Inspiration Monday: La Belle Époque & Art Nouveau

One of my favorite things to do is look through old photographs and admire the styles of the past. And like many of you, I have a favorite era I'm naturally drawn to - an era whose style and mood inspires my creativity. My era of choice is Paris' Belle Époque, also known as the “Golden Age."

La Belle Epoch was such a beautiful time in history. Gorgeous paintings, amazing jewelry and ornate architecture was everywhere. The art, the fashion, and just the city, as a whole, was so eye-catching. The Belle Epoch was a period characterized by hopefulness, a greater appreciation for literature, theater, music and the arts-- basically, all the things I hold dear to my heart. Visually, it was a feast for the eyes.

My favorite art movement of the Belle Époque era is Art Nouveau. I love the way the images flow with such movement and ease. One of my favorite painters of this era is Mucha, who incorporated beautiful figures, nature and lots of line work into his pieces.

I think that in one way or another, we all draw inspiration from history. It's hard not to be swept away by the beauty that comes from the past. Needless to say, a lot of the things I make are inspired by this era. If I could jump into a time machine and visit Paris in the late 1800s, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Do you have a favorite era that inspires you?

-Karlin