On the wall across from my desk hangs a painting of a young woman with long red hair. She's wearing a blue hat with yellow-orange flowers lining the band. Her heart-shaped face has rosy cheeks and dark red lips forming a tiny smile. Her eyes are closed.

Where is she? What is she doing?

She looks like she's daydreaming of something pleasant, or smelling a sweet fragrance, or picturing a loved one's face. She might be reliving a favorite memory, or praying, or getting ready to accept a surprise from a friend.

Whatever she's doing, she has an air of grace and beauty about her.

I bought this painting a few years ago at an arts festival. My husband and I had a lengthy conversation with the artist, Elaine Rose Lanoue. Elaine told us then that she wanted her Christian faith to shine through her life and to offer hope to those around her, whether they're customers or fellow artists.

I enjoy many types of art. In fact, our home is filled with folk and primitive art, abstract and fine art. When I saw this painting, I thought of wishes and whimsy, joy and delight, my little girl and my girlfriends, weather that turns cheeks pink, and my love of hats. I couldn't resist bringing the painting home. And every time I look at her, that young woman's face stirs my imagination.

What type of art--whether visual, music, dance, theater, or something else--stirs your imagination? Do you have a favorite piece of art? Let me know either in the comments area below this post or on Facebook here.