Over-the-Top Imagination

My summer read came to me in the airport bookstore while our flight was delayed. It had been a very long time since I had the pleasure of perusing through the recent arrivals in the bookstore and so I enjoyed the unexpected time and soaked up the words around me. Out of three books I wanted to read right then and there, one did accompany me out of the store and onto the plane.

"The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in 
a Ship of her own Making"

I feel in love with each wonderful visual that came to my mind as I read page after page. And because I was so delighted in this so very over-the-top imaginary story, I marked the selected page of inspiration with a turned  corner, either up or down, depending on where on the page my mind was caught. 

The other night before I went to bed, I went back through the recently finished book; back to those turned corner pages. I wanted to catalog those specific sentences or phrases so that I could enjoy these favorites a while longer, outside of the boundaries of the book.  I feel these phrases or sentences, in and of themselves, are a wonderful story all on their own! I find they conjure up such a strong image by themselves they aren't in need or in want of a supporting cast of additional words...... So with pen and paper in hand I wrote down the following:

1. "Several small clouds skipped huffily out of their path."
2. "A girl in want of a Leopard still has her feet."
3. "She folded up the stirring very carefully and put it away at the bottom of her mind."
4. "....a cauldron full of tomorrow."
5. "The sun hitched up her trousers and soldiered on up into the sky."
6. "...grief pack away for the duration of a bath."
7. "....the ears of folk with legs and noses and eyebrows are not made to hearken to the weeping of those with inseams and button holes and lapels."
8. "...past a moon like a bony knee."
9. "...the movers of our tales."
10. "...good grief and all gallows!"
11. "....nothing but string and time."

Aren't these delightful? Which is your favorite?  I would love to know if you have one!

P.S. on the link above, you must watch the "trailer" at the bottom of the page. It does an excellent job of giving one the flavor of the story - not to mention share with you the talents of the illustrator.  :)

Millimeters and centimeters

I'm becoming acquainted, and I'm sure by the time the last page has turned, good friends with millimeters and centimeters.  This delicious, eye candy book caught my eye at a local bookstore the other week. I am in love with the itty-bitty detail of it all found in the fruits colors, textures and forms. And to think some of these are just a few millimeters in length is really quite mind-boggling! And then to realize these works of art (if I may call them such) actually exist!! As with most things in the natural world - it just takes time to observe and really see what is already around us to then be able to learn to appreciate the simpleness in life.....

See, it's all about the process...

I picked up another book (there is nothing like a book to reinforce a line of thought/possibility/idea), "Printmaking + Mixed Media" by Dorit Elisha (you can also visit her blog here). Printmaking was my focus in college and I firmly feel the approach I learned back then with this medium has influenced my creations today in painting with oil and now in wax. In chapter one she easily sums up the reasoning behind my approach: "Perhaps the best part of printmaking is the process-even before you achieve the final print, the journey there is very satisfying. There is an element of discovery, mystery, and surprise, as well as a great award at the end of the process....once you add other artistic media to the mix, it becomes an endless celebration of creative possibilities!"
What fun it all is!

I received this book for Christmas from my husband. A book I have been interested in reading and now that I have begun, I am excited to continue. Only having started, I am motivated to integrate the ideas/suggestions/tips from the author into my own studio/artist lifestyle. She especially caught me with "....your studio time should be your most sacred, nonnegotiable routine. Neglecting your studio is unacceptable. You're an artist and artists make art...." And I have to say I appreciate this kick in the pants approach. Thank you, Alyson Stanfield!

as I promised.....

Here is one of ten photographs I was able to take the time it took to take - what do you think? This is one of my favorite piglets - somewhat black (such a great texture and color!), with dingy white stockings and a star on the face. They are so curious in their characteristics! and I can't help but love their back-end, too!

I just finished reading "Hit by a Farm", written by Minnesota author, Catherine Friend. Her style of writing, not too mention the titles for the chapters in the book (i.e. "even my bra was more supportive", "dancing with goats in the moonlight"....), proved to be entertaining and insightful (and at times, bittersweet) as to what it is like to go from city girl to country girl. It all comes down to the balancing act of life. I won't give away the details so you may enjoy the summer read all on your own!