Yesterday was such a strange day. So strange that I will leave it at that, and simply say that the emotions of a woman can be terribly uncertain and profound. I am sure you can appreciate and understand that. Now throw Artsy into the mix and, should I even go there? Night and Day and everywhere in between…..
Besides being a strange emotional day yesterday, I found a box full of some of my own favorite strange things. The most wonderful find was a booklet I have been toting around forever from one of Alexander Petrov's shows. I had already dissected the booklet, and have decided on a few more to frame. This was just what I needed for that empty wall in my loftish space. I know the images are a little dark, but they amuse me.



Back to night and day moods …
And speaking of the "complexity of women," and for some reason, in keeping with the clownish mood…I recently came across this painting (below) in one of my thrifting excursions. Now, in my "personal opinion," as well as being the reason I brought it home, this painting screams Anais Nin. Now, remember that is merely my own "personal opinion." And, what I feel is more like, the spirit of Anais Nin emerges through this painting… Pink and lovely yet dark and tragic.
One summer, many years ago, I spent months reading several Anais Nin biographies (another quirk, I only like to read harcover books, I will do paperback, but I don't like it). One in particular was very very long, and quite a grueling read. Half of the time, I wanted to shake Anais Nin and say, "Why are you doing this to yourself? You are going to drive yourself mad." At the same time, you realize that is what made her so interesting and intriguing. One thing for sure, she was relentless in her pursuit of getting her work to the public. I admire her strength for never ever giving up. Up until her last breath, she would not give up on her work. Of course, I am quite sure that she drove her little body into an anxiety pit.
If you know her story, you understand all of this. She is interesting and yes, very very complex. I can't even get into it all, I tend to feel a mixture of interest, enchantment and annoyance, all at once, for Anais Nin. But, the point here is, this painting had an Anais Nin quality looming in the depths of it "to me," so here it sits, waiting for a space on the wall in my loftishSpace/Studio…
I find that as I get older I want less and less of all of that drama we can put ourselves through in my life. I want simple peace and simple everyday happiness. My mental transformation from my early and mid-twenties, to entering my thirties, is immense. I am enjoying this change so much. I used to relish in strange concerns. Where now I want zero strange concerns, and am more interested in an organized studio. Now this to me, Bliss.
So yes, today the things that make me smile from ear to ear are simply organzing my studio and getting all my jewelry trays in the closet. This closet was a dark dungeon pit when I got my hands on it. I cut the shelves shorter so I could walk in and put in some halogen lights, that of course, would not turn on for this photo. Typical. Now, it might not look organized to you, but to me it is in perfectly proper order, ready for me to finish packing my promised gifts for my little elves, and get creating. And yes, the red typwriter is now out of the car, and ready to use. I think six weeks in the car was long enough for this poor thing. Knowme is trying it out for us…
I got this little cabinet (above) in Prescott, Arizona last summer for $40. I am thinking that maybe I should leave it just the way it is…It will for sure get a few paint splatters…But, it is white metal and I don't have a problem with those vintage decals decoupaged on…I think it is charming.
Now what to do with the old typewriter????








i too went through an anais nin obsession and still love her. it collowed my collette obsession. have you read her as well? maybe we should take a trip to paris? a time traveling trip as i would specifically like to go to paris in the 60s. what do you think?
and i too feel totally over the drama i thrived on in my 20s. i was terrible…always creating crazy situations just so thati could obsess over them and over-analyze them with my equally drama-crazed buddies.
lol, I think you will get a lot of this, but yes, my Anais Nin obsession was quite long an dominated my early-mid 20’s….
I read and re-read Henry and June until it almost fell apart, became obsessed, underlined things, quoted it, and felt very artsy and avant garde in New Hampshire.
I created my own little world of drama and heartache while trying to find my “Henry”
lol
I find that clown a bit less frightening. And the red typewriter and fancy gnome are DIVINE! Your studio is so bright and vibrant and YOU! I love the pears on the carpet.
I hope you get to feeling better and if you want to talk, I’m here for you. I know what its like to have melancholy days.
Oh yes, Anais is lovely…I was also really into Ayn Rand…she’s great too. Makes one realize that women are quite complicated. I’m always trying to push off that I’m super simple, but I wonder now if anyone really buys that?
What a cute little cabnet! And you found it up here? Wonderful…yes, you must come up again soon, and visit the shop as well…it’s a hoot!
(then we can have band practice too…hmmm, I’m gonna’ have to limber up if I’m gonna’ contort like those girls!)
Wow – you are the collector supreme! That closet of jewelry?!? I would love to spend an afternoon in there (although that might complicate my life, and I, too, am striving for simplicity as I start my thirties).
thanks for your comment on my blog today! Your closet of jewels is sure wonderful! And I am really liking your NIN inspired clown – moody and french all at the same time…
I never went through an Anais stage, I seem to be one of the few. I love that typewriter!!!
Ive never read any Anais book but Ive always wanted to…that portrait is a great thrift find!!
I love your studio – so colourful & looks very organised, bravo to you…your rug is amazing!! Oh I can see Knowme…hello Knowme!!
you could make the old typewriter keys into jewelry with your organized supplies… 😉
I would like to put my hands into your closet……:-)
get yer touche over HERE and help me organize! hehe!
I NEED a kick in the touche to get my space organized!
less Drama in our lives, AMEN!
but ain’t gonna happen…
love the night and day moods artwork..i’m definetely the former right now!
I find this REALLY intriguing, that so many of us “artsy chicks” have Anais in common for our “20’s”! I wonder what draws us to it, makes us connect with her so at that point in our lives. It’s interesting to ponder, that she somehow put into words that feeling of the NEEDING to create….i dunno…i am a dork…i just find it really wonderful that so many of us have this in common. And I COMPLETELY agree about entering my thirties feel the need to shed all the drama and complications of my twenties…i wouldn’t go back for NOTHIN’! Not even Henry Miller! LOL!
I love the painting, and envy your organization! That is a skill i can’t quite master. You creative space is always such and inspiration to me…as are you! 🙂
looove the typewriter, the spooky clowns and I’m absolutely envious of your organization.
Simple peace and happiness are what I live for. Whenever I get stressed out, Rodrigo always says” Think Tea”. One night he and I were relaxing and sitting watching TV with cups of tea. It was simple, and happy, and peaceful. We recognized the moment of calm and remind each other of it whenever the locura of everyday life gets us down. Was knowme typing a letter to his friends and family? I am glad you are organizing, it makes things less crazy and you can easily find your keys.
I think it is only in my thirties that my life has started to make sense to me, that I didn’t need drama and ‘difficult moments’ to feel alive, that I could see that the small things, the details, are the important things and that to feel settled and secure and safe does not have to mean the excitement is over. Adventures can still be found! I adore your studio Vanessa, and I hope today is full of incredible moments for you.
I say the typwriter gets one of your spectacular makeovers!!! I love complex artist women (of which you are certainly one!). Surprisingly ,I do not know much about Anais Nin. My dark heroines were always Frida and Slyvia. I recently picked up “I shock myself” the autobiography of Beatrice Wood (mother of dadaism). I have not yet read it ,but I believe she hangs with Anais. Your studio is SCRUMTRULESCENT !!!!!!
I love that night and day painting and your new typewriter!! I think most people seek simplicity as they go through life, it’s a culling process. To be surrounded with freedom, a sense of contentment and confidence later in life. Organising can also be therapeutic process, good on you.