Even though my loftish space is one door away from my studio… I think I should perhaps put a cot under the little white cottage table in the studio and move right in. I have been in my little space in the world, hidden away. Making friends with little characters. Some have such deep personalities. So much going on in little worlds appearing on canvas.
All this talk means my "A Fanciful Twist" Etsy shop, will be getting an update tonight. Here are some photos of the new art pieces…
The name of this piece is "Cupid’s Revenge." I See the girl as Psyche, like a butterfly, her heart, fluttering. Full of unexpected love… This is a larger scale piece. And, a very wonderful square shape. Quite an enjoybale size to work with actually. 24" x 24" x 1.75"
The canvas was prepared by decoupaging old paper bags onto the clean surface. They were a smaller and thinner size than the average super market brown bags. I found a package of this lovely stuff in the old canning shed that is now my gallery. Why is it that even sandwich bags were better in the good old days? The paper is almost like specialty paper. Crunchy and crisp, with a lovely hue…
I had fun drawing this girl. She has alot of movement in her… I also had cupid swirling in my mind. What I do is draw the pieces on parchment card stock, with pencil. I then cut them out and decoupage them to the canvas. Like a paper doll of sorts…
I think I really enjoyed working with this size because it reminds me that my roots in art are as a large scale painter. I know this size is not that large, but it is a small reminder. Works I do for people in the interior design realm are quite large, and so you have a lot of room to let your composition unravel… Said pieces are usually destined to live on a big blank wall. Fun stuff, that large scale work. Although, sitting with a smaller piece, and getting into the details with my favorite size #1 brush is quite satisfying. I guess it is safe to say, I love it all. From big to small, just as long as I am creating…
The next piece is titled, "The Mime’s Daughters."
I have this vision that the first mime painting I did, "The Rescuing of the Mime," may have been their mother, as a girl… Being rescued by the hot air balloons… She had lived a whole adventure, in her own right. And now, the story changes, years later, as there are now two daughters who must continue with the show. I think the mime’s are also expected to do "audience gasping" tricks. A tad forlorn, they are…
Although, you migt hear the story about who they are, being told a bit different. That would be fascinating as well.
I am really enjoying the papers and buidling on the canvas. It is messy, but so fun. Sometimes I run out to do a quick errand and things happen like, I hand my credit card to the sales girl and I notice I have glue dried and scaled up and down the lower half of the outside of my arm. Or, someone comes up to me and tells me I am bleeding. As I have red paint on my toes and again, outside of my arm or elbow… Sheesh.
The last girl to share tonight was an absolute charmer. She is one of the "Super Bake Girls", and appeared so unexpectedly. Chatting me up as I was painting bows in her hair. Only, she was not speaking English. So, I would nod and smile. I would softly whisper yes in every language I could think of. Dah, Ne, Si, Oui, Ja. I think she understood me in the end… And, I think she said her name was Olivie.
So, we will call her, "Super bake Girl, Olivie." The tablecloth in this piece is actually fabric. The brown base of the table got cropped out of this photo, but there is a table base… Olivie’s skirt is made out of many layers of paper. Has she charmed you too? I want her piece of carved tree, candelabra.
I really have to try to not forget all of the different styles & mediums I like to work in. It is so easy to get comfortable in one style and forget the ink drawings or even the oil pieces. Olivie is not a paperdoll. She is drawn and painted onto the canvas.
I think Olivie is one of those girls, who chats and chats, then just as a guest comes in, she becomes quite quiet, until she warms up to you.. And then it is all chatter and laughter, once again. Oh, and she is on one of those super extra thick canvas’.
That is all I have to say for now as I scadaddle. On my way to update the shop. See you soon!!! xxo
Oooh, first to comment! Maybe that means first catch this beautiful glimpse? I love them all so much I think my heart hurts! They just keep getting more and more lovely. I am so glad you keep making them, although I have to say I was happy to see a super-bake girl again, seems like it has been awhile and I like that style too. Oh, Miss Vanessa you truly are a wonder! Thanks for sharing!
p.s. Are there going to be prints?
Girl!!! You know how much I adore these music inspired dresses! For sure.
So you know that crown thing? Not so much. Got any other ideas?
Wow you have been busy! They’re all fantastic, I just love your style!
the mime’s daughters piece is more wonderful that words can describe….love it, love it, love it!!!
i love that they all have stories that extend beyond the canvas! beautiful in so many ways.
Dear Miss Busy Busy Bee….these are all so,so lovely! I do that too….make “paper dolls” and cut them out to glue to the canvas…..Actually I just finished a little work yesterday with that technique! : ) It’s always such a delight to come here! Hooray!
Oh my darlin’,
oh my darlin’,
oh my darlin’ Vanessa V.
These are stunning and full of magic,
to one day own one would glory be!
XOXOXOXOXO
Lucky me! For once my insomnia paid off and I was fortunate enough to spy your beautiful new paintings shortly after you added them to your shop. And so your original painting of “The Mime’s Daughters” will soon be coming to live with me!
Thank you so much for creating such beautiful and unique pieces Vanessa…you are truly talented! 🙂
I’m running out of new and interesting ways to say that what you’re doing is new and interesting. Hmm…
That’ll do, Vanessa. That’ll do.
they are beautiful, as always! (do you stretch your own canvases, vanessa?)
calling all other lisas, shall we start a fan club? we can call it the lisas 🙂 some fancy stuff coming to live at my house too! yipee!
i am most struck by those mimes. do they feel compelled to perform? or are they conscripted to? how often i find myself executing a million pirouettes too. sigh…
Wow these are so beautiful! Makes me want to go and be all creative! xxxxx
Lovely as always. The Mime Daughters is especially nice. 🙂
I am always amazed at the movement in your work!!! And I love that your creations have a story!!! When I was a girl I would draw little girls, imaging their story’s!!! I think I should do it again!!! They wouldn’t be any where as good as yours, but it’s always good to streach your imagination!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your work, you are an insperation to many!!!!
I think I have a lot in common with Olivie.
Beautiful, beautiful work, as always.
yummy here, yummy there, everywhere you go yummy – even with a small child screaming…
how about a dip in the cool lake with 100 Canadian geese?
xox – eb.
Oh V you’ve been busy in your studio!! love the new pieces
so much texture and feeling and the colours are so dreamy!!
Love the Superbake girls too!!
please don’t ever stop creating… these lovely ladies you make are so wonderfull… your pieces are always in my favorites on etsy… your such an inspiration to me … i love your new pieces!
sheri
Your new works are fantastic Vanessa, I’m really enjoying seeing how your style is developing. Go girl!!!
these are so beautiful!!!
each one of them is a heart-stealer!!
Your new work is beautiful! I especially love “Super bake Girl, Olivie”! She’s so pretty!
Okay I’m thinking you go out in public with the bloody elbow to attract attention…the attention comes and you whip out your fanciful etsy ad on a card…tell them to go! Go home now and get the VISA out. And put down those silly groceries for heavens sake.
Love the art today Vanessa mi amiga curiosa!!!
You talented, talented lady…you have done it again…”The Mime’s Daughters” is wonderful, I love the cycle in the background…is it a Uni or a Bone Shaker?
I love dear Psyche ! One of my faves,that would have been me pouring hot oil on his shoulder so I could glimpse his face!….but I think to glimpse your wonderful art is prize enough!
Lovely work! I can’t decide which i love more! Olivie is whispering to me…
Love the new work!
Oh they are all so Pretty!! I love them all! I am going o have to get one soon I now have a place in my room for one. Now it is just deciding!
love Erin~
I LOVE the new pieces especially the top two paperdolls, oh, I need to save some money to purchase 😛 Olivie’s personality sounds like me…
Amazing Vanessa… I love all of them sooo much!!!
oh dear, your little mimes, their sad petite faces make me want to cry! But they are very beautiful. They just call to the melancholy side of me, you know? I suppose it is your melancholy side that brought them to life? And I love your story of Miss Olivie. I think I would have to say she is rica-lecker-deliceuse-delicious 🙂
As always, gorgeous creations with such style, light and meaning! I really like Olivie and her lovely table. I laughed a lot when reading your email about men and dresses. xoxox
Dear Ms. Fanciful,
Your new work is Spectacular, Stupendous, and very Supercalafragalisticexpialladocious!
Cupid’s Revenge happens to be my favorite.
H! Mon Cheri!!! You such a buzeee artiste! Ahh..if only I had some of your passion!
All are the most splendid works. I am in love! You must have a hoot in your studio creating these awesome pictures. How can you possibly part with them?
xo Blue
I concur with Constance…”Cupid’s Revenge” has it all…
I love hearing the stories of these wonderful pieces. I hear you about the glue scaled on your arm – been there!
You’re killing me here. Can I trade in my glitter for torn paper? Really, really, something.
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Dunno really but yet again you amaze us with your beautifull art.
im smitten by the Mime’s Daughters, they must meet my Magicians Daughters and have some weird tea!
love:)
Hello have just found you via Di at Designers Block who has been featuring your work which I think is just amazing! I’ve had just the tinest peek “through the secret keyhole” but will be back to find out more about your world.
i love them all but super bake girl is fantastic… i love her cakes!
These girls are just getting richer and richer….I love the mime girls, the angle of her legs.
I am off soon to drive across this country…will share our adventures….and be back soon.
Hi, unsure about my emails…others are having problems too. I’ll look into it. I am leaving you this comment in place of an email because I am not near my other computer!
Off to Toronto again today to the Ex, and then to Ontario Place tonight for the Chinese Lantern festival! I will email you later and try to correct the problem. Have a super-bake day!!
xo
Blue
Vanessa, this new work is lovely. So inspiring. I’d have a hard time not touching it, tho! 😀
Oh Vanessa, you’ve done it again. Your mime girls have stolen my heart. sigh
Amazing and wonderful pieces I am completely in love with the luscious layers of these pieces they all just make me so happy!
XOX
Kristen
What beauties.
Good luck with the selling.
These pieces are STUNNING!!!! Beautiful work mu friend! Love, Jamie
My goodness you are one busy painter! It was nice to finally have a moment to catch up with your blog today after weeks of being without the internet. I love seeing how productive you’ve been. Your Etsy update is giving me a kick in the tush to do the same.
i really love your new works, vanessa! i like how you manipulate the papers to give them a feel of movement. i want them all!
i loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove superbake girl! love, love, love!!! i can’t wait to visit your loft in person!!!! it will be sooooooooooooooooooo fun.
Lovely work – a Fanciful Twist is inspired!
Beautiful work!