Whose to say what the imagination is? Or what it feels like to be consumed in an imaginative moment. Or even whether a person truly escapes to actual places through their imagination?
Seems, imagination is one of those things that is completely sacred and tailored to each and every one of us… Don't you think?
Tailored in an ever changing frock, laced and buttoned and layered, and gathered in just the way your mind's eye sees it…
What if, just what if, when your mind wanders, it really is taking you through tunnels, roads and caves that are portals to other places…
Sometimes voyages in my dreams or in my drifting thoughts are so real, they seem to send back evidence with me from wherever it is that I have been…
I think there have been very special real life characters who wrote very special tales because they knew, in their heart of hearts, that they had actually visited other worldy places…
How else could their tales touch us so deeply? Perhaps because many of us have actually placed a toe or two in those places they have introduced us to?
Yes, I am certain of it…
And, isn't it lucky that we can tap into bits of eachother's imagination? How brilliant is that? Sublime…
I was thinking these very thoughts, when there was a tap at my door. A faint tap, just as the sun was setting, and the sky had turned teal and pink, scattered with ballooning & billowing clouds drifting by. Clouds that had been over oceans, and forests and plains. Clouds that now danced over the desert…
It was Camellia Nightingale, tugging on my 7 layered skirt…
"Oh, hello Camellia. When I met you in that little village in my dream last night and asked you to stop by for tea, I never really thought you would," I said.
"Although, I am delighted beyond words that you did."
She even wore in her hair, a flower from my garden. A flower I had snipped and placed in water the night before…
Isn't that what happens? When you dream, your imagination weaves together all sorts of happenings and people and places, making a whole new story and voyage for you to escape to while you sleep… I mean, really, who thought up the concept of dreaming? Who gifted us such a treasure? Another applause for brilliance 😉
How ever else would I have met Camellia?
However, I veer. As I was saying, Camellia stopped by, and asked me if there was a way I could take her picture. You see, she wanted to capture all sorts of magic that was erupting from her tiny cup of tea…
I took out my camera, and tried to take a few pictures of her, but nothing appeared on the film.
So, I looked her in the eye and said, "Camellia, there is no way for me to capture you on film, I will have to paint you."
She nodded in acceptance.
"Can you sit long enough with those sparkles dancing around you, for me to paint you," I asked?
Again, she nodded….
So, Camellia stayed for two days, until the paint brushes had captured her on canvas…
And when she turned to leave, I could have sworn, a few sparkles flew right around my head and made my toes tingle…
I think she said she was on her way to visit Peter, something about Neverland…
You have been there, isn't that what you said?
(Camellia can be found in my online shop)
This is one of my favorite versions of Peter Pan.
I must be off to do some of my duties, but not before I bang on piano keys and cut fresh basil…
Oh, I had forgotten to say that over the past few weeks and even today, I have been popping unexpected little original pieces of art in my shop. Cakes and fruits and little faces too. I plan to offer all sorts of wee paintings in my shop so the shelves don't get too bare.
Well, I best be off. A white rabbit told me I was having a party in a few weeks. A party? What, when, where? Oh yes, yes, I am, I am… Must get to party planning right away!
See you super duper sooooooon 😉
🖤 ,V
Oh what a gorgeous lady Camellia Nightingale is, with such a a magical air around her, you have captured her beautifully! I adore your collection of books, in fact they may have come from my very own bookshelves and I do believe you are correct, we do recognise these places others write about…that is why these seem so familiar to us and why we read them to children before they go to sleep, so they are comforted by the familiar….yes well i could go on but I have tea parties to plan don’t you know?
Kiss Noises to you and Miss Camellia,
Linda
magically pretty!
I need to put on a 7 layered skirt too and see who comes to visit.
she is delightful! off to visit your shop.
%*_*%
oohhh-hello little bird-can i have a glass of lemonade with you….i need you to take a little lookie at something -Florence and the Machine (rabbit heart ) on you tube-grab my hand I’m coming with you-singing and skipping love Jo.
I have just found your blog via Chelsea Ann’s blog, and I am just transfixed by your magical world, I have subscribed, and very much look forward to joining you, and relishing in your delightful fanciful posts!
Camellia is lovely!
I also love that version of Peter Pan … I”ve seen it too many time for a grown man to admit!
I love every version of Peter Pan. It is one of my favorite stories even if Peter breaks all of the girls’ hearts and refuses to grow up at least enough to fall in love with one of them. (I knew a few boys just like him). But I must admit to this being one of my favorite versions as well. It is so lush. I LOVE this Tinkerbell, she is my favorite of all the Tinkerbells.
Erin 🙂
Camellia is absolutely enchanting! And I’m soooooooo looking forward to the Mad Tea Party (and thinking I need to do some sort of tea inspired giveaway in honor of the day!)
As always, you spark the imagination….
~ Carolee
Good morning O Fanciful One!
Your little friend Camellia Nightingale is simply and utterly enchanting just like the weence girl who captured her so beautifully. But I’m curious to know, how ever did she manage to sit still for two whole days while there are so many wonderful places and lands to explore outside your front door? Did she visit the Gypsy Garden and take a dip in the tub? Or dream beneath the Mesquite tree that we’ve all come to love? Or frolic in the field with the little bunny bunns? What fun the two of you must have had!
I hope today brings more magical friends your way :).
xoxo Cori
V~
Oh, Camilla is just absolutely divine!! Oh and I just love love love Peter Pan. Such a enchanting story!!
Have a fun filled day!!
Kylee
p.s. I’m watching “Eternal Children”…sooo fascinating!!
p.s.s. I’m not sure why I feel the need to use exclamation points after every sentence….(???????)…..but I do anyway!!
Imagination, you can always tell who has one and those who seem to have lost it. One of my favorite things is being around children who let the imagination flow.
We were watching Peter Pan (Hook) last night. 🙂
Oh Beloved Vanessa. That was lovely. I love Peter’s grin, how it grows across his face. I was ever so delighted watching…until they both stood on the window sill and much to my surprise, it brought stinging tears to my eyes. Their simple physical beauty at that age, just between childhood and teenhood…the innocence,the sheer joy of just being…On an unrelated note, last night I dreamt that I was the Bachelorette!!! I did NOT want to wake up! **blows kisses** Deborah
I completely understand…
I love your whimsical nature and hope to create something special for the Tea Party. I love tea parties!
Just PERFECT!!!!~
Oh!! She is ever so elegant, Miss Camellia, is!! I love these portraits your doing!! 🙂
Oh what journeys I have been on…even when I am awake. I seem to find the portal and whoosh…I am off!! Some may seem me odd but I have not a care. I sing a tune and continue on my merry way.
Hugging you
SueAnn
Stunning painting, this is one of my favorites you’ve done. You are so talented! *I’m secretly sooo jealous..well, not so secretly now* I adore Peter Pan, it’s a magical yet sad tale, and that is my favorite version as well.
You never cease to amaze me, V.
She’s beautiful! So glad she sat for you to paint.
Have a great day,
Tracy M.
I absolutely love Camellia! The whimsical, bright colors, the dancing sparkles, the beautiful flower in her hair… you’ve captured her beauty and poise perfectly.
Camellia is enchanting and it’s wonderful she sat still for you to paint her these past two days.
Reading to me is like stepping into another world. Like the author is taking you on a guided journey.
Thank goodness for our imaginations and books.
Oh V, Camellia is quite lovely and love all of your other oil paintings in the shop! If you see her again, please have her stop in to see me for tea…why, I’m having some now actually 😉
Jamie 🙂
Ooohhh Veevala!
How utterly beautiful and serene looking is Ms. Camellia! Love the sparkles flying round, too. You remind me of that song by the Police, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, heehee.
I would have never ever survived my childhood if it hadnt been for books and imagination! Same for my adulthood-wait, am I grown up? Naahh….
Darnie darn! I wish I’d caught Ms. C before she left for Never never land-I have always wanted to let Wendy know, I know EXACTLY how she feels, living with lots of lost boys!
I am peeking in your shop every other hour, I just know there will be something for me very sooon 🙂
Hugs and luv~ ~ ~
xoxoxoRoo
vanessa vanessa vanessa!!!!!!!!! i love her, i already posted at flickr = she so reminds me of a bit of you and a bit of me combined, on our starriest nights, when we are feeling at our most wondrous! she is utterly adorable in every way.
i love the photos too, as always, and now i am off to sample the peter pan thingy. i so appreciate links to such things, indeed:)
x
So lovely…as always.
I think one of the greatest things about the human mind is our ability to imagine. We know how to separate it from what’s real. But, ironically, the imagination is often what keeps us sane.
Love the sparkles!
Camilla is so very pretty <3
I have been in that longing mood for children's books lately. Some of my favorite were in your first few photos.
I love Peter Pan, and that is I think the best film versino so far!
Oh! I'm so excited about the Mad Tea Party. I've been making plans as well...I can't wait!
Yes Yes…Particularly when I am reading. Such as reading about a black bird and one flies over…is that what you mean? Or is it like Camellia when you were creating her and she explained how to make her? Both?
I love it when fantasy and reality collide!
She is delightful! I posted about the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales I have been reading. The illustrations reminded me of your art! I hope you get a chance to see them. The post is still on my front page! Have a wonderful evening, sweet friend!
There is a movie that I can’t remember the title of to save my life. I keep thinking of it when I read your posts. It starred Demi Moore years and years ago. In this movie she had two lives. One during the day and then another every night when she went to sleep. This character was so serious about both lives being real that she would lock herself in her room at night with strict instructions that no one bother her so that she could go to this alternate reality. You don’t know until the end of the movie if it is all real or fantasy. If I could just remember the title of that movie! I’ve been thinking and thinking!!
She is soooo beautiful!!!
Camellia is so lovely and I am so amazed by all of the wonderful, magical things you’ve shown me in the short time I’ve been visiting. I had never seen that version of Peter Pan and I just love it! It seems that when my boys grew up that I lost most of the magic in my life. Thank you for bringing it back into my life, I am forever grateful that in a gray time in my life I found my way to your enchanted gypsy garden and magical world. You are an incredible guide, artist, storyteller, photographer, magician…much still to be discovered.
Every single time I come I fall a little more in love with the beauty of your spirit Miss V. You are captivating and that Miss Camellia is a lovely soul. “portals to other places…” that is what this place is…and if there is a skeleton key involved you know that I am so there!
” Who gifted us such a treasure?” Thank God that He gifted you with such a wonderful imagination and thank you for gifting us with the treasures that is you.
Enjoy the day! I am off to play with beads for a few days. I will miss reading about your escapades.
xo
E
Yours is a blog that I look forward to reading, whenever I have a moment to just emerge myself. It’s fun, entertaining, and very inspirational. It puts my blog to shame. Where on earth do you find the time for all that you do, and still post such elaborate tails with wonderful imagery?
Thanks for taking the time…
Oh how nice. Camellia is just lovely with a flower on her hair.It must be a real enchanting moment with her. And goodie! she stayed with you for two days? Lucky you. Creatures like her we only get to meet in dreams and sometimes if we get luckier only get a glimpse.
Our imaginations are such nice escape. And I really love meeting people who are a child at heart. 🙂 I wish I won’t lose that gift 🙂
Li
I love Camellia, Peter Pan, enchanted music and the path I follow when you spin your fairy tale magic. I have posted about your party, and I have been busy painting the roses red. I found a song for my post that reminds me of how when we follow your imagination we can’t help but be inspired.
Miss Vanessa you are enchanting. Stop by when you get a chance.
Karen
I believe daydreams and imagination are not only reserved for childhood but shall remain with me forever. Love the enchanting Peter Pan clip. Miss camella is lovely and her magic so inspiring.
I’m off to do some party planning and find the perfect outfit for the mad tea. See you then…
x-jj
You parties must be ‘off the hook’!!!! You create such wonderful, detailed, delightful blog entries…you must spend a lot of time on them. I think I can speak for all your visitors in that we greatly appreciate the inspiration and diversion from out little lives!
Ah, yes, Camellia is extremely dreamy! A delightful painting, Miss V. Dreams can be quite inspiring, at times. xoxox
“Cakes and fruits and little faces.”
Magic indeed.
My favorite Peter Pan was produced back in 1960 and starred Mary Martin…..maybe because that was my introduction to Peter Pan.
My sisters and I would don our flannel nightgowns and run about our bed rooms and the upstairs hall, bouncing across the beds, pretending we could fly.
Have a most beautiful day.
What a delight to come over to your blog and read your posts 🙂
Camellia is gorgeous!! Love the expression on her face.
I’m also planning for the Mad Tea Party!! Getting invitations ready to send out throughout the corners of “Fantasy Whispers”, who knows who might make it and what they will wear.
Miss Camelia is so lovely! I have missed this style of yours. Isn’t it fun that you have so many different paths for your art to take. Doesn’t get boring that way right? I am still trying to decide whether to commit to the tea party or not. I have been working on some wee mice and their little house. Perhaps they should have a tea party. Have a lovely! XOXO
I loved the Peter Pan video. All the little fairies at the end. Camelia is of course very beautiful. I’ll have to stop by to see how your party turns out.
What a lovely painting! I love Camellia!