I have been in a land far, far away. But, oh so close. In my studio, completely inside of a painting. Intertwined, in conversation, sequestered by choice, with a visitor (or two) of the not in the flesh and not everyone sees them variety…
I figure, since you already think I am a nutcake, I can share this fact.
There have been a few breaks in between said paint immersion for sleep, short piano breaks, a bite and most importantly afternoon skies.
And boy oh boy, have the skies been good this past week. I had to pinch myself a few times to make sure I really wasn't dreaming or lost in some rabbit hole…
I love looking out to the west. Everyday I run out to watch the sunset, and I sort of get sad if I miss it.
I stand here, gazing. I hear chickens, dogs, a cow that my neighbor keeps as a pet and the distant tune of the ice-cream truck (wish he came down my street).
I am especially in awe of the clouds these days. I want to ask questions in child-like abandon…
Does the sea live inside of the sky? How does it get up there? Will it fall out if someone shakes it?
Can the clouds see us? Do they have a message?
I stood in my yard, feeling myself in complete awe of the sky. More than ever. I climbed up the ladder on to the roof. Okay, I only went up half way and got scared, but still, it took me a bit closer to the puffy delightful things…
As a giant bird flew above me, I thought – thank goodness I have my camera. This is just way too cliché for anyone to believe…
I can almost hear myself now, as whoever I am telling looks at me like I am fibbing/nuts/loony.
"So, there were these clouds, like 3 different kinds, and they were puffing like this, and then swirling like that, and then other little ones chugging along like smoke stacks, and then, then, there was this giant bird, and it flew through the clouds and winked at me, and then, then the sky turned pink, but an unreal pink, and there was a glowing tunnel from the sky to the ground and and and, I think I saw….."
So you see. All I can say is, thank heavens for my digital camera. But, wait, you saw the same sky too, right?
I even could have sworn there were encrypted messages in the sky. But Mister Lovee wasn't falling for that. I asked, is this Hebrew? Hmmm he says, marginal…
Then I go, OH wait, those are the initials of my family members!! And maybe even my Dad's name.
I told my Dad he should consider visiting my blog. But now if he sees this, well, he might have me committed… (not really, my Dad is super cool)
Speaking of being committed, I just saw In Dreams. Did you see that?
So, all I can say is. Thank goodness for this week's sky. It has been intense, all this painting… I might share the piece I painted later this week. I still have more work to do on it today.
I stay away from certain things. Like super detailed/realistic paintings that make me insane. I have a shed full of more realistic portraits/places, some unfinished, dating back to 1997 - and a couple finished ones from '93. I have gone through many art voyages since I started painting at 11. Whimsical, abstract, huge scale angels and super huge scale wall art or home decor type paintings when I was in interior design. High and low fire clay, polymer clay and doll making… And, my jewelry which I have been making and doing shows for since 1992, but have not put online.
When I started blogging I was back to whimsical and free.
There is so much to share. And, it is funny, I have shared mostly just my whimsical art here, and my doodles… But perhaps I should start taking canvases out of the packed full shed? I don't know…
I bet many of you feel the same way. You have lots of things you have done and tried and lived and experienced. We are all multi-faceted, and sometimes, our blog only shows a teeny tiny portion of that. But, that's okay because, it gives us something to talk about 😉
Anyhow, it has been an intense week, and I have loved snuggling in my chaise in the garden after a long day of painting and losing myself, just by looking up…
While listening to Star's Sad Robots album in the background. I have been enjoying it for almost a year, and not tired of it… I LOVE visiting their website.
Well, I best get back to the studio.
I am getting sooo excited for the Mad Tea Party. Ideas are trickling in, just in time.
I also brought you this flower, because I love the intensity, and the beauty in the fading edges…
Much more, sooner than sooooon 😉
🖤 ,V
ps: I can't wait another second for Phoebe in Wonderland to get here! 6/23/09, it's in my netflix queue. It extra won me over when the drama teacher, played by Patricia Clarkson (whom I adore) says this…
"At a certain point in your life, probably when too much of it has gone by, you will open your eyes and see yourself for who you are, especially for everything that made you so different from all the awful normals. And you will say to yourself, but I am this person, and in that statement, there will be a kind of love…"
Oh my goodness, the skies are magically magnificent there! And the way you captured the bird in flight~~oh, my!
I think we would all love to see the progression of your art, Miss Vanessa!
btw, “pink trees and sunshine” is the former “miss elainey b” :~)
that sky …no words.
i like to pretend i don’t notice if people look at me like i’m nuts. Maybe *they’re* nuts! you can’t be sure.
there was a storm last week that waved at me several times and then a rainbow winked at me. and After it passed I felt flushed.
I have the same fascination with clouds. Mine did not begin until I moved to Phoenix…there really is something about the summer clouds in the desert that make them extra special.
thank you for sharing your pics.
I too am looking forward to the Mad Tea Party, some of my party guests are already getting their fancies all put together….
<3
I love that quote! It is how I feel!
Love the skies too! I have been having fun trying to make things for the party-they are not coming out exactly as I imagined them but they are what they are! It is interesting what you said about the different facets of people and what they show. Now I am in this magical world it makes me look with fresh eyes at all the things I have made over the years. I seem to dabble in different types of things but there are links and constants all the way through.
Looking forward to seeing your new paintings.
x
Of course there are messages in that sky silly girl. It’s a huge love letter to you from the Lord telling you how much He loves you! And it was written in Hebrew, Spanish, Spanglish, Swahili and every other language.
xoxox Cori
We don’t have the same sky here I assure you…..it must stop at this part of California and move in another direction. I love clouds, I love looking up at them and looking for images and stories in them…..alas we never get THAT kind or I swear I’d never look down.
I truly believe we all have many facets to us, especially when it comes to art or really who we are. What we show on our blogs almost becomes one dimensional until all of a sudden something new appears to up create even more dimension. Sometimes I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface of all the parts of me. Isn’t that exciting? It means all of us have more to share and anticipate!
I’ve had Phoebe in Wonderland in my Netflix Queue for a while now AND I saw that clip and knew this is the movie for me. But then it doesn’t surprise me that you and I both were drawn.
I hope you’ll show the painting……
Now that the Gypsy Theater is done I have some swirling in my head but then OH DEAR, what will I do for the party?????
This is a long comment but I’ve been absent from commenting so I guess I’m making up for it! HA!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Love yourself, YES! and I adore that tree that got in just about all your pics, it is saying, seeeeeeeee everything is pretty up here too!!! I am a CLOUD person and those are beyond words!That 8th one down seems to be saying MUAH! That bird probably said, “it’s about time YOU climb that ladder Vanessa, I’ve been waiting a while now for YOU to take my pic!!!” tee hee and I’m sorry that ice cream truck doesn’t come by on your street! I wish we had one on our street too!
Oh LOVE that quote. Having obtained a certain longevity, I have arrived at a point where I am very comfortable in my own skin…perhaps because it is looser!!! But I LIKE me. I like all the me’s I have been…they’re all still there, just not as bendy. We are all unfinished art. And therein lies the fun. **blows kisses** Deborah
Well, well, dear Vanessa. Your posts never fail to make me feel something totally unexpected. Love the sky posts. Ever since I was little if I stand and just look up into the sky I swear I can fill my soul stir and rise up and it literally takes my breath away. I quit trying to explain this to people because I get that odd look and they step back away from me slowly and ever so cautiously….hee-hee. I do know what they are thinking. Those of us who are kindred spirits with the sky and clouds understand. We really do! – Wish our grey cloudy skys would move on out of here. Here’s to pink skies ahead! – Kathy in Chicago
love the cloud pics and your thoughts on their magic and presence in the sky! my little Sophie thinks clouds are mashed potatoes. maybe I should serve mashed potatoes for the Mad Tea Party! 🙂
Dearest V to the Vee-est:
Hee! I scared my son cuz i squealed when i saw you had posted–it’s perfect! It’s a make me giddy happy perfect Sunday post full of beauty and wonder….and CLOUDS!
I was just looking at pictures i took last night of Coon bottom skies afore the storm, but OH YOUR CLOUDS!
I think clouds are soft fluffy puffs of magic in the air, and by gazing at them long enough, and seeing what’s there, and believing in it, the magic floats gently down to you…(why, once, a very most excellent friend of mine actually caught a picture of the elusive Rabbit Cloud!)
Trees and clouds and bunnies and flowers. If you peeked into my heart, i think that’s what you would find living there…..
CANT WAIT TO SEE: Phoebe in Wonderland, V paintings, V creatures, V jewelry (ahem, that’s a hint), and….what All the Lovely Twinklestars do for the Biggest Party Of The Year!
Dont forget to eat and sleep, and dream, and wish upon a cloud. They work too. 🙂
xoxoxoxoxox
PS You are not a nutcake, only a girl crazy enough to live her dreams!
PSS. Your daddio is secretly gazing at clouds too!!
PSPS Thank you for the flower, its perfect in its imperfection-just the way I like em.
🙂
beautiful, beautiful sky photos- I just love the sky, clouds, sunsets…ahhh!
enjoy your week Vanessa! xo
Oh my, you do have a gorgeous sky all around you…such beauty to enjoy everyday!!!
You are so blessed and nice that you share so much of yourself here…even if it is a tiny part. Would love to see your old paintings…xo betzie
Gorgeous photography, ma petite gateau de noix! I adore you and your whimsical way of looking at things; great quote from the film, too. So glad you’re having fun creating wonderful art. And yes, we’re all so multi-faceted; sometimes it’s good to revisit old things/paintings/work with a new perspective. 🙂 Off to London; will catch up w/ you soon. xoxox
Do you know how wonderful it is to see someone else love to look at clouds, be captivated by them and photgraph them all the time???!! woooweeeeeee! I always love your photography, but if I were to confess my favorites, it would be your night sky pictures…. they always pull a soft sigh from my heart… love that you are loving life, dear lady! xox
VB
I LOVE YOUR LITTLE PLACE WHERE YOU LIVE, IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I ALSO LIKE TO LOOK AT THE CLOUDS AND SUNSETS, IT’S A DIFFERENT SHOW EVERYDAY!
BLESSINGS,
TRACY M.
If you haven’t been to the movie theatre to see “UP” (in 3D!!) – you have to go. It’s poignant-sweet and sad…but uplifting and there’s more than a few scenes where they cloud watch & as you know it’s just perfect/a priceless moment.
Love these photo’s…beautiful!
that movie does look special, the young fanning child is very talented. your posts always make me feel good about life. and those clouds do look like waves!
smooches rosey
Oh I think you would like my Dancing Dude…come see..he would be such a treat at the Tea Party!!
http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/a_fanciful_twist/
I love clouds. One of my favorite ways to relax is to cloud surf and see shapes in the sky.
After I cloud surf for a while, I get all kind of great ideas. Your pictures are beautiful. I could jump in them and lie on the ground to watch your piece of sky.
I saw In Dreams, very intense movie. Totally different than what I though it would be.
OH MY YOUR SKIES ARE THE CLOSEST THING TO HEAVEN I HAVE EVER SEEN… YOUR PHOTOS CAPTURE THE TREMENDOUS BEAUTY THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH…. AND THEN SOME
THAT LAST ONE … OF THE NIGHT SKY AND CLOUDS AND MOON IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE…
THEY ARE ALL STUNNING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT BUT THE LAST ONE…. WOW!!
ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOUR TEA PARTY AS I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO ONE… SO THIS WILL BE A TREAT FOR ME
LOTS OF HUGS
JO
Those skies are SO beautiful! Thankyou for sharing them with us. :o)
Hola, Chiquita!!
You do know that if chi were to be a color it would be sky-blue-pink!!?? Our sunsets here are also truly amazing some considered to be the best in Mexico. The awsome part is that the sky and sun are reflected back up by the water, so that the sun looks as if it’s a ball of fire being extinquished as it slips into the sea. 🙂
Ah but like many things in life there is a neg. side. We have such amazing sunset (just like you) because of all the particular material in the sky. Your is mostly desert dust. :)Ours is extremly poluted air 🙁 In fact Mazatlan has the second most poluted air behind Mexico City. That is the largest city in the world at over 30 million people. Mazatlan is a town of 350,000 people!!! The sad thing is that there is plenty of dry forest at the edge of the shore to allow magnificant sunset polutant free. Some day some day….
Pattie 😉
Mazatlan Mx.
PS. The rain faeries will be here soon!!!!!
Oh V, you’ve made me day dream (again)…those clouds are amazing. I think I see what you see 😉 I’ve been MIA from blogland this weekend too…my babes turned the big O-N-E and so we’ve been partying too much and getting drunk off the sugar, yum! Can’t wait to see your painting you’ve been working on! And YES, I think you should drag out your older work and give it a try online…maybe? Why not? And oooo, I want to see your jewelry too, you’ve been teasing us with it for a while 😉 You know I love me some stylin’ jewelry.
Jamie 🙂
Ahhh V. Summer nights. They are so beautiful. I absolutely believe the clouds are speaking to you…in a language specially created for you. What an amazing image I can see of you..curled up on your chaise…looking at the clouds drifting by wondering what shape they will take next.
happy nights
anji
Lovely photos of the sky with clouds…makes you want to lay down on the grass and stay there looking up for a long while. Haven’t done that in such a long time!!
ALso saw the trailer for Phoebe in Wonderland and it looks to be a great movie. Thank you for sharing it with us 🙂
Hugs…
Vania
Hello Ms. Vanessa,
Love these clouds!
~ Gabriela ~
We live in the woods…but less than a mile away are wonderful farms and fields…that is where we go to see the sunsets and they are beautiful here in humble little NJ 🙂
I often worried about what one of my Professors at Skidmore said to me…”Mo’a you need to focus” he felt that one can not be a successful artist unless they do the same thing over and over…he said that is what people that buy their art want. He called it a signature.
I listened but did not follow his advise…I am happy with what my art does for me…and it always comes down to, that we do our art for yourselves…what do you think?
Well, hello, Missy Vee!
Have you ever been to Key West, Florida? EVERY NIGHT there is a worship-the-sunset party downtown. The entire population of the island (resident and tourist) congregate and the town square and have a party. It’s wonderful.
Your pictures make me wish I could be someplace where that nightly sky drama happens. Here, in North Carolina – not so much. Usually around that time of evening, there’s a rip-snorter thunderstorm going on. Which is also nice, I think.
xoxo,
Kate
there is magic in the sky.
the last photo. i see an eye staring at me from that ball of light. goodness. that’s a most magnificent photo, miss V.
(gearing up for our tea party.)
V~
I just love love the cloud and sunset pictures. Too breathtaking!!
And a weekend of painting sounds like so much fun!! It would be great to see some of your earlier work 🙂 Oh and your jewelry too!!
Oh and Phoebe in Wonderland looks great. I’ll have to add it to my list of “things to see” My list is becoming quite long 🙂
Oh and I just have to say that I watched Eternal Children and LOVE IT!! Thanks for the recommendation.
Have a great week Miss V!!
Kylee
aka Rooftop Dancer Extraordinaire 🙂
oh cloudlings, cloudi-cloud-cloudsicals!! Your clouds are pure magic, I know! They must be! Special fanciful Arizona fairytale clouds!! I’ve never seen such white puffs of sea and sky swirled and mingled!!
I’m off to add ‘Phoebe in Wonderland’ to our queue! I love love love that quotation to bits! I’m having such a peaceful day….cleaning the cupboards (don’t you just love the word cupboards!?? I do oh so much….cupboards, cupboards, cup boards, cup…..boards….cubberds!!) tee hee!! 🙂
Happy new week to You!! 🙂
Miss Vanessa:
I am so glad I am witnessing these realizations, your journey. It is strange but when I read your previous post last week, I thought to myself, this isn’t quite the same Vanessa from when I first came across her, three years ago? Miss Vanessa is all about whimsy and (methaphors) of mice very full of innocent and magical ways telling us tales of what life is and telling us to keep going strong and So, yes, you are entering into a new stage and I congratulate you and welcome you because this is YOu but getting better and better! more juicy! more passionate! more becoming YOU!
Hugs sweetie and please share more! And your jewelry too 😉
p.s. love gazing and watching clouds, too and your taste in shoes is fabulous!!!
tic toc, counting the days for your tea party…
Your photographs are so inspiring and beautiful! I’m so glad to have found your blog.
Hi Vanessa,
Your cloud photos are just phenominal! We’ve been enjoying having some cloud action over here in Anaheim too. Sometimes in the summer it seems days go by without a cloud in the sky and I really do miss them… We lived in WA state 17 years and clouds are a part of everyday life there!
After spending 10 years here, I notice the cloudless skies and am into cloud-watching when we are blessed to get some…
Thanks for recommending “Phoebe in Wonderland”–I went to Netflix and put in at the front of my queue! Just love those Fanning girls–so adorable!
Hugs, Barb
The sky is amazing! Wonderfully gorgeous pictures!
I wish you could really see the night sky here. There are too many city lights, everything is dark, and dusty. But I love it when you can see those rarely seen stars flicker abovee your head, and just lay in the grass and wish somehow you could grab one and keep it on your mantle for good luck. The sky is amazing ever changing thing.
I think I see a bit of you up in those bright wispy clouds..?
Thanks for the netflix idea. I’m going to order it now!
Where ever you are the colorful sky’s with three kinds of clouds follows VV! Can’t wait to see the painting you are working on.
hi to Lovee!
xox
Constance
Hi Vanessa..I LOOOVE the cloud photographs. I checked out the trailer for Phoebe in Wonderland and it looks enchanting! I have questions about the upcoming, anticipated Tea Party but I’ll email you in case you don’t see this.
Your posts are always so enjoyable to read, and the photos that go along with them are little works of art in themselves. In Phoenix during monsoon season the cloud formations and sunsets are breathtaking. It must be something about the west.
I think you should bring out some of that old artwork as well. We would love to see it!
Kare
My Desert Cottage
I am constantly amazed by the beauty of the sky. Last night driving down from the mountains the show was not to be believed!!
happy creating to you!!
x..x
The last sky photo was my favorite and yes, I did see it/him/them.–Sally
oh! That is it-the perfect shade of “sky blue pink”! It is so funny to hear you “talk” about clouds. I always watch them and wonder the same things. Do you know that not everyone can see shapes in the clouds and faces in the moon. I just don’t understand that. My hubby says he never sees a face in the moon. I told him he must be missing a few marbles or something. ;o)
wow…I hadn’t heard of Pheobe in Wonderland and now I can’t wait to see it.
I want to mention I am new to bloggy ville.. I hope you can stop by and give me some pointers on my blog .. I tho want to be a part of this mad tea party I am silly!! I will fit right in and mabe it would be fun to create mad items to sell and have a rabbit hole for vendors to sell items according..a mad flea mkt kind a thingy?? ok Im done.. I am getting ready to post some soldered charms I have been working on and am offering one free charm to anyone who wants to post my work as a little write up about where to find me..love your art work..my daughter loves to mess with the sky an used gator-aid to make the sky different colors she created this when we were on vacation and she was board…she used the camera and different colors of gator aid and it was so amazing I have some if youd like to see em….cheers!!
Out-beautiful-standing! Yes I too have relics in my studio that haven’t seen the light of day in years. Might be fun to look back and visit them; and share them too! Hmmmm! A definite good thought there.
Hugging you
SueAnn
I would love to see more of your work. I am dying to see some of your jewelry…..would love to buy some too. And thanks for turning me on to Sad Robots ~ I love them!
beautiful post as always miss fancypants 😉 Please do share your older works of art (& jewelry too!!) Pretty pleeeze with a cherry on top!
I am so with you on this. The view of the sky from my cottage is inspiring. I often see things up there but no one else seems able to focus on the same clouds as I do. Totally free entertainment and a delight.
Fabulous pics by the way.
Oh boy you have gorgeous skies!! A couple of them felt like they were taken under water – the clouds were like the ridge of the water.
Beautiful photos!
Hello soon-to-be birthday girl.
I am so excited for the tea party and just want to make sure that you will have milk for my tea.
xoxoxo
You captured the clouds perfectly…they were amazing this week. Can’t wait to see your paintings…if you decide to pull them out of their hiding place. And, jewelry too!…oh my!
I just wanted to say you have a beautiful blog, I’ve really enjoyed perusing it!!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy Creating,
Aileen~
otm@outsidethemargins.com
http://www.outsidethemargins.com
http://aileensmusings.blogspot.com/
Beautiful cloud , beautiful sky !!!
i swear,the sky in arizona is unlike the sky anywhere else. it is so magical it truly seems as if it is a gateway to another world.
i’ve been on vacay this week and am just now catching up here…i needed this burst of joy most assuredly.
oh, to find out how many other lovely wonders you have yet to share with us! yay!
you know i would love to see the jewelry…
i just started painting again after not doing so for 10 years or more, and it just grabs hold and i am off to another place. i can’t wait to see where it takes me.
and i have you to thank for getting me out of my one dimensional ( jewelry ) box and back into the world of art as joy and joy as art!
thank you, vanessa, thank you! you are such a delight and such an inspiration!!!
Okay, well, that made me tear up. I did not know about this movie. I must get it.
Thank you for sharing.
xoxo