Inspiration, Sanctuaries & It is not always too late to finish what you started…

In organizing the studio a bit, I happened upon little artworks that I started and then just simply forgot.  I have about 32 paintings of all sizes that are sketched or started to be painted, some even 75% completed.  It is pretty ridiculous actually…  What happens is that my attention gets taken by something else, and then voila, I am off to the next thing.

      

The bad thing about this is that you lose the creative mental space for that one piece.  The good thing is, sometimes you come back to it with renewed inspiration.  Which is what I am diligently focusing on…

Funny enough, I coaxed Dino, the little artist extraordinaire, into creating & completeing a painting for me. A trade or payment of sorts.  He obliged.  He started one day sitting at my table…

      

      

I told Dino what I had swirling in my mind in January.  He worked and worked and worked on it…. Check out the finished product which is now in my possession…

Some of my loves, which I explained to Dino are: Keyholes, Strange creatures, Fairytales, hidden doorways, forests, Cupid (see cupids arrow?)  I even talked to him about Snow White vs. the Witch and the poisonous apple….Needless to say, this is what I got, and I am overwhelmed with delightment….

      

Sometimes I like to wander my two little dweillings, searching for inspiration.  Not really actively searching, but seeing if little things catch my attention and get my mind rolling…Kitchens are so inspiring to me… Probably because I like to paint pastries and cakes….I just love my kitchen.

It is a tad small, but it is so fun to bake in and share with little people who sit at this table and wait for their first bite…I have not finsihed painting my cabinet, but heck, it has been unfinished for years…See the pattern here, unfinished objects?? I made those knobs (on top & bottom doors)…  They were sooo much fun to make.

      

So, it is officially time for me to crack that whip and finish some of my own painting projects…I am feeling inspired…

You see, I found this piece that I started in 2000.  7years ago, when I met Mr. Lovee, I purchased this piece of wood and sketched this little girl…As I was cleaning this week, she came toppling down from a shelf.  And, I was in awe, I thought, "Wow, how did I forget this…." Don't mind the hair and face paint, that will change…

      

Then I found Miss Habit.  How could I have forgotten her also?? And several more below…Oh, seems as though I will be very busy for the next few days…A long weekend of painting…

      

      

      

I am giving myself one swap gift today, to treat myself ahead of time for attacking these projects…

This little love is from Lisa Solomon of Lisa's Musings. Of course, everything she sent had such sensory alerting items…Thank you Miss Lisa, so very much.  I love them each and every one!

       

      

       

I almost forgot, I got tagged by Miss Shabby in the City…But this is a tag I can live with, so I'll play along…  You "grab the nearest book, turn to page 28 and post the 3rd paragraph…"

I was a bit unlucky at this, as most of my books are informational, no third paragraph, or, page 28 had only one little burb. It was silly how hard it was…So, I finally picked up Anais Nin's "Fire" diary from about 1934-1937…Here is what it read:

"Richard Maynard telephones every day.  The violinist plays at town hall tonight.  After three talks with me, she played as "I never played in my life before, thinking of you as a shadow and seeing your green ring flashing before me.' "

I hope you have a lovely 3-day weekend.  And, either kick your feet up and relax….

      

Or tour your own space for inspiration…  It is so important to love your space, and fill it with things you love.  Even if your space can only be in one room, or one little corner, even a shelf. Make sure to make a space you love. Your own little sanctuary…

      

Enjoy special moments. Even if they only come in spurts…They all count…

(To answer a question., the Mermaid is not a lamp. Although, it sure does look like I am using her as such. With all those lights draped on her.  She is actually an old wooden creature, about 4.5 feet tall, once used in religious processions in the Philippines.  She came here many years ago from the Philippines with her owner.   Over the years I have collected many old wooden dolls, all quite large, with wooden joints. All said to have been used in similiar religious processions, where they would be dressed up to resemble a certian saint. Funny enough,  I later found out,  my collection came from the same owner…)