Shop Update, But first, some thoughts….
It is a strange time in a strange little life. Waves of change flutter by, and sometimes I get swept away kicking and screaming… Other times, I am prepared. I catch the wave, and let it drag me out to sea… A whirlpool here, a little floating there… I might even find myself doing a bit of synchronised swimming…
What is all this aquatic talk you ask? One word, Art. Or better yet, where Art takes me. You see, Art came into my life and saved me three times.
The first time, he whispered to me as a confused little girl, "Psst, come here, you're not alone, let's play…"
The second time, years later, he appeared as a winged creature. Taking me under his coat of lush feathers, forcing me to get out of bed during a "shattered heart" period. Throwing my "angels in my rabbit convertible…" We drove, ending up at an angel art gallery… Painting and repairing my soul… Sharing with all kinds of people… A woman suffering with cancer, a French-man all alone in a strange country, and so many others… I waved good-bye, watching my little loves go to new homes…
The third time, Art stayed. He gives me little gifts. He plops them into a brain cell. Characters dancing around, begging to come alive. To anyone else, a little creation might be insignificant, even silly… To me, they are all dear little friends. With stories, and hearts. Their tales, so precious. Sometimes they don't come out as they were in my mind… But I can see them in there, through one eye, or even, through a curl of a lip…
There are so many facets to what I create & so many reasons to create. For me, it is the only way I know how to exist. Not only do I find myself in my own work, but in the work of others. Admiring others work, and <evil grin> sometimes hoarding the pieces I get my hands on…
Sometimes I feel so silly, sharing my little creatures. The ones that come to me in the middle of the night. Then, I have a week like this one. Where my creatures & characters, touch other people. Visitors to the gallery take home new friends. Visitors to Etsy, find a new love…Of course, Arthur then says to me, "See, I told you so…" And I have to respond "Oh, Art, you were so right…"
That said, I have been motivated to start putting some characters in the shop. The gallery is full of friends that many of you have not met. Plus, new friends here and there. The vast differences in my style floors & confuses me, so I expect it might do the same to you. Consider this fair warning, ha.
You see, you all are making me feel so comfortable, that my fears of sharing are slowly vanishing. It is one thing, for you to walk into my little gallery and peek. Soaking it all in. But, putting it on the screen for you to see, feels so, abrupt. Like a kiss with a stranger, when not prepared…
Tonight I will be working on a shop update with many originals. We are on a small road trip, and I have prepared myself, to share with you, from afar. I will be back in town in 3 days…
"Strange Beautiful Lady II" 24" W x 30"H x 1.5 "D. Acrylic on Canvas, 2006 (Original)
The painting above is called, "Strange Beautiful Lady II." I have an ongoing series about this peculiar woman. I have done three similiar versions of the same characters. Each version is slightly different, tree/no tree, etc. The other two are in private collections (sold). I wrote the tale about her… The main theme is that she sings a tune, "The children will play, they will dance and they'll sway, on a perfectly gloomy day, they say, they say." The village on the other side of those hills can hear her singing this tune….
"On a Certain Day…" Acrylic on Canvas. 12" x 12" x 1.5" depth (Original) Satin Varnish. She waits, with her 7 tier cake, and party hats…As she sees her friends coming down the path, for a visit…
"Leaves will fall, fruit will ripen, time will tell…" 8.5" x 6" x 1.75" D (Original) Acrylic on wood, Original Illustration drawn on card stock, then glued to wood. Fabric collage dress. Satin Varnish. Dark brown painted sides. Top side, Vintage Dictionary pages.
"Super Bake Girl, Ophelia" 8.5" x 6" x 1.75" D. (Original) Vintage Dictionary pages, decoupaged onto wood. Illustrated in ink and Painted with Acrylic. In this piece you will find words such as, "Pastry," "Ophelia," "Scrumptious," and more… Satin Varnish. Black scalloped sides.
"Declairing your love in the rain…" Vintage dictionary pages, decoupaged onto canvas. Illustrated in ink, and painted in acrylic. Handpainted cutout water drops. 8" x 10" (Original) Satin Varnish.
"Super Cupcake, Bake Girl, " 8.5" x 6" x 1.75" D. (Original) Vintage Dictionary pages, decoupaged onto wood. Illustrated in ink and Painted with Acrylic. In this piece you will find words such as, "Cream," "Cupid," and the word "CupCake" in the curl right on the top of her head. Satin Varnish. Black scalloped sides.
"On a sleepy, Fungi, morning" Acrylic on canvas board. 8" x 10" satin varnish. (Original).
All of those creatures will be in the shop by early, June 07, 07 A.M.
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One more thing I wanted to share is how special I think it is to receive the "Thinking Blogger" award from a fellow blogger. To have a fellow blogger who you respect and admire, consider you a thinking blog, is quite special. Who better to judge us, than our fellow bloggers – and in this case fellow artist. I find myself nominated by Lou, of Art&Ghosts, as a thinking blog… So wonderful, thank you! I adore this girl. She is so incredibly talented and a bundle of laughs! Lou, you are a treasure!
Here is how this works…
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think!
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme or blog that you enjoy.
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote.
Of course, it is always hard to choose. Everyone I visit makes me think, and laugh… and all that good stuff… But here are my five.
Paris Parfait, for French treasures, voyages, and a bundle of intelligence…Plus a really lovely wonderful girl!
Rodrigvitz Style, for a real life infused with color and major art talent, WOW, check out the art in her garden! And bags, and and and…
A Fairy in my Teacup, for all things fairy. Living in a land where I think faeries really do roam. Kazzy, the sweetest gal that ever did roam amongst the faeries!
A Stitch in Time, from my first visit I was hooked. Her lovely creativity and the inclusion of some little elf girls, always makes me long for the next post. She is so real and funny! Love her!
Zazazu, always thought provoking posts. From photos with just a few words, to longer ideas…Always inspiring!
I promise, not so long posts, in the future. And, I have so many amazing swap gifts to share. I am so behind in the sharing! You won't believe your eyes!!! xxxooo
I LOVED this post! I’m so glad ART stayed with you on her third visit. We all come across her at different stages of our lives, I believe, and sometimes the visit is punctual and short-lived, of the comforting and healing kind… Then comes a day when self-expression becomes our one and true path, and ART pays us a visit again… and stays 🙂
I love love love your Strange Beautiful Lady II!!!!
I love your shop update…..it’s like chocolate cake with pink icing on a rainy day! : )
Oh Vanessa – what a beautiful aweinspiring post. I adore your originals and very much hope to own one someday. Isn’t it strange that for so many of us art has not always been the constant companion that others would think. For me, after leaving my teenage years, for much of my twenties, art was but a dream, it was elusive and I certainly went through a long period of denial! Now it is here to stay and I can never imagine being without it.
It is clear that it is your life force – as you live and breathe, so you create. And I adore you for it. xxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Happiness, wonder and delight xxxxxx
oh’ miss fanciful you are sweetness like the sweetest icing on your pic’s of cakes…
thank you you adorable girl…you have made my day!!! its kind of you to put me as one of your top 5…you sweet heart!!!
what a wonder and delight to have been thought of…i must get back to blogging more. with everything going on in my life its been so hectic…but as i have a standard to live up to…i better make my blog entries extra special just for you darling girl who brings heaps of magic and fun my way x x x
your art strange beautiful lady 2…that pic has touched my heart with the child in her arms and stormy skies…it captures the mood so well with everything going on in my life…
you are so wonderfully creative/tallented…you are the brightest star that shines above me…i love your blog i truely dooooooo x x x x
x x x kazzy x x x
My dear friend… Art has saved me many times…you made me cry, you made me laugh, you made me proud of you, and you made me think of the journey I have taken to where I am…. I love the new paintings, I think I shall have to have one soon…I need to understand Etsy and PayPal and all that stuff. I would love to join you soon putting my works out to see if the world will love them…blessings, rebecca
PS – God speed for safe travel
I love the emotion you write and create with. Art should reach Sainthood soon, it has save many a lost sole. Mine for one, and I couldn’t tell you how many times. Have a good trip, be safe.
I adore your writing, your stories…Arthur!!! Yes, thank you Arthur!
All of your original artworks are just beautiful and I am so HAPPY that your are selling them, showing them together in a gallery setting!! Yay!!
Then imagine my delight! and surprise!! to see ME listed in your choices for Thinker Blogger!! I am stunned and…again…delighted…and honored…wow, thank you! It will take me a bit of time to respond.
xo
stephanie
If I had money, Strange Beautiful Lady and Leaves will Fall would already be comming to live with me! Two of my favorites, truely!
I love your Strange Beautiful Lady so much, she’ll soon be winging her way to Paris! Merci, mon ami! Please email me. As for the Thinking Blogger award, you are too kind, dear Vanessa. It’s not the first time I’ve received this award, but it feels as special as the first win! Merci bien! And congrats to you for your award and for your beautiful, intriguing and imaginative art! xo
Hello!! I love your originals and your whole site! I have had you on my favorites list in my computer for some time, and added you to my blog when I started one.
You are inspiring, open, and honest, and your work shows these qualities!
I love, love, love “Declairing your love in the rain…”!!It’s my favorite.
I had one moment of panic before my slow old computer uploaded the rest of your post when I was afraid you were saying goodbye to etsy or worse blogging and us! I think my heart stopped! Thank heaven it was the opposite and you have added a wonderful new update and lovely post! I love all these pieces and wish they could all come join my lovely girl here in my house–or actually the new one I am going looking for this weekend(wish me luck). I love them all! And it is funny about that fickle creature art, He didn’t find me until I thought it was practically too late. I’m not sure that I would still call what I do art, but it is so fun to create and it makes me happy and gives me joy, so maybe that is a definition of art. Whatever it is I am glad it found me! And I am glad I found you and your lovely treasure wonderful Vanessa!
What a wonderful and thoughtful blog post. Your journey with “Art” through the years is so touching.
Thank-you for sharing.
yeah, ôm with sarah. 1 & 3 are rockin´. love, swoon…a real fabric dress! you are killing me. i´m glad you create my dear! your art always makes me smile. and sometime i really need to smile. 🙂
yeah, ôm with sarah. 1 & 3 are rockin´. love, swoon…a real fabric dress! you are killing me. i´m glad you create my dear! your art always makes me smile. and sometime i really need to smile. 🙂
All of these new pieces are so wonderful Vanessa! Great Job!!!
All your beautiful new little spirits and sprites!
PS. I wish you were here – Skylar and I have just been drawing: a fairy named Fleur and her magic peacock named Lilly.
Okay, I think we can declare a new rule that the word “Goodbye” cannot appear in post titles! Because I too about had a heart attack thinking you were signing off of blogland! NO!
Meanwhile, I love your visits from Art. My characters live and breathe in my head, too. They’re totally real. It’s not like I’m making them up, it’s like I’m just writing down what’s actually happening. It’s hard to explain to people, but it’s very vivid. I love that! ~A 🙂
Gawwwwd! I love your posts! You have no idea how inspiring it is for me! Your art is so refreshing! Fungi !! ..what can I say?!
so glad that you are feelin’ the love from us all and that it means you are ok with sharing more and more of what you do – because it is wonderful. I love how you put yourself right out there in what you do, I haven’t the confidence for thet, yet, but I feel sure it will come.
I finally, belatedly, repsonded to your wonderful and sweet nomination for hte Thinking Blogger last month. I was so amazed that you would include me, it kind of floored me, again, not enough confidence to believe it could be true. But you are always true in what you say, so lucky me, I must accept it, and feel honoured and happy.
I had initially prepared the post last month with different images but when I saw these new works today it was clear that they were the ones to show, especially as it meant people could go and buy them too. I just know they will be hugely popular. I love the falling leaves best, there is such a range of emotion in it that I can identify with. I’m probably projecting, but that’s ok isn’t it, we see what we need to sometimes.
Love you loads, as you know. Oh, and the ghost in the elevator, ha ha ha ha ha… xxx
thought you might like this site
http://www.nathalie-lete.com/
I’ve had the same experience with art. In and out. My denying, jilted lover. I almost think it was necessary for me to put it all aside, preserve it and come back to it, not the victim of some mid-twenties burnout. I love, love, love the Fungi and Declaring your love in the rain. Is it possible to reserve these to lovelies of yours? And yes you are coming to tea. We will have tarts and cherries and other sweet, delicacies. Then we will go out for ice cream.
I am just so awestruck by you Vanessa. You definitely deserve the thinking blogger award. Your words and your art are so thought provoking!
this was wonderful to read and I love that fist painting the original…oh how it makes me ache.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Oh my Miss V!!You have so many wonderful fanciful creations and i see you’ve sold strange lady- Wowsa! You are doing so well on Etsy! Good on ya!
I was wondering if you might be interested in a trade for one of my handbags…mull it over and check out my shop…i will be adding more bags this week actually. I did about 4 trades already on Etsy! I would love to own one of your pieces someday!!
oh you have been so busy!!!!
have a great great trip!!
a wonderful post Vanessa – its so great to see how art has touched your life! You’ve been busy in the studio, great new originals!
love the Super Bake girl series!
Thank you for sharing the different facets of your art, these pieces seem to have complicated backgrounds, in particular the first two I can look at them and try to understand the meaning behind its creation, the stories will have me buzzing in my head. This is such an intriguing post, today I discovered the magic of your writing 🙂
I am taken into a new, exciting, delightful world with each of your posts, and especially with this new and absolutely fascinating art of yours… you TOTALLY deserve that award. You go, girl. You’re amazing!
What beautiful sentiments, and what fabulous characters you’ve shared with us here.
Love them all but especially “Strange beautiful Lady”. I love that the landscabe is so dark and hopeless looking,but she and her babes are the bright spots in the picture,,,and that she is singing. That picture I feel like is me today. The world feels overwhelming,but she sings on connected to her children.
oh, it is you who is the bundle of laughs my dear! i love our crazy notes!
i also love the sleepy fungi most of all, here. Im so glad you shared these works with us, and the process, the mind behind the magic.
keep making!
xxx
Oooh, thank you, you’re such a darling!
Good luck with hyour artful etsy shop. Your art is so charming, I know peolple will love it.
Catching up on posts….these are stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonderful art, and wonderful blogs. Always such a pleasure to visit your part of blogland. 🙂
Oh, and has my mail turned up over there yet? I hope so! I haven’t heard from a seller I sent to either…I get paranoid about missing mail….it’s happened to me before…eek!
I love LOVE Strange Beautiful Lady II. I noticed it last night in your store and, as others have said, if I had the money, would have bought it in a second. Such AMAZING work! Wow!
Thank you for the Thinking Blogger’s nomination. I NEED to post an entry on my blog soon. Will try to do that.
I’ve missed you these past few day!
xo,
Karen Beth 🙂
I love your shop! You’re very creative/talented!!! I am also opening a shoppe called, The Crafty Castle. Your art/blog is very inspiring. I would like to follow your blog but can’t seem to find the follow button? Keep doing what you’re doing! Blessed Be, Gypsie xoox