February 17, 2009

Swan Child



I believe I've finally completed my Swan girl!  I'm sorry that the image isn't clearer, she is much to large for my scanner so I had to take a photo. (I will take her in for professional scanning soon) 

I've been working on her for months and couldn't wait to share with you!

Do you think the title "Swan Child" suits her? I thought Transformation sounded a bit to obvious or heavy. 




February 14, 2009

Valentine memories and brownies!


Happy Valentines Day!

I've always loved Valentines Day, with its construction paper hearts and pink frosted cupcakes. 
 
When I was a school girl, life could be very grey. We did have an art teacher but she came to our classroom (art on a cart it was called)  so there wasn't much of the get your hands dirty type art making going on. (I do remember looking forward to her visits and how kind she was, I'm sure she is part of the reason I became art teacher)

 Valentines Day was different though, for one day my inner world and the outer seemed to match up a little (in my mind glitter and hearts swirled about daily) There was paste, and scissors and *gasp* glitter.  We created little mailboxes out old shoe boxes! Who'd of thought! Finally things were looking up! The only thing I couldn't understand was the return of the grey ... why didn't the adult world want to live with more color and life? 

 Valentines is the handmade holiday more than any other. Even my junior high students still love to cut hearts and make sweet greetings, and of course so do I. 

 Please take a brownie I made them with my girls, I'll pour a cup of punch for you.  I'd love it if  you have time to share a favorite Valentine memory and we will have our own little party!

Wishing you happiness that continues to sparkle! 

xxx000

Cat


February 12, 2009



Today is the day! I put on my magic top hat and waved the enchanted Valentine wand over the .... random number generator! Yes today is February 12th, the day the gypsy caravan of One World One Heart circles round to draw the names of winners!

My prizes include an 8x10 print of "Love Bird" and an ACEO of "Philippe, the Cotton Candy Elf" both hand embelished with a touch of sparkle! I'll also include a little surprise :)

And the winner is ....Patti's Creations Congratulations!

Thank you to all who participated, I'm proud to travel with such creative gypsies!

*candy hearts to all*

Cat

February 11, 2009

The Lady of Shalott



With Valentines around the corner I thought I'd share these beautiful romantic paintings, "Death of Elaine" and "Lancelot" by Yoshitaka Amano. They are from his "Yosei" fairy paintings.
Why do I find tragic love stories like this so compelling? It might be more all the beautiful paintings and poem surrounding it that draw me in, but the longing in this tale just tugs my heartstrings.

and a bit of "The Lady of Shalott"

There she weaves by night and day
A magic web with colours gay.
She has heard a whisper say,
A curse is on her if she stay
To look down to Camelot.
She knows not what the curse may be,
And so she weaveth steadily,
And little other care hath she,
The Lady of Shalott.

And moving through a mirror clear
That hands before her all the year,
Shadows of the world appear.
There she sees the highway near
Winding down to Camelot: 50
There the river eddy whirls,
And there the curly village-churls,
And the red cloaks of market girls,
Pass onward from Shalott.

Sometimes a troop of damsels glad,
An abbot on an ambling pad,
Sometimes a curly shepherd-lad,
Or long-haired page in crimson clad,
Goes by to towered Camelot;
And sometimes through the mirror blue
The knights come riding two and two:
She hath no loyal knight and true,
The Lady of Shalott.

But in her web she still delights
To weave the mirror's magic sights,
For often through the silent nights
A funeral, with plumes and lights
And music, went to Camelot:
Or when the moon was overhead,
Came two young lovers lately wed;
"I am half sick of shadows," said
The Lady of Shalott.

Alfred Lord Tennyson

February 03, 2009

Bright Plumes



"Ostare"

I had a blissful day to paint today, I've been carrying this sketch with me for a few weeks and was strangely hesitant about her colors. I also wasn't quite sure who she was. When she first appeared in my sketchbook I called her harpy. Her face however seemed a bit to sweet for that. (although I'm quite certain even harpies have their good days). As you might have noticed I lean toward soft colors in spite of myself. Pale however wouldn't due, the bird woman called for bright plumes and turned out so regal I realized she must be a spring goddess. So Ostare she is, I found so many spellings for her I hope I selected the proper one.
I found an account of her having a rabbits head and woman's body. I'd love to paint her in that form as well. I believe the same article called rabbits her minions which made me grin. Don't you love the idea of rabbit minions?

Remember to sign up for my One World One Heart give away in the post below!