7.23.2007

Birth and Hope


Life really is a cycle, isn't it? Last week was a tremendously difficult one for me, the family worry-wart. (thank you for all the wishes for the little souls---those being my niece and nephew) Things seemed to have settled a bit, cycled back up, at least for now, and I have to say that I have done all I can and there is a small piece of mind in that. And again I must add, at least for now.

So, I am enjoying this splendid cloudy day. We are getting a bit of schoolwork done, Olivia is journaling as I write this. Next we are off to paint some outdoor furniture in fun turquoises and pinks, lime greens and bright yellows. Our only plan being to have as many polka dots as possible!


I have a few things to share...the first was inspired by the thought of cycles. She is Mother Nature and she started out her life as an Altoid tin, sanded and painted at the Hollins Library Altered Art meeting on Saturday. (Marni, Lucia, Audrey, Susan, Melissa, Pat, and Diane---it was really nice spending time with you all) I finished her the next morning...I could not complete the doll and leave her without a background-a life! so I added her to an old book cover and that is when her story began to unfold for me.
This was my first time working with a tin and I was not as comfortable with it as with a less dimensional surface. I still need to complete the inside of the tin...all that is in there now are the words "birth" and "hope."

The second thing to share is Olivia's new--made by me---Hermione wand! I had never worked with polymer clay and it was fun, fun, fun! I covered an old paint brush handle in white clay, adding tiny vines and leaves after I had the brush entirely covered in the clay. Then I baked the wand, let it cool, then added paint with fluid acrylics. A spray of varnish was the last step. I also attempted a cloak. The cloak took almost four hours and I never did get it right but Olivia loved it and that is all that really matters, right?


Thank you for stopping by for a visit. Before you go, I want to share a poem with you, perhaps a small something to serve as inspiration.

Hidden by Naomi Shihab Nye
If you place a fern

under a stone

the next day it will be

nearly invisible

as if the stone has swallowed it.

If you tuck the name of a loved one

under your tongue too long

without speaking it

it becomes blood

sigh

the little sucked-in breath of air

hiding everywhere

beneath your words.

No one sees

the fuel that feeds you.

10 comments:

A Strange Allure said...

Mother Nature in the hiz-ouse! I love what you did...when you told me about it, I couldn't quite get a mental image of it. It turned out rather lovely! And the wand! Wow...definitely bring that so I can see it in person.

I'm glad you are at peace now. :) Talk to you soon.

Marni

Hélène Deroubaix said...

Wonderful Tricia! wow,your art is so touching and speaks to my soul, it's a blessings really!
thank you for sharing :)
Blessings

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

beautiful work...glad things are calming...blessings, rebecca

Raven's Rest Studio, Jennifer Conway said...

Oh, you are so, so inspiring to me! I absolutely love your work!

Ro Bruhn said...

Lovely piece of art and a very special wand

Judy said...

That wand is sooo nice - your daughter must be over the moon!

Susan Tuttle said...

What a gorgeous piece and a very cool wand!!! Woh--I'm impressed!

Susan
xo

Kristen Robinson said...

Tricia you are so exceptionally talented I always enjoy my visits to your blog your work and words are lovely.

XOX
Kristen

Jen Crossley said...

Tricia
This is a wonderful piece you are very talented
Jen

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Really good. I love inspiration. Nita