A Fanciful Twist

A little art, here and there...

Even though my loftish space is one door away from my studio... I think I should perhaps put a cot under the little white cottage table in the studio and move right in.  I have been in my little space in the world, hidden away.  Making friends with little characters.  Some have such deep personalities.  So much going on in little worlds appearing on canvas.

All this talk means my "A Fanciful Twist"  Etsy shop, will be getting an update tonight.  Here are some photos of the new art pieces...

      

The name of this piece is "Cupid's Revenge."  I See the girl as Psyche, like a butterfly, her heart, fluttering.  Full of unexpected love...  This is a larger scale piece. And, a very wonderful square shape. Quite an enjoybale size to work with actually.  24" x 24" x 1.75"

      

The canvas was prepared by decoupaging old paper bags onto the clean surface.  They were a smaller and thinner size than the average super market brown bags.  I found a package of this lovely stuff in the old canning shed that is now my gallery.  Why is it that even sandwich bags were better in the good old days? The paper is almost like specialty paper. Crunchy and crisp, with a lovely hue...

      

I had fun drawing this girl.  She has alot of movement in her... I also had cupid swirling in my mind.  What I do is draw the pieces on parchment card stock, with pencil.  I then cut them out and decoupage them to the canvas.  Like a paper doll of sorts...

      

I think I really enjoyed working with this size because it reminds me that my roots in art are as a large scale painter.  I know this size is not that large, but it is a small reminder.  Works I do for people in the interior design realm are quite large, and so you have a lot of room to let your composition unravel... Said pieces are usually destined to live on a big blank wall.  Fun stuff, that large scale work.   Although, sitting with a smaller piece, and getting into the details with my favorite size #1 brush is quite satisfying. I guess it is safe to say, I love it all.  From big to small, just as long as I am creating...

The next piece is titled, "The Mime's Daughters." 

      

      

I have this vision that the first mime painting I did, "The Rescuing of the Mime," may have been their mother,  as a girl...  Being rescued by the hot air balloons... She had lived a whole adventure, in her own right.  And now, the story changes, years later,  as there are now two daughters who must continue with the show.  I think the mime's are also expected to do "audience gasping" tricks. A tad forlorn, they are...

      

Although, you migt hear the story about who they are, being told a bit different.  That would be fascinating as well.

      

I am really enjoying the papers and buidling on the canvas.  It is messy, but so fun.  Sometimes I run out to do a quick errand and things happen like, I hand my credit card to the sales girl and I notice I have glue dried and scaled up and down the lower half of the outside of my arm.  Or, someone comes up to me and tells me I am bleeding.  As I have red paint on my toes and again, outside of my arm or elbow... Sheesh.

The last girl to share tonight was an absolute charmer.  She is one of the "Super Bake Girls", and appeared so unexpectedly.  Chatting me up as I was painting bows in her hair. Only, she was not speaking English. So, I would nod and smile.  I would softly whisper yes in every language I could think of.  Dah, Ne, Si, Oui, Ja.  I think she understood me in the end...  And, I think she said her name was Olivie.

      

So, we will call her, "Super bake Girl, Olivie."  The tablecloth in this piece is actually fabric.  The brown base of the table got cropped out of this photo, but there is a table base...  Olivie's skirt is made out of many layers of paper.  Has she charmed you too?  I want her piece of carved tree, candelabra.

      

I really have to try to not forget all of the different styles & mediums I like to work in.  It is so easy to get comfortable in one style and forget the ink drawings or even the oil pieces.  Olivie is not a paperdoll. She is drawn and painted onto the canvas.

      

I think Olivie is one of those girls, who chats and chats, then just as a guest comes in, she becomes quite quiet, until she warms up to you.. And then it is all chatter and laughter, once again.  Oh, and she is on one of those super extra thick canvas'.

That is all I have to say for now as I scadaddle.  On my way to update the shop. See you soon!!! xxo

What a Crepe-ee Day...

Hellooo Hellooooo.  I am on a creative flow... In the studio working away.  But I came up for air to simply say, " It has been a downright fitful, crepe-ee day!"

      

A fitful day in the sense that... Well, I had a fit this morning.  Yes. I have those occasionally.  Think of it, like the little girl, I mean, the lovely little girl... You know the one with the bows in her hair.  Who is trying on shoes with her mom at Buster Brown.  Think 1979.  She has an angelic face, and golden curls in her very long ponytails.  Her mother slips a red leather shoe onto the tiny foot, and asks "do you like these sweetie?" And the little girl turns pink, then red, then purple, then Aaaahhhhhhh." F-i-t.

      

The doll girl freaks out, screaming, "I hate these shoes, I hate these shoes." Ponytails fly out of her hair.  And, her mother, trying to do anything to get the munchkin to calm down, starts asking questions. "Do they hurt, do the red shoes hurt?"  "I'll get you a cookie? A pretzel? An Icee?  A lollipop."  But all the little girl can do is throw herself on the floor and kick and scream, stopping only for a long breath followed by, yet another wail... (photo by Jill Greenberg. From the "End Times" Exhibit)

The truth is. The little girl didn't know why she had a fit then, and doesn't know why she has them now.  (Only, now that she is a bit older than 4, the chances of hormones playing a part, is a bit higher)

Well, that is what happens around here occasionally.  The girl throws a fit.  And her manny tries so hard to make her feel better.  Even offering to drive her back to that little old town village to purchase that unnecessary treasure.  (Which they did, details to follow in next post)

But, she decided.  No, I will not fall into fit-dom.  I will make Crepes...  Crepes served with regular and white peaches.  Peaches that have been cooked in brown sugar and butter...(it is so fun cooking at Mr. Lovee's.  He has such a down home array of cookware.  Like cast iron pans, and heavy duty glass saucepans.  Tres interesante for cooking, I'd say)

       

And, so it was a  fact. The crepes saved, the crepey day...

Pour

      

Tilt pan around and around (with mits on), to even out thickness.  Wait 20 seconds.  Flip with tip of fingers. (Have some with raspberry jam too)

      

      

Make some artsy ones for fun....

      

Now, stay for a few, while I get back to work...  I am running back to the studio.  I am so annoyed at myself for not having the paintings I have completed ready for viewing today....  But soon, sooner than soon... xxo

Oh, and look at tonights sky from the front yard... Halloween is a comin'...

      

Has it ever happened...

Has it ever happened, that you are skipping through life, delighted and at peace... Humming along, when all of a sudden you feel yourself getting sucked into one of "life's little cracks?"   The kind where your favorite shoe slowly starts to slip into an abyss, and your knees turn to water... The kind that makes you feel like the thread of a long balloon, is slipping out of your fingers...  You might find yourself  in shock, other times in dismay... Those times that feel like, only one little grey cloud has formed  in the sky, and you know it is just for you...

      

It seems that many people that I love and care about are going through times just like this.  Some are work related, some health related, others are relationship related.  So many life things swirling about...

Many people out there, right at this very moment, feel like they are spiraling down into some unknown place...

      

I for one am a purveyor of trying to see the hopeful side of things.  Of keeping the faith.  But, sometimes life just throws you a curveball.  And, I try not to discount a person's feelings.  The term "get over it," does not sit well with me.  Sometimes a person doesn't have it in them to be strong.  We all need a little nest that we can hide in and sob...

      

You just might wake up to find a little unexpected cloud. When these things happen to us, are we ever prepared?  Do we have a place to crawl into to feel warmth? To be held in a protective cocoon?  To have "numb" time.  I feel helpless sometimes, in that I can't help my friends.  I lend an ear.  I lend my time and my heart... And maybe, that is all a person really needs?

There aren't just the stairs that seemingly lead downwards...  There are stairs that lead you upwards... The destination point, might seem unknown as you start to climb... But, after a bit of a childlike fit, I always try to climb... Searching for a happy space once again...

      

One thing I love is that I can call on my family. Even when I don't realize that I need them. I might take that impromtu visit to my parents house.. And as I enter the house, I hear my dad holler, "I just bought some Pan Dulce." (Spanish sweet treats.)  He follows that with "just because you were coming..."  And I think, "Why this is a cozy little nook, I so needed this..."

      

As I head for that first sweet buttery treat filled with a smooth mild cream cheese, I think. "Boy my dad is funny." And I realize that my mom has not only set this on her usual pewter tray, she has used thick pink doilies.  I am blissfully aware that the Pan Dulce, the doilies, the coffee brewing...  These are snippets of love...

      

And, as we stand around chatting. Taking little pieces here and there (My mom repeating  "get a plate"), I know this is my lovely cloud on this very day. Above all, I know that this is where I am totally safe. Safe to be me. Safe to cry. Safe to share.  And, I realize, this is something special...

      

We continue to nibble, never taking plates.  Sharing stories back and forth.  Loving each moment.

      

It is lovely to have a little place to go to, when in need of a friend or family member.  Some of us, like to cope alone. Retreating to a quiet space to read or write.  Others enjoying a group of people, to sing and carry on with...  I for one, am simply glad, that I have found you and you have found me... And, on occassion, we can just open up like this and chat...

      

Curious, Curiosities, Curiosidades

There once was this funny little girl.  She would whisper for hours with her dolls, practically crawling inside of her magnificent dollhouse. 

      

She dressed her dolls in jewels and gowns... Dreaming of times and places she could have never lived in...  Her mother referred to her as Contess Frangipani.  She dreamed herself as Cornelia Sweetflour... But her real name would always be Vanessa Valencia Cola Pestilencia. 

She announced proudly to boys and then men, that she would never give up her name.  Joyously encouraging that they might take on hers...

          

She dreamed she would always be the same little girl. Only wishing to be older so she could have treasure chests filled with jewels... She dreamed this while sitting in the grass, under big trees, plucking leaves off of flowers & nibbling on treats... She made her own wishes into the wind...

      

She grew up in a little village that surrounded a very very old wonderul church.  The church had beautiful stained glass windows, and sky high ceilings, with dark wooden beams and medieval designs... Two giant angels, hovered way up above ... Sometimes she'd visit alone.. A wonderful escape. When noone was around she would find peace & relish in the wonderful scent of an old beautiful church... Candles and incense...

      

She was fascinated with fountains and old garden statues... She knew that when she grew up she would have statues like the ones in old cemetaries, strewn throughout her garden...

      

She wanted to be a bit like Miss Havisham (some of you know her as Miss Dinsmoor), sans the whole, left at the alter mean hag thing.  Going more for the old gowns and collapsing old, mansion  effect... Still, always the dream of a perpetual dress up party loomed... And jewels, jewels, jewels...

      

Oh life was not all perfection for the little miss.  She had the regular school tauntings, and the usual teenage angst... But she had a mother who sent her off to school with sandwiches shaped like hearts, and freshly baked delicacies...  Of course, she didn't realize the tenderness of her mother's doings until she was a much older girl. But the memories were blissful... (Oh, and she had a father too, who would drop anything he was doing to fulfill the munchkins every whim - almost-  he also had a paddle that said, "heat for the seat." But that is a whole other show, as they say)

The girl worried all of the time, that she would forget her youthful desires.  Fountains and statues, jewels and perpetual dress-ups... Curio cabinets filled to the brim!!!

      

She went off to University and got a degree, she went through lots of loves and had some horrid jobs... But the good news was... She never did forget that little girl inside of her... And, years ago, when she was ready... She schlepped home a fountain, and a bizillion other treasures...

      

Oh, the love of the sound of a trickling fountain...

      

The girl still plays dress up, and has quite a ball, alone in a drawer, like those days in the dollhouse.  But now, she has many jewels that suit her fancy (and budget, afterall she is a single girl making her own way in a great big world).  The good news is that when she comes home with that huge piano (she already has 3) and a bag (s) of loot.. She has noone to yell at her, or ask to see the checkbook. heehee.  Although, Mr. Lovee might slightly over-react at the amount of loot she hauls to Catalina.

      

You might be asking yourself, Why today's tale?  The purpose is quite simple.  To remind you to try to never forget that girl inside of you. No matter what age you are. No matter how many kids or husbands, you've had, or haven't had... There is still a girl in you, who might want to play dress up... Who might want to eat chocloate croissants in bed and listen to weird old music (one of my faves). 

      

A Girl who might have a heavy heart and need to be reminded of the precious person she holds inside.  The outside really is only a tattered case, for a magical violin... It is inside that the song still plays...  You are never too young to know this, and never to old to remember this... No matter what age.  Now is the time to play & above all, to nurture your soul...

Do something silly, have a ball of your own... Play dress up!  Wear you favorite jewels to the grocery store.  I know I do...

      

And for those of you girls, who are still quite young... And feel like you are running out of time to get things done... Rememeber there are no rules for when it is time to find the perfect man, no rules on when to have babies or when to find the perfect job.  Take a deep breath, dance around, embrace your age and who you are... You'll look back and be glad that you did...

We all change from day to day. Who you were at 25 will not be who you are at 35, and so on...  Don't rush the choices. By golly, we have so many of them!

I know for me, I am still a girl inside.  That girl who used to dream.  The little girl in me, thanks me everyday for keeping her around... Although, sometimes, we go a little overboard with the collecting...

      

Just a few days ago, I thought of my wonderful mom, and her love of all things dress up.  How she has kept her "girl" alive. She is funny and youthful.  She has helped me to know how to nurture myself, and supports all my crazy choices...I missed her lovely heart shaped sandwiches, dolls, jewels and pink galore... So I jumped into the car and drove out of town, off to visit her and my dad.  I warned noone. Hence my disappearance  ;)  I knew, when it was time, for their always "little girl," to make a much needed visit.

It's that time...

What time you ask?  Were you waiting patiently? Have you forgotten already?  It is time to announce the name drawn for the 100th post Giveaway.  Mr. Lovee was being cheeky, so I decided to draw the name myself.  It was sooo much fun!!

Into the giant old chinese basket the names went...

      

And the winner is.......

      

Yippee!  Blue!! Gillian of Indigo Blue!  Congrats lovely girl!!! She keeps a wonderful blog and is ever so nice.  She is a Spa Owner in Canada!!! Hip-Hip Hooray!!!

You girls were so lovely for being supportive and kind. I am all better from my wounds, and I will have a few new paintings in the next post...

Have any of you been over to the OC Register(Orange County), and noticed the wonderful blog called SketchLife?  It is a wonderful blog written by Lisa Mertins. Her sketches are just wonderful.  I love popping in to see the whimsical detail in her illustrations.

      

She has posted a few pieces of my work in her current blog post.  But, that is not the only reason I am urging you to visit her. Trust me you will LOVE her sketches & her words!  Take a visit...

Also, I have been meaning to share this for ages... One of my favorite places, Owly Shadow Puppets.  I ordered a mermaid and I just love her!  Her detail is amazing! You can't see her eyelashes, but in person, they are wonderful!

      

Well, off to bed I go.  Don't worry, I will have another giveaway very soon. And, who knows... I might even have something else up my sleeve...

Sweet Dreams, for now!!!

      

My Crystal Ball Tells Me...

First it tells me, it's not crystal, it's mercury.  But that is okay, I can still see a message shining through...  Do I see the word Giveaway?

      

Secondly, the magic mercury ball tells me that a bunch of you are getting very very excited for October...  Seems like the broom-sticks are getting polished and the hats are getting stitched...  Spooky season is just around the corner.  I know it is only August, but, in the Arts and Crafts world, October 2007 started being planned on November 1st, 2006.

      

Needless to say, October is one of my favorite months of the year. And, if anyone of you want to invite me to a place where leaves turn and Halloween is a spectacular event, then let me know, and I will start packing my bags.  My poor little soul yearns for big trees and orange leaves... Alas, the desert gives us a very low key Autumn.

Every October, I throw a witches party for girls only.  We get out the fancy stuff and go all out!  It is sooo much fun!!! I just can not wait!!

      

Spooky houses, candy, bobbing for apples... Do you love all that too?  My Halloween fun is all silly and child-like. Carmel and Candy apples galore...  Perhaps I am getting carried away... I mean we have two whole months... EEK, it is soon!!  I had this dream once, of  Halloween, where everything glittered...And so many details, oh, it was wonderful.. I have to re-create it before the memory gets too far away...

               

I almost forgot!! The next post is my 100th. Soooo, I am having a giveaway.  I will include fun things + prints from my "AFanciful Twist" shop, and a treat... All you have to do is leave a comment in celebration, and then promise to send me back a small treat.  Like a postcard or something... Just so I know you received your Giveaway Treasure.  We'll put the names in a hat, and Mr. Lovee will draw a winner on Wednesday...

Warning, Today's Woes:

Soooo, I am off to rest a bit.  You see, a creature stung me last night at 2:38 a.m. In my blissful sleep.  I am sorry to say, it was a dreadful Scorpion.  My first sting was 4 years ago.  I thought someone had broken into the house.  My first thought was that I was being attacked with a sledge hammer, and that my elbow had been shattered.  Thank goodness, that was not the case. However, it was a scorpion sting on the elbow.   The pain, in my case (all cases are different) feels like breaking bones. 

This sting is on my left middle finger left lower side.  I also thrashed my left ring finger earlier in the day pulling weeds around this horrid thing.

Barrel Cactus. Cuts like Bear claws.

          

It took out a wee chunk.  Not to be graffic, but, that is why I am slow in posting, and lazy lazy lazy.  Oh, and if you think wrecking two left fingers in a day isn't bad enough, a skunk crawled onto the roof, who knows how.. And sprayed into the cooler at 4:56 a.m. Can you imagine?  The house was a pit.  It is funny now, but it wasn't early this morning.  I am almost back to normal. Ha. Poor manny of mine.  Taking all the bedding off of my bed in my private suite, only to have me, insist on sleeping in his part of the house, on the couch.  Oh, and as I was going to sleep, I heard a bunch of noise. It turned out, my manny was killing another scorpion. YIKEsss!

Get me outta here!!!

Where on Earth's Doily Have you Been Hiding?

I have been under mountains of odd things. Kind of like trying to get passed a giant toadstool lodged in a doorframe.  But, I have also spent a wonderful amount of time in my own world... With visits from charming creatures.  Oh, they come to me with loads of stories... Again, convincing me as to why they should be brought to life... Such as the "The Harpist's Bliss," below... To be found,  in my shop as soon as I am done typing this...

        

Her shoes are a hot pink. For some reason, the computer is seeing them as red. This painting is 16" x 20" x 1.5".  It is heavily textured, and quite dreamy in person. Layers and Layers and layers...

              

I think the harp will be my next instrument. Do you think you can all put a good word in with Mr. Lovee?  I really would love to own a harp.That really would be bliss.... 

Did I tell you about the mermaid who had only one wish... To escape for one day with that handsome sailor??? Poor Siren... "The Siren's One Wish."  11" x 14" x 1.5  Her tail is not only rock hard, it has an iridescent teal haze...

      

      

       

We also had another visit from the darling little one... Miss Peculiar... I love her visits... " A Peculiar Day, Red Balloon." I textured the trees by sculpting them out of paper before painting them... 10" x 10" x 1.5"

      

      

Oh, and, guess who got a sculpted tree too? "The Faun's Nocturne."  I just felt like something was missing. So this creature is headed back into the shop with a whole new look...

      

      

And,  the last little creation, before we get to conversation time is... " The Mime's Protege." She is on one of those super thick storybook canvases. 10" x 10" x 2.5"

      

      

So there you have it. Treats in the shop. The place was desperately begging for an update..

Oh, I forgot to show you the doily I really have been hiding behind.  To update you a bit, a billion things have happened.  Let's see, we got a giant new electric pole. This will upgrade the electricity so that I can have two huge kilns working at all times.  This meant that I had power off and on for a few days. Altering my visits here dramatically. 

          

Then, I went to visit my friend Dino.  He had left a note. He left. He moved. And left all his stuff behind. Shocking really.  So, Mr. Lovee and I packed up everything and put it in storage.  All I can hope is that Dino is happy and safe...As you can see, we have had little wrenches thrown at our week.

Oh enough of that.. The fun news is that, some of my friends have decided to share their title of "Rockin" bloggers with me.  Thank you to my darling special SarahFoxling, Miss MarmeeCraft love shack girl, the little band-aid clad wonderful seamstress Cindy, & the lovely and enchanting Celestine Musings ... I promise, I did not pay them all... Oh, heck, who am I kidding.. Yes, I paid them, they each get a phantom lifetime supply of bubble-gum... SPLACK! I am going to be a part of the "I am rubber you are glue group," and bounce the love back to them all over again. And, while I am at it. I think you are a "rockin" blogger as well. So CHEERS!!!  I am bending the rules for now.

I have a fun game to play.  Miss Shabby's game.  It has to do with 7 wonders of the world. But, I am sorry, I am changing it up too.  As the picture I wanted to use only has five. So I am naming these girls the "5 Bathing Beautie Wonders" of the day.

The beauties can be visited at their blogs...

Tara, Paris Parfait.

EB, Be...Dream...Play...

Stephanie, Rodrigvitz Style

Donna O., The Ribboned Crown

And, the one who started all of this here... Phyllis, Shabby in the City

I am off for now.  I have to update that shop, and I have more painting to do... See you sooner than last time...(Altered Photo copyrighted in its original version by lunagirl)

What's a Girl to do....

I am using this title for a moment, although it is not mine.  Many of you might find this visit a tad unusual.  But hang on for a sec, because I have escaped from the studio just to see you!

      

The "painting door" is right.  I am here only to Gush.  I have fallen in love.  But, before I jump into that, let me explain...  I am a music person.  The feelings I used to get in the car as a kid, when I heard a song I loved, would send my belly into a fit of butterflies, passions, love, and dreams.  Oh, my music loves are all over the place, from bizarre to dorky, and back around again...  When I was a teenager, my ears were infused with Depeche Mode, New Order, The Smiths, The Cure and just too many to list.  I lived with my headphones on...  Dreaming and painting, even back then...

      

             (Depeche Mode, Picture from www.101klub.hu/images/dm01.jpg)

I was coherent enough to experience 80's music, oh was that a fun time.  Hair scrunchies, 4 pairs of socks at a time, Cyndi Lauper.. Oh yes, good times.... Cruisin' in my white rabbit convertible as a teenager for hours and hours, music blaring...

        

(Album cover photo)

In 1992, my heart was won over by, Tori Amos.  I think it is because I am a piano player as well. I was a late bloomer to Kate Bush, but loved her all the same.  And, when Bjork came out, in about 1993, I was smitten. 

          

(Bjork, Album, Homogenic, 1997, from www.recordresearch.com/.../images/Bjork.jpg)

But, I am also a lover of music from the 20's to the 60's, to the 90's, and even before that. I love classical music, and harps...  I will have loves forever, from Django Reinhardt, to Edith Piaf. From Stevie Nicks to David Bowie.  Music is my life line.  It helps me create, it is a crucial part of me...

      

(Picture from -Django Reinhardt in the middle- Google Images, Encyclopedia,http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=3726&rendTypeId=4)

However, the bond to Tori Amos was huge for me.  It lasted and lasted and lasted.. She has changed, she has gone from just unreal to wonderful to being a mom and an adult.  I will always love her.

            

With that said, the news is, it has been a really really long time since I felt that spark in my belly. Since I was won over wholeheartedly by a voice and a person...

Lilies & Ether and I have gushed together about this. Like teenage girls.  Who am I speaking of?  I am speaking of Bat for lashes.  I have fallen head over heels for Natasha Khan.  From her haunting voice to her head-dresses... I am in love. 

                           

You must check it out... Bat for lashes is wonderful!! You can visit the Bat for lashes MySpace Page, or look at this, I brought her & the other lovelies, right to you...

      

I think this video below is perfection.  It makes me laugh... Love the little Halloween people with the balloons!  This tune is only one of many wonderful ones.  I love this beat...

      

I know, some of you will think I have lost my marbles... I have not.  I have many many sides to my personality...  But please, tell me, what happened when you dated a guy with Beatles hair?? Or when you couldn't get enough of Pink Floyd, or when, well spit it out, tell me, what were you listening to when you felt the belly spark??? What makes you tick? Or jump out of your seat? What makes you sing as loud as you can in the car alone??? I want to know... "Ain't no mountain high, ain't no valley low...." Yep, I knew it.... That makes me sing too.

In other news, I was checking things in Etsy, and decided to shop a bit.  I was happliy surprised! Guess who I found with a NEW little shop full of originals???? Lisa Congdon!  So, if you were itching for an original and never ever could manage to be fast enough to snatch one up on her website, well, you better get over there now!! I already snatched up some lovely cards!!! I really love National... Of course, I love them all.. But, that one is speaking to me in the late hours...

I am back to the studio.. Adios, for now...

        

Can you do this??? Okay, you can....

      

But I bet you won't slap that hand on a white wall in your house??

      

      

Okay, okay, I 'm leaving...

Her Grace Lady Vanessa the Ingenious of Melbury Bubblewick

Would you happen to remember my little mandolin heist of May 2007?  Well, the way that all turned out was not in my favorite spoiled girl fashion.  Sadly, Mr. Lovee said "No, you can not have the Mandolin..."  I begged, I pleaded... and he decided to offer me a deal...

      

If I wanted the mandolin below, which happens to be the one I found in the music room. I would have to give up something of my own as a sort of, trade...

      

I would have to trade a mandolin I already own, for the old one.  Mr. Lovee had the mandolin below, made for me for my 30th birthday.  So, like I said, the only way I can have the old mandolin is to trade him for the one below...

      

      

Now, I don't want to give up this beauty. And, let's be serious, I mean, we all know that somehow, someday, I will acquire the old mandolin... Right?  Hmm, I don't know, he is being really really tough.... What should I do?  Give up?  Just keep mine and be happy??

I guess for now, I'll just have to behave...  I am keeping busy in the studio.  I mean, really really busy.  I have been painting & making paper dresses, non-stop, for days...  Here is just a teensy smidgen of what I am up to...

      

I have to say, the more rain, the more fungi friends. And, the more fungi friends, the more I want to paint more of my "Peculiar Day" series...

      

So, here is a Peculiar Day girl in the making... I am actually sculpting the trees out of paper. Too fun! And, too messy!!

      

I have to get back to my art studies... Self induced art studies.  I spend so much time in the books.  I just can't stop!!! Come sit and read with me, would ya?

      

Oh, and if you are wondering what in the heck the title of this blog post means... Well, you can thank the darling Miss Cre8tiva.  She shared the funnest place to get your own "Peculiar Aristocratic title..." So, go on and get one, and tell me what your new name is... Can't wait!!!  Tooooo FUN!!!! I am easily amuzed!!! Obviously...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Grace Lady Vanessa the Ingenious of Melbury Bubblewick Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Don't you find it interesting how, I have Bubblewick in my title??? I know, this picture is gross, but hey, look at the size of that bubble!!! They don't call me Bubblewick for nothin'...

      

Okay, back to my little world! Next time, I have some major "rockin' blogger fun" to share...

Jump in the picture for a little tea before you go.. Heck, you might even leave with a lifesize paper gown if you are lucky...

      

See you so very soon!!!

(Painting of girl with Mandolin, Melody, Kate Elizabeth Bunce, c.1895-7, oil on canvas.  Last painting here, The Captive Robin, John Fitzgerald, c.1865m oil on canvas.)

A Wonderfully Peculiar Morning...

The guests had all gone.  She spent days with them, running here and there. But, now it was time to rest her head, and have a few dreams.  Creatures looming, telling her tales, reminding her of what their little faces look like.  In the depths of her sleep, she heard a haunting tune... She hopped out of her fluffy white cloud. The only sign that she had been there, peacefully sleeping, was her abandonded 1800's crown...

      

It was dawn.  The birds had just begun their chatter. Dew still hovering over natures new patches of green... The girl could not be stopped. She was entranced, beckoned by the tune... Could it be the Faun?  She started on the path...

      

She could see movement in the trees. A little creature ran from her, hiding... Leaving his French Horn behind...

      

She couldn't resist. She wanted to touch the instrument.  She fell in love with it instantly. It had a lingering design in the metal... So beautiful, she thought...

      

        

All of a sudden, she found herself distracted... Passed the dancing beauties, ran all the little critters. Bunnies and birds... They all skipped towards a pasture...

      

She wanted to join them.  But, she knew she would have to cross the giant Prickly Pear, leaving a gift behind in the old old old wheelbarrow.  She quickly made a head crown of leaves and flowers, tossing it into the wheelbarrow, and scurried through the towering cacti.

      

She tried not to look from side to side, as the cacti where very intimidating...

      

The sun was peeking over the mountains, and the dew seemed to sparkle, like the dust of jewels. She had made it to where the furry critters were gathering... She gasped at the beauty.  She hid behind a bush, watching...   There she saw St. Francis...

      

She knelt in the moist ground, little fungi friends scattered here and there...

      

      

Alas, she knew, it was time to leave the furry critters behind. She felt she was invading their space...  She tip-toed away, and continued her search.. But, what was she searching for?  A tune had drawn her near... What would she find?  It didn't matter, it was so beautiful outside...

      

She happily passed the sculptural windmill, and went under the drooping tree. It was time to say a quick hello to the tree of life (work in progress).  Her ripe belly looked as if it would just burst...

      

On and on she walked... Passing many prayerful creatures.... Some even missing their head...

      

      

She could hear the ring-around-the-rosie girls... They sang all day.. Swaying back and forth, "Hi girls" they all waved...

      

So many new little flowers...

      

In the distance she could see, the little flower bud seat, and she seemed to know, the reason for this journey was near...

      

A thoughtful stop at the prayer place. A place she actually refers to as her "sanctuary..."

      

Now, she was in a bit of a hurry, as she really was certain, there was something magical happening in the garden.  She made a quick jaunt, passed the big old tree, and headed to the other side of the yard, an acre away...

      

And then, it was all clear. She now knew what day it was... She slowly walked up to her favorite little tree. The tree she was told 3 years ago, was dead.  She worked to feed it, love it, and nurse it back to life...

      

Why, it was Peach Pickin' day!!!!!! Yipppeeeee!!!!!!!!

      

Her manny was already there.  He wanted to surpirse her with fresh peaches for the day.  What a nice Mr. Lovee...

      

The peaches had been tied up in safe little packages... Sadly, some of them had only remnants, as the tearing open of the bag held nothing inside. Evidence lay below...

      

      

      

Still, they happily picked.  And, don't really mind that some little critters got a treat here and there...

      

Mr. Lovee got several...

      

I think he is offering you a ripe juicy peach... Yes, Mr. Lovee, do, they are so lovely and kind to the girl...

She had collected her own peach & was thoroughly delighted! Childhood memories of James, flooding in...

      

That is the story of the day...

I am now off to work. Content with my pleasant morning. Yearning to get caught up with lots of visits to you and many projects that are way behind...

I will be diligently working here for a few days. But, I will be back soon, and please, don't give up on me just yet..... xxo