A Fanciful Twist

Hablando de pajaros y otras cositas...

Speaking of birds & other little things...

Come in to my abode, let me tell you some silly stories before you are off to your next stop...

      

Perhaps the stories are not all that silly.  Here is the storyteller for the day.  She is known to scare a certain friend who calls her, Miss Stigmata.  Miss S is a gift from my Momm-bee.  I think Miss S is going to whip me into shape. As my art endeavors have been very slow this weekend...  She sits on the mushroom... Watching, waiting...

      

Wait, I need a sip before I can even get started.  It is so lonely to have a Mr. Lovee who does not enjoy a glass of wine.  I am at the point where I am such a lightweight that, only a few drops touch my lips and I am fluttering.... Join me, let's open one up and sip for a sec... Friends have offered a few bottles as offerings, to The Wooden Mermaids brother, both from the Philippines...

      

Back to the story, which at this point, seems like it might be a serious story. But really, it isn't.  It is a story that happened by chance...  You see, I was about to write a new post, when, my attention got taken away. I decided to visit a few friends first.  When the comic irony to my life, was the topic over at The Black Apple. Birds.  Birds?  Is this a coincidence.  I was about to tell you my bird story...

Frida wanted to join in... Can you hear her now... "Hablando de Pajaros (speaking of birds)... Oh, Freeda, thank you for joining us, in spirit...

        

You see, it has been made very clear by a few folks, including Emily (whose bird themed collection is quite lovely), that the bird trend has really seeped in.  Along the way, many of us have amassed quite the bird collection.  Some are ready for it to go away, some always had birds and always will.  Others don't much care, and yet others have barely started letting the birds flutter in.  All being A-okay as far as I am concerned.  Where are you in the bird call? 

      

As for my place in the bird call, birds are everywhere in this Hippie world I live in.  First of all, some of you have seen the crazy bird feeders I make. Bird feeders all over this yard.. All shapes and sizes. My first time here, at Mr. Lovee's, I was astounded at the bird books and diligent bird feedings in Mr. Lovee's world... I thought, No biggie .  Birds everywhere was fine.

Then, one little afternoon, I was poking around the bathroom I claimed as my own here.  I had, a few years back, painted a thick white coat of paint over an atrocious blue (hospital quality blue).  And I noticed not too long ago, one little corner was bubbling up a bit .  Well, too bad Sulu-Design was not here. She would have helped... You know what I did right?  Yep.... I couldn't help myself...

      

I peeled.  Under the paint, I found this hazy matte & chalky film covering some wallpaper... I got out a srubby thing and bleach. After scrubbing quite alot,  I found a wallpaper, that looked like this...

      

I thought, cute.  What next?  I was standing in a bathroom, that was once pleasantly white.  But now, I have this 1970's colored bird wallpaper. 

So, I did as any artist would do....  I took paint to it.  I now have this...

      

It is so funny.  I use to have this friend Carla in elementary school.  Her mother was the kookiest lady ever.  She used to ask us to paint on doors and walls (not colors, images), to change the ambience.  I always wished for that, but my mom would have my head before that would have ever happened in the world I grew up in...

Now, Mr. Lovee let me do this, painting on walls.  Only guess what?  I am stuck with it forever.  He loves it.  He is over the moon about it.  Trend or no trend.  I am living with birds in my Catalina bathroom for a very long time.  Oh well.  hee heeee.....It is funny. 

Oh, and I got the Anthropolgie shower curtain up.  The whole house smells like the shop.  I love it! What is that smell???

      

You can see from this shot above, the walls are not finished.  I have yet, another unfinished project.  You silly girl, did you think I had completeled this bird brain project?  Another thing to add to the list....Oh, forget it... I am burning the list... I mean really, whose life schedule am I on anyway? 

      

      

      

      

      

Okay.  Whew, Liberating.  Now I have nothing to do! YAY!  So, I suppose I will scadaddle back into the studio, as my Gouache paints are probably totally dry...And, my oils are getting chunky...Why must I put so much paint on my palette?

      

      

I love popsicles in summer!  Oh, and, I have some incredible treasures to share!  I can't ever thank enough!!!  Treasures coming from,  Jungle Dream Pagoda, Anastasia & Crust Station.  Unreal girls! I will share next time.  Have a lovely rest of your day! xxo

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...)

How much does one girl deserve?

I am keeping busy in the studio, but I decided to peek out and share a bit...As, my sharing cup runneth over, and my greedy self just adores such goodness.  Yes, I can be greedy.  But not for fancy cars or big houses, none of that silly stuff, quite frankly that stuff stresses me out.  But, what I am greedy for are treasures, and finds, and rotting furniture and frames that I get to drag home...Of course, I am greedy for art too, but that is another story, for another day.

Today I am talking about mailbox love.  You know, this is when your mailbox loves you so much it houses tons of parcels for you at one time. This was my mailbox on Monday afternoon...

      

Only, I am going to show it in spurts because I will ruin it if I show it all at once. WAIT!!  Is that a sound I hear???  The mail-girl is here?  I must run and be right back...I have an extra special purchase on its way!!!!!

      

It is her it is!! She is already across the street, and while I was getting my shoes on, I could see her hovering at my mailbox.  Can you even imagine what she must think when she delivers all those parcels to me?  She must die inside of curiosity! What a tough job.  If I were a mail-person, I would have to restrain for fear of jail, but I sure would like to carry a big box of tape, and just peek in everyones packages and then re-tape....

Oh, faint, swoon, joy too much! My heart...It is here.  I can't wait...Opening, and, yep, my Black Apple Originals!  I can not describe how amazing they are in person.  I guess I really did talk a bit about my art greed today after-all...

         

      

Aren't the new pieces a spectac addition to my little BlackApple girl above??? Can't wait to re-organize my wall...Dino, my artist friend, always says that 3 pieces makes you a collector (from the same artist that is). I also have an original conjoined twins silhouette. Love it too!

Oh, I also just put some treats in the shop, some greeting cards...I got a few more treats up my sleeve here in the very near future...Sneaky Sneaky....

        

      

Before I go to "Swap Treats" that are still trickling in, (please never stop)! I have to tell you about the best movie!!!  It is called "Fur."  Have you seen it?  I totally enjoyed it.  Circus freaks, which I adore, not freaks to me at all actually...   Nudist colonies, A bit scary to me, but only if I have to wander nude myself...  And, a bit of keys and Rabbit Holes!!!!  All in the name of a fictional account on the beginnings of how Diane Arbus began her strange photography evolution....LOVED it! Here are some tid-bits, taken from my television with my camera, can I go to jail for this?  Or pay huge fines????  YIKES!!!

Anyhow, I have to say, I really think the movie was not that far fetched....It could have happened, I mean, stranger things have....Even though it is fictional...I did some research...Not that fictional in my opinion...

        

      

      

      

      

Just watch it, you might like it.  If you like strange movies that is...Which I enjoy quite much...

Okay, so let's get to the parcel love from the swap ( I know, it is great, still from the Trader Joe's re-usable bags).  Just a few for today, like I said. So, here we go...

Look who came in a package for me, T.

      

Do you people know me or what?  Miss Tricia  sent this Canadian article about Tori Amos, huge brownie points.  Not to mention a lovely embroidery, with yes, my favorite, shoes, and the logo...Thank you bundles Miss Tricia!  I ate the candies faster than anything. Well, Mr. Lovee helped, and you know??? They are so much better than M&M's.  M&M's should be ashamed, tastin' the way they do!!! PS, if you can find a way to make me a pair of shoes that look like this one, I would be extra happy in life.  heeheeee

Look who was on the backside of this article.  Funny, Alanis!  So weird!!!

           

      

Miss Cindy  sent the cutest little creations for my cocktail hour...Plus some daintily beaded ear jewels, to name a few.  Thank you Miss Cindy!!  All that hard work! psst, that photograph of your cocktail jewels is wonderful! The colors!!!

      

Miss Wende's package entranced me with the most cleansing scent for starters, plus, I am adoring the little plaque!!!I love it! Are the other folks in the boonies on the coast of Oregon jealous of your bag yet???? Can't wait to hang this little treasure!

      

I think if I share one more I will put you in overload...Okay, Okay, one more....

I just love it, it is the most soothing print, I love your work Popwheel gal!  And, By the way, Miss Jennifer, I adore your business card!!! The scratch and sniff stickers, I couldn't get enough!!! It is soo funny, I just automatically scratched and sniffed!!!

      

      

Well, Ain't it too much for one girl??  I am so delighted and happy!  Too kind, too fun, too nice!!! And, I didn't even show it all!  You can't imagine what it has been like, opening all of these!  It has made my stressful life so very very wonderful!!!! xxxooooo

La Nina Curiosa, vende sus Curiosidades

What in the world is the meaning of such a title?  Well, I'll tell ya.   It means, "The Curious little girl, sells her curious little things."  That would be me.  Creating and selling curiosities, straight from my imagination onto paper, or into clay, or onto canvas...Anything I can get my little hands on that is...

What is the meaning of all of this you ask?  I am trying to simply explain that I have had a huge shop update at  A Fanciful Twist - the Etsy shop, & I am working on little tid-bits which will trickle in much this week. 

      

      

The whole purpose of my blog was to share the love of art.  Somewhere along the way, I forgot to share some of my creatures.  The first 10 years of my life in the arts, I was creating large scale paintings and art installations for people (much more serious).  As well a peddling my jewelry creations (still doing that).  However, in the past 4 years, I have allowed myself to tap into the illustrations, drawing the images that have roamed around in my head for ever so long.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy creating them.  They are a bit strange, but really, aren't we all??

      

I am having so much fun with it.  It makes me feel alive and free, to draw whatever I want, with no rhyme or reason.  And these little drawings, when I look into their eyes, seem all to familiar.  Like pointing at eachother, exclaiming, "I know you!"  Anyhow, come over to the shop if you'd like to take a peek at them all.  I am having such a hard time conveying how incredible the prints look.  My goodness, I exclaimed when I saw one printed!  It took 3 printers, hundreds in different papers, and so much time and aggravation to find a machine that would create such a lovely print.  I am smitten.

      

I am also still painting.  The serious stuff is lurking right now. Giving me a little break.  I included some paintings and plates in the shop update too. Some of you delightful girls, found your little steals before my update announcement! Thank you, that was fun and inspiring, to say the least!!

        

      

Bowls and plates, and all sorts of little treasures...You'll find...

       

                      

        

      

Miss Blue heart, Red-head (below), found a home already.  She will be missed, but will be ever so happy in her new home, I can more than assure you of that! There are other little plates in the shop and more to be added as they come out of the kiln.

      

Miss Cirque du Cupcake, is in the shop...

      

      

And, so is "Super Bake Girl."  Now remember, I invented her, so if you see her mass produced somewhere, well, actually, is there anything we can do really??? Probably not...

      

      

Those are just some bits and pieces of what went in the shop over the weekend.  I will be adding regularly, and I will let you know when I make large updates. 

Two more little characters which will be added tomorrow are...

Caracol con Flores (snail with flowers) &

      

Peacock Girl...

      

Most of my images will be going into greeting card packages as well. All to come.  I would love to hear your ideas?  Thoughts?  On all this madness???

How was your weekend? What did you do???

I was trying to catch the Fairies, through the old window in the backyard.

        

Instead, I found a half massacred body of a lizard.  I walked passed my chair, the one I swore to do something with 7 years ago, when I found it on the property, hidden. I just love the color...Can it be anything?

      

I also, did a lot of wondering...Specifically about how I became a country girl.  I shocked the heck outta myself with that....But then I remembered... The tales live in quiet unusual places...And sometimes, I can hear them in the wind...Now, how ever would I hear them amongst the noise in a big city?  Although, I think in the city, the tales seep out of dark warehouses, big abandoned buildings and underground....What do you think? 

I was at a funeral this weekend.  Funny, how everything feels surreal in life for a few days after a funeral...

I am off to work a bit, and maybe even wander....

      

(Next time, more lovely swap parcels that have trickled in.  They are just wonderful!!)