I have a tale I have been itching to share for so long. A tale about one of the largest projects I have ever worked on. A project super dear to my heart, that I managed to pull off during a time that I was spinning in all sorts of life madness. A project whose pieces are now available to find homes too...
Come on in, and I will share this lil' story...
An art tale of sorts.
You see, this was the type of project that you lose yourself in the busyness of, and work load of. But then afterwards you say, I am sooooo glad I jumped into that head first.
I think I will start from the end of my story, and work my way to the beginning of this Somerset Workshop adventure tale....
You see, it is this very Flower Song girl, who found her way to the cover of Somerset Workshop, and surprised the bloomers off me, with joy.
You might recall the towers of packages I shared in April 2010?
They were shipped off to California, where art dreams are made into reality at Stampington & Company.
The lovely editor I worked with is named Jennifer Jackson (she is wonderful). I was contacted by her in Spring of 2010, and asked to be a part of Somerset Workshop. Her note was followed by a list of what they would need from me, and a time frame. Gulp gulp.
I can do this, I thought.
Gulp.
15 pieces of art, 4 stepped out Projects (and by that I mean each step, stepped out, to the tune of several canvases per project and several dolls per project)and articles.
And, every supply and bit and bob I used to create the pieces, was to be shipped to California. Where the magicians would take photos and put the whole thing together, without me even being there. Magic? I think so :)
I said yes.
After I said yes, I sat in the darkness, and played two hours of invented tunes on my piano, sort of beckoning enchanted characters, to come and find me.
As I recall, it was on that very night, whilst playing my piano, that the girls appeared...
The first sketch that found her way to me, on her way to becoming a paper dress girl was -
Bright Star of Love...
I had found a piece of music, Violin.
I don't know about you, but violin moves me tremendously.
I could hear the violin strings...
As she came to life...
Spring and early summer, was a busy time, creating and writing.
I had a party...
In a painting that is ;)
With giant mushrooms and colorful flag banners, and oodles of mica flakes and candy colored sparkles...
Then there was a Little Gypsy, with her blue bird and blue shoes, who stopped in for a visit.
Was she secretly a bird too?
She danced through old French letters, and glowing orbs of silver sparkles...
The gypsy girl...
In her intriguingly plum world...
Then I had a visit from a the Dream Keeper.
Keeping time, and secrets from our deepest dreams...
She has sisters too...
But first I must share about the tea party. You know, those kind of parties that are pink and teal, and hosted by Super Bake Girls©...
Cupcake infused :)
The fairies were invited, as per regular tea party custom...
A sparkly fairy...
And her Fairy Dance...
Violet, with her shiny brown hair, keeps dreams too...
Perhaps she is keeping a dream for you, the one your tried to remember, but then forgot :)
Maybe it was the dream about the billowing gown you wore, and the stars dancing all around?
Where pink skies and golden clouds, keep you from touching the ground...
I think, this is where I'd like to be right now :)
Then again, Tea for One is something I enjoy too, don't you?
A teeny gal, in a pretty dress, baked a cake just for herself, to celebrate a pretty little everyday.
Oh, and I must introduce you to Magnolia.
She keeps dreams as well, and sometimes, she brings treasures back with her from dream world. Like mushrooms and golden bees....
I can't tell you, how delighted I am to finally be telling you this tale. Many of you know the laundry list of things that turned up every time I wanted to share my exciting story.
It's like, I would open my mouth to talk, and the universe would say, hold on to that thought... :)
What is it that they say?
Patience is a virtue.
I have more patience in me than I ever knew. I always thought I was impatient. But it turns out, I am a bit the opposite. Funny, the things you find out about yourself, when the ballerinas come to visit...
Calm and peace in...
Love's Confession.
With a wooden filigree accent, and golden paint here and there...
I love that there is sparkle on her lip, that you can't really see in person, unless the light is shining just right....
This piece takes me to such lovely places...
I'd quite like a giant birdling too, how about you?
Have you ever been outside, late at night, when there is a full moon, and the weather is just right?
Where you look up at the stars, and you want to drink them in...
To memorize the moment?
Do you ever tilt your head back, and feel the beautiful breeze, under the moonlight...
And almost, feel like you are floating?
That is what I was feeling, when I painted
Dream Upon the Midnight Song...
Around the same time, I was looking through my vintage music books. Some are so old that the pages crumbled as you turn them.
I came upon the title of a piece of music called -
The Dream After the Ball...
I thought about, how the color of an old ballroom by night, is champagne toned...
Where the dance is almost a character itself, as golden candle lights flicker.
And how, as the night comes to an end, a flutter still dances around you...
Especially if the night was wonderful.
Creating...
~ The Dream After the Ball ~
And so, that is the tale of my journey with these art pieces.
I send a hearty thank you, to Jennifer Jackson, and everyone over at Stampington, for the endless days and hours they spend, making art dreams come to life ;) And, for the 7 HUGE boxes it took to get my work back to me, which were packaged beyond professionally. Many Many thank yous!
By the way, all of the pieces in this post, that were featured in Somerset Workshop 2010, are looking for homes.
I have been working on photographing and listing them in my shop, and they are now available.
Any piece that you do not see in my shop, has sold. However, per my little protocol, I will offer archival canvas prints of them, shortly after they sell.
Now I need some fresh air and coffee, or perhaps a cup of Lady Grey? Oh yes, that sounds yumm ;)
,V
ps: Holiday goodies are around the corner.
