The other day, I was pondering my love for growing things and petals. For a moment, I had this perfect understanding of how art and gardening go hand in hand. How I devour the colors and textures in the garden, and feel refueled to create after tending flowers.
It isn't just live flowers that I have a fondness for.
One of my greatest joys is hanging flowers to dry and also, pressing them in books.
I get so excited, during rose season especially, to create little bundles that will hang about the house...
Colors slowly intensifying as they dry.
Yesterday I stood gazing up at the drying roses...
Their colors so lush and deepened in their dried stage.
I realized that I am inspired to paint, when I see color.
Color is an inspiration in its own rite, isn't it?
I enjoyed a morning of choosing some of the dried roses to put into my antique cabinet where I keep old collected saints and religious tid-bits.
I felt so inspired.
The melding of the colors, delicious.
I couldn't believe the total joy and "I want to make something now" feelings that the blues and reds, to pinks and purples + peeling paint were filling me with.
I thought, this is just what I needed.
The deepened colors of dried roses.
Yes, it's just what I needed, I thought again.
I don't share my religious beliefs often, if at all.
As I find them to be not only private (although strong and vast), but also we are all so different in what we believe in, that I never want to push my beliefs on anyone.
And most importantly, I respect everyone's beliefs ardently.
Just look at our household, I was raised Catholic, Mister Lovee Jewish.
So, I have totally open respect for all.
But I will say this, the colors in this antique cabinet, combined with religious bits and bobs that remind me of what I believe in, make me feel so full and happy.
It's always nice to have a little reminder of something that gives you hope, surrounding you, isn't it?
I for one love shrines filled with collections.
Religious or not.
Just a smattering of things that can quickly make you feel better, is what it's all about.
As I dusted each piece, and tucked dried flowers in here and there, I just couldn't get over this sort of mad infusion of color lifting my spirits.
I marveled at how a light yellow tea rose gained shades of peach and orange.
How coral roses had turned a bright cherry red.
How light lavender roses turned a beautiful purple.
I felt a need to urge you to go collect flowers and dry them upside down.
If you don't already.
They are so fun to tuck in here and there.
And, during winter months, they are a grand reminder of spring and summer.
A spirit lifter indeed.
Colors and how they affect your mood....
Interesting topic isn't it?
Color.
Mixing paint.
My brain jumps to...
Pink, red, teal, blue, lavender, yellow, lime green..
Flowers.
Textures.
I think of places.
Mexico, Italy, Morocco, and more...
Color inspirations.
Delicious infusions.
What's your fave color?
What about your least fave color?
Why?
I love all shades of teal/sea foam green, and pinks, oh pinks!
I am less partial to yellow on my own walls (even though I love the color), simply because I had a yellow room when I was really young.
Yellow bedspread, yellow Holly Hobby wallpaper, yellow everything.
You?
Oh delicious color!!
Makes me want to go straight to India, or paint a wall fuchsia.
Yummm!
Color shenanigans I tell ya.
;)
Love, V
ps: Still feeling a little better everyday after the anaphylactic scare. Some days better than others. Psychologically, sometimes I feel panic stricken, sometimes I feel fine. Par for the course?