At the centre of your being you have the answer, you know who you are and you know what you want ~ Lao Tzu

Saturday, January 26

Focus on Life - Week 4

Another week, another prompt from Sally Russick for the year-long photo challenge to Focus on Life.
This week's prompt is Create Art! which I have been doing for the last couple of weeks...
Last week I let my subconscious do the painting, this week I chose quotes from my quote box...
On Tuesday, I chose this


and painted this in the repurposed diary I shared last week, still playing around with acrylics.


She's bundled up nice and warm as this is how our garden has looked this week...


Then on Thursday, I pulled this quote from the box...


... and decided to make a card ready for next month's Artella Mystery Muse (which is like a Secret Santa but in February...)


So I've made two pieces of art this week, and I can't wait to see what everyone else has been creating this week :)

PS I finally remembered to have a lil' play in Picasa with some of the photos before I posted them. I museum mounted the painting, and vignetted the snowy pics, whatever that means...

xxx




22 comments:

Patti Vanderbloemen said...

My very first impression of your "Open the Door" painting was of Mother Nature, taking care of the animals during the snow...I don't know whay, but that is how my mind works! Love it! And your card - with the sweet heart - is so appropriate for February! After all, I always refer to Valentine's Day as Hallmark's Holiday (the card people, of course!) I am really starting to get inspiration from all of the quotes flying around on Facebook and blogs - you have now inspired me to crack open one of several completely blank journals I have and just fill them up with these awesome quotations! Thanks for sharing these today!

Donna Bradley said...

Wonderful art work! I love how you incorporated the quotes into your art. I especially love the card! Recently I went to a card making class and loved it. Your lovely card has inspired me to get out my papers, etc. and dabble in some cards this week!

AntiquityTravelers said...

You had so much fun with this prompt this week! Love the meaning behind the first one ... really makes me think and the second one is really sweet - wonderful!

Cyndi J said...

That's pretty cool how you are using quotes to inspire your art work. I love the card collage especially and agree with Patti about the how the painting looks like Mother Nature wanting to shelter animals. And lovely photos of your frozen garden.

Meeling said...

I love how you are using quotes to inspire you!! What a fabulous idea.

(I'm #41 this week)

Tanya said...

Your painting is wonderful. I love how the door is in her skirt and it makes me think of mothers and grandmothers, always ready to take us in.

Beti Horvath said...

Such lovely art pieces! And I love the second quote. I will use it with a singing group I work with!

Courtney Breul said...

I love the idea of a quote box and using that to inspire you. Beautiful. And your card is amazing.

Therese's Treasures said...

I love the painting. My take on it was that the girl is all bundled up, cause it is cold and the door leads to her warm heart and soul, that once is open all around will feel the warmth of her inner being.
The card is beautiful very Victorian. I like how you are getting inspiration for quotes great idea.
Therese

Alice said...

What a lovely painting. It reminds me of a wise grandmother keeping watch over the garden! I love your concept of using a quote to inspire your artwork.

A Polymer Penchant said...

Oh you are reminding me I want to put a little fairy door in our home. I love the door in her skirt, so fun. Quotes as creative prompts sounds like a wonderful ritual.

Unknown said...

Love the picture and door in her skirt. It makes me think that we have many doors to open before we can open our heart. My word for 2013 is Open and I too love using quotes in my art. Your pictures are lovely and Picasa is a great place to play with editing.

Alicia said...

I love your idea of a 'quote box' - beautiful!

Both pieces are gorgeous: in symbolism and meaning, and in artistic vision too. Love them - and what I love the most is how this group is sharing so much soul and beauty that it helps us grow, it make me (at least) a much better person than I was before starting the challenge!

Thank you for sharing :)

Pearl and Pebble said...

It's wonderful Claire! I hope you keep painting and painting and painting..... I can't wait to see what you do next week. I'm curious to hear more about your quote box. That sounds like a fabulous fodder source. Is it just a box that you have filled with quotes that have spoken to you over time?

Karen Williams said...

I love seeing peeks into other people's sketchbooks. Your woman looks like a place of shelter and warmth in a very cold landscape.

Your snow pictures make me wish we'd have a snow day. You may be tired of it, but I'd sure like to see just a -little- snow! ;-)

Alison Scott said...

Great work. Tbe vignette is the wee ' halo' like you get with distress inks on card.

Annette said...

What a fabulous idea to use quotes for inspiration. The woman with the door makes me think of a grandma who is always ready to welcome the grandkids in spite of the storms of life. Somebody is going to be thrilled to receive the beautiful card!

Lola said...

I'm a quote-a-holic and I love that you have a quote box to select from for inspiration! I also adore the content look on the face of the woman in your painting. Beautiful.

Becky Pancake said...

Great job on creating art. I like your happy lady. The Swedish proverb really got me to thinking that's how I feel about art.

Unknown said...

As I hop through all the posts here. I am feeling more and more intimidated by the level of creativity I am seeing. Fantastic.

LoriF said...

Nice work! I love your "inside door" painting and the card as well...lucky recipient of that! Wonderfully creative!

Anonymous said...

Claire, Your painting, she feels like home to me! Bundled up nice and warm with a content welcoming smile. She is beautiful! So is your mixed media pieces and your photos remind me of the 5 degree tempts we had last week! Brrr!!