Sunday, June 22, 2008

divine inspiration

i have been less than inspired lately. every day for three weeks or so i've had the intention of collaging when i get home from work. but, it just hasn't happened. there are a lot of excuses i could throw out there. my new job is demanding. between car pooling with bill and the long commute i am usually gone for 12 hours every day so i'm tired when i get home. after sitting all day i want to walk instead of being immobile at the art table. the list goes on and on. yesterday morning i woke early with an overwhelming urge to collage. i longed to hear the sound of tearing paper and feel the press of rubber stamps against my fingertips. i couldn't wait to mess around with the pastel chalks and sketch out a few new ideas. it was exhilarating! i couldn't help thinking that this was some kind of divine inspiration (intervention??) giving me the nudge to get back to the business of creating. the feeling lasted all weekend and has truly been the wind beneath my wings. i'm taking it as a sign that i truly am meant to pursue this art gig even if it is only part-time. i'm back to staying the course to continue to create and grow as an artist.

the above piece is a commission titled "island bird of paradise" that i finished this afternoon. it is all torn paper with a few chalk and oil pastel embellishments on a 26" x 18" on 3/4" piece of solid aspen. i've e-mailed the image to the lady who commissioned it so see what she thinks. i'll keep it sitting out and walk by it several times a day over the next few days. each time i pass i'll cock my head to the side and look at it to see what i want to change or tweak. as with most things in life, it is in these quiet, reflective moments that i seek divine inspiration. it's there if we simply pause long enough to receive it.

11 comments:

Tess Kincaid said...

Looks like your over whelming urge paid off. Beautiful! :)

Cindy said...

it's a lovely piece and glad you've found your way back. starting something new, like a job, takes some time to adjust and it does sound like you have a long day.

thank goodness for the weekend!

painted fish studio said...

gorgeous piece.

i completely understand how you feel... "life" can make it hard to do what you really want to do. i sometimes wish i could just quit my job and create all day, but i am realistic and know if i didn't have the job, i wouldn't have creating to look forward to at the end of the day.

Shana said...

I totally agree with you on this post. Sometimes I too find it hard to balance working full-time and the part-time side business. (Since I sit all day too, I sometimes find it difficult to sit and do more work once I get home - even if it is work that I enjoy.) I keep myself motivated by telling myself that maybe one day, my part-time gig can become full-time. I wish the same for you! :-)

julie king said...

thanks, ladies! it is so nice to have company on this artistic journey!!

Auburn Kat said...

I was really uninspired at work today, hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Lavinia said...

This is really lovely. I especially like the blue of the water in the background.

Your urge to collage---I'm glad you answered it....the results are beautiful.

NANCY LEFKO said...

quite lovely...

it is always so nice when you get that overwhelming urge to create...it almost makes one giddy.

Thanks for the comment on my blog :)

Betsy Brock said...

I don't know much about collaging...it really is beautiful. I like the contrast you get from a distance versus the upclose detail of the paper, etc. Really beautiful!

S. Collier said...

Beautiful piece. Isn't it funny when "the urge" to create comes and goes. I have to remind myself that it will be back.

Heather said...

This is so beautiful! Great summer color, does remind me of a tropical island! Glad you found some time to collage :)