Melange Art Challenge: Inspiration

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me

I was a child

and

she was a child,

in this kingdom

by the sea;


But we loved with a love that was more than love-


I and my Annabel Lee

The Melange Team's May 20th challenge was "Inspiration". It took me a while to catch up but here I am. I've been thinking for a while about making a series of Authors' Boxes. Here is the 1st, inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (who many believe was inspired by his late wife Virginia). If you want to read the rest of Annabel Lee, click here

I haven't played with wood in a while & had a grand time making this.


Decided to give it a slightly weathered look.


It is also filled with faded secrets in all the nooks and crannies

The notes tucked inside are copies of the writings of Virginia & Poe.

The smaller is a valentine written by Virginia. You can see the original here. The larger is a copy of Poe's Annabel Lee (the rest of the poem is printed on the back). See the original manuscript here.

The current Melange Challenge is Dance. I've several ideas but very little time so I may just post some older pieces soon. To view other interpretations, click Inspiration or Dance . Then click on the links in the comments to enjoy the wonderful variety . If you have the time, play along & enter your own creation!

So many challenges, so little time! I love how the ideas flow from the random prompts, Some pounce immediately, while others slither up behind me. Usually there are two or three but I rarely find the time to finish one - sigh... Some other great prompts this week are Adapt (IllustrationFriday), puppeteer (artonthedarkside) and Altered Ancestors (inspiremethursday). If only there enough time to play with them all.... Take a minute, look around & get inspired!

----------------
Please note: All who leave a comment before noon (EST) Thursday June 4 will be entered into 2 random drawings: 1 is for a $20 gift certificate to my etsy shops & the other is for an ACEO. Click HERE for details

Monday's Muse - Happy Birthday, Mr. Poe!

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night. - E.A. Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was born 200 years ago today in Boston. Poe's Muse - Digital Collage

Many cities are having celebrations this month - there's a good calendar of events here. The Post office has issued another stamp. (I also found this one from 1949.) The NY times blog has a slide show of portraits, text & original writings here.

Sometimes referred to him as the father of the detective novel & one of the initial contributors to the science fiction genre, Poe's influence extends beyond the written word. His works have inspired artists, Filmmakers (Hitchcock), musicians (including Debussy & the Beatles)

(Can you find Poe on this famous album cover?)

Even scientist have been influenced by his works, including Eureka, A prose poem

I've enjoyed reading Poe as far back as I can recall & he shows up in my art from time to time. (see above collage of Poe & his wife Virginia)

(and the mini watercolor pendant Annabel Lee)

If you need a further dose of Poe today, a good site to visit is edgarallanpoe200.com - or just enter Poe into the search at Etsy to see the many creations there.

“It is by no means an irrational fancy that, in a future existence, we shall look upon what we think our present existence, as a dream.”