Things slowly come together

It was not like the beginning of a journey; it was like the beginning of a dream

I'm so happy to have come across this line in The First Men On The Moon by H.G.Wells tonight. After 30 years, I've returned to his wonderful stories in search of a catalyst for his author's box. As soon as I read that line, things finally clicked.

On the aside, I can't remember the last time I've enjoyed reading this much. While exploring the Island of Dr. Moreau, The Invisible Man & The Time Machine, I've been returned to an earlier time in my life when everything was fresh & new. I was probably about 10 when I first read Wells' books. Some of my earliest TV memories are of Claude Rains as The Invisible Man, Charles Laughton & Bela Lugosi in 1933 The Island of Lost Souls and other early adaptations of his works. I remember how thrilled I was to find there were books that came first... in my local library - woohoo! One thing that strikes me years later is how accessible the stories are. Unlike other pieces written in the 1800s, the language is clean yet riveting - with just enough adventure to keep a kid's interest.

At last I have a line to focus on. Now the box can slowly form itself in the back of my mind while I find the time to build it....

On another note, I haven't had much free time this week. Still playing with the Melange prompt Archetype when I get a few minutes here & there. The pic at the top is a sneak peek. Here's a another one:


If you want to see some cool interpretations by other artists, click HERE & check out the links in the comments section. Or add your own if you want.

I finally got a grip on Illustration Friday's prompt, Impatience, tonight. Another fun challenge, but I've been struggling with it. Finally came together in my head but only had time to lay out a few lines on canvas. Sorry about the bad lighting.

I hope to finish these before the challenges roll over (Wed & Fri.) but who knows what, ehem, distractions (work, family, sleep) will have to come first.... Wish me luck!

Just a couple notes:

15% off sale in all 3 of my Etsy Shops this weekend. If you're into art & jewelry start at ArtSnark's Artifacts. There's also free shipping on ACEOs & books. In my shop's "announcements" you will find links to my 2 supplies shops, as well as a list of Melange Team Members who are also having a 15% off sale all weekend.

Plus if you would like to be entered in this Thursday's random drawing, just leave a comment on this blog before noon (EST) 8/13. 1 lucky winner gets this piece of art, Alice with Tulips. Contest is open worldwide with free shipping.

Monday is a Work In Progress

Hey there! How've you been? Just got back into town. Fun weekend at the beach with friends & family. But, now I'm feeling a little behind the 8 ball this week. Determined to pull it together after a good night's sleep.

Listening to the soundtrack to Wim Wender's Until The End Of The World tonight. Just now playing Last Night Sleep by Can. The only YouTube version I found to share is accompanied by some silly bits from the 1930s flick The Mummy...ahh well..

Musical Monday. Grab a button & play along.What are you listening to?

Over at Maternal Spark, Monday's Muse shares a thought provoking quote : A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow.- Charles Brower

It can also be ground down by the day to day distractions, the constant interruptions & become simply a wish before disappearing into the ether. I stumbled onto an old sketchbook from 16+ years ago & have been thinking about jumping back into some of those old ideas. Here's an odd lass; I think she wants to turn into a tree or something...

Decided tonight to sketch something out for last week's Melange Lace Challenge. But as usual the piece had a mind of it's own & is calling itself My Sister's Ghost. It still has a way to go & keeps reciting the 1st line from Daphne Du Maurier 's Rebecca: Last night I dreamed I went to Mandalay again and as I stepped through the iron gates a strange power become me and I passed through them, as surreal as all dreamers are....

Tough to see in the scan but the negative space has a reflective silver finish. Also hard to see is the second sister working her way to the surface. You can just make out her hands on the left, arms extended and if you look closely a profile facing your left (her eye is overwhelmed by her siblings mouth just now).


Well, it's getting late & this piece wants some more attention. Til next time, here's another tune from UTEOTW:



By the way, don't forget to enter this week's Thursday Giveaway. Just leave a comment before noon on the 21st to be entered in the random drawing. For details & info on this week's prize click HERE

MM x2 = Atarazzi #22 + Altered Ancestors

okay, I kinda stink at math but this isn't really about that.

it's just another Melding-Monday.

meets

Both ask "What moves you today?" For obvious reasons, Mothers have been on my mind a lot lately. Both my Grandmother & Mother in Law passed away last spring. They've inspired several paintings that are still stuck in my head. Something about the latest Artarazzi challenge photo triggered one that I'd been thinking about for a while.

Started fiddling with something yesterday.

MariaPia (My husband's Mum) is on the left with 2 of her siblings.

Last night I dreamed Mercutio's Queen Mab soliloquy ...again.... yes, I am a dork. Had to memorize the blasted thing in high school & it's been haunting me ever since. Mind you I can't even remember my own cell phone number - bah!

So the faerie queen was rattling around in my nut while I played with the Artarazzi piece today. I was also trying to remember a Donovan tune from a million years ago (1971) called Queen Mab. Couldn't find a listen online but there's a teeny tiny snippet on Amazon (#27). For the curious, lyrics are here. I remember hearing this album a few times as a kid (Though where, I don't recall - all we had on vinyl in our house were Xmas carols, The Carpenters, John Denver & show tunes....seriously). Think I'd like to track down a copy but not willing to shell out a hundred bucks for nostalgia.

Where am I going with this?
I added this lovely lady from the Art Freebies blog

Then I tweaked some butterfly wings I had lying about.
And here's the final:

Somehow all the jumbly bits came together in this digital collage tentatively called Queen Mab's Children. To see more interpretations of the original challenge photo (or to play along) click here & then visit the Mr. Linky section on the upper right.

Tuesday Note: Came to grips with the fact that I probably won't get my Mother piece for the Melange challenge done in time, so submitted this one instead. Click here & go thru the comments to visit the other Melange entries. Also check the Melange Team blog Wednesday for this week's new Melange challenge prompt

Fri 29th note: Am I milking this post or what?! I just heard about inspiremethursday.com & they're talking about Altered Ancestors. This piece seems to fit. Click through & Go check 'em out. Or link your own creation. There's also lots of free stuff & giveaway links. Pretty cool place

Mind Wide Open February Challenge -Dream

Then through the shady forest

the little maiden went
And though her steps were fleetest
the day was well nigh spent

from an 1863 version of Red Riding Hood

Red's Dream

The sleep of reason breeds monsters - Goya

Gail has posted all the entries on her blog. Over 20 wonderful pieces representing a variety of styles & interpretations! Worth checking out if you have the time - just visit here

SNEAK PEEK - Red's Dream

Playing with a piece for the MWO challenge - Dream. Pop on over, say hi to Gail, snag the image & play! You've still got til Midnight tomorrow to enter....C'mon....you can do it!

Here's a sneak peek of the piece I sent in. It's just the center but I think I may like the crop better than my full piece....harumph...I suspect I will have to tweak it more in the future ....

Even if you don't get around to interpreting Gail's lovely image, check back with her on Sunday. She'll be posting all the submissions to her blog then. And if you pop back here this weekend I'll have the full piece up eventually.

Happy Creating!

1st of the Fever Dreams

Thanks to all for your kind wishes & for putting up with my whinging.

Here are the 1st images from my recent delusional state.

Each measures 2.5" x 3.5 " . They are available as a set in my etsy shop, ArtSnark's Artifacts

Steam Dreams

Renewed a couple of pieces on Etsy: A Blustery Day and
Penny Farthing Dream

Click image for closer look at each piece & a shortcut to ArtSnarksArtifacts
All items on sale (20% off + free shipping) through Dec 31st.