Thursday, February 26, 2015

A Beautiful Day


  Almost March, Daylight Savings Time is soon upon most of us and Spring is ever so much closer in the US. I'll happily accept that!

 Unusual for me but only one piece of art to share. As of the other day, the bitter cold weather took a toll on my body, causing auto immune and osteo arthritis issues to flare up. It started with neck, knee and breast bone pain. Then my left heel swelled up, I got a bump on it, and it was red and hot to touch. Uh oh. Took a good hot shower, and put the foot up. By bedtime I wasn't able to step down on that foot lest I wanted to experience excruciating pain. Oh what fun to crawl upstairs. Early AM was no better but I managed to get downstairs and tend to Annie. I sat with an ice bag 1/2 hr and finally was able to move about a bit. After icing off and on all day and eve it finally felt almost normal although the other aches remained somewhat. Fortunately my body continues to improve without medication. Something like this sure does make you realize how much you take the simple things-like being able to walk and take steps, for granted! I felt good enough to get the grocery shopping done on my own earlier today, and yes, even being capable of doing that task gave me pause to be grateful. And so my art page evolved:


 It made me think about the embracing of imperfection, and finding the joy in it. Wabi-sabi. The page began with  a layer of embossing paste spread about with a palette knife. The black threads on the page were sitting on my work table, left from some trimmed sewing because I knew I could use them somehow:) I applied the threads while the paste was wet.
 The next day I scraped on and wiped away Artists Loft Parchment paint along with a mix of a turquoise and grey paint. The bird image (Retro Café Art) was sitting nearby along with other Spring themed ephemera I was gathering. I couldn't believe how the threads seemed to be coming out of the image- serendipity at its best! I finished it with a bit of lace and a sentiment.

 In my last post early this week I made another page using more techniques from Dina Wakley's book. You can see it here, along with the announcement of a new online class I signed up for! A perfect time for me to watch some of the videos (and there are many!) while my body recuperates.

 Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment :)  Linking to Art Journal Journey(theme of birds, beasts and humans); Art Journal Every Day; Express Your Creativity; Mix It Monthly (play with fabric);  Paint Party Friday; and the Simon Wednesday Challenge Blog (anything goes). I'll be popping in and visiting your links. Have great weekend!

  I love this wabi-sabi quote so much, that I'm sharing it with you to end this post.

              " Pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry". Leonard Koren



34 comments:

  1. Beautiful piece, thanks for joining us at Art Journal Journey. Sorry to hear that you have auto-immune problems, too, feel better soon! Valerie

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  2. So sorry you have been feeling so badly, Linda! I hope you feel better each day. No fun to have to crawl up the stairs. :(

    Love your art piece! So serene and pretty. I see nothing wabi sabi about it, because it is beautiful.

    Never have I looked forward to March as happily as this year! Such a hard winter for most of our country. However, we will have snow on Sunday into Monday, and again on Wednesday. The temps won't be as frigid though.

    Take care of yourself, dear friend. Get plenty of rest and drink lots of warm tea!!

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  3. Gosh that sounds horrible .. get better very soon Sweetie!
    You are so right with what you wrote: we don't embrace enough our everyday well being... I often think this whe I have flue or my back strikes as at the moment..every month once with my female cycle...
    So often I am just happy if everything is all right with my body and mind...

    An amazing piece of art ist that .. adorable !
    Love the look of old wall on it .. and the thread makes a special accessory.
    Feel well very soon Sweetie!
    Thank you for sharing this with us at Art Journal Journey!
    Happy PPF!

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  4. I love this, it's beautiful filled with simplicity and poetry! That quote is beautiful and reflects so well your art piece this week!
    Sorry to hear about your aches and pains...take it easy and I hope you feel better very soon!
    Hugs
    Kat

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  5. your Piece is so awesome - i love all about it!

    so many People in the creative world seem to deal with immune issues.... (or do i only think so because i also do?)... but i love the positive Approach you have anyway! i´m sending you thoughts to mend and recover! xo

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  6. Beautiful work Linda... Much divine light for your healing!

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  7. Our health really is precious, isn't it? And we take is for granted. Love your piece (the white paste makes it really a striking background) and hope you are up and moving about soon. Have a wonderful healthy weekend Linda.

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  8. Beautiful zen page, sorry to hear about that awful flare up.

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  9. Such a nice piece. I love the way you incorporated your sewing threads, which gave me an idea for doing something similar. We do learn from each other. I am so sorry that you have had such a bout of pain. I hope March will bring better days.

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  10. Hi Linda. Love your piece. Lots of texture in that beautiful background. Sorry about the health issues. I do know what you are speaking of as I have two knees with "horrible" and painful arthritis, a hip with the same and now on both hands something called "Trigger" finger has found me. Sometimes they want to lock up. I found some gloves called copper hands and they seem to help. Sending you good healthy vibes and painless days.:) Take care.

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    1. I have had 2 trigger fingers. I used essential oils on them for awhile but eventually I had surgery on both of them. Now they are just fine. Hoping the copper hands do it for you.

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  11. The bird picture looks right at home on your fabulously made background, I love these soft colours.
    Hope you feel much better soon.

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  12. luv your 'beautiful day' page, hope you feel better soon

    happy you stopped by to view mine

    much love...

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  13. Nice painting, colors, textures are gorgeous! beautiful birds!

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  14. Funny how those threads are integrated in the piece. Love the soft colours you used. Sorry to hear you've been in so much pain, hope the cold winter will be over real soon!

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  15. Lovely work, I hope you are feeling better soon.

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  16. Lovely and loving work. Not only the art, but you too!
    Take care, be well.

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  17. Such a beautiful page, and done when you were in so much pain too, art is always our best healer!!!

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  18. There is great poetry and beauty in what you created here dear Linda.
    I have not heard of Artists Loft Parchment paint before but I really like the plaster effect on top of your textured beginning. The threads seem very symbolic too = Beautiful piece of heART!
    So very sorry to read that you've had a flare up and were so uncomfortable.
    Sending healing (((hugs))) and all good wishes your way.
    Take care my friend ♥
    oxo

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  19. So sorry you were in such pain. Good at such times to escape into making art. And I love how serene and tranquil it looks.

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  20. Great texture, material and very appropriate color. saludos

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  21. Lovely piece -- the texture is great and the bird makes the piece look peaceful amid the background. Art is a wonderful pain reliever, even when I have to take it slow and only get a few lines or paint strokes done. Thanks for sharing your work and technique. Spring will be here soon. Here in Portland OR, we're having an early one -- I already have spring allergies.

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  22. LOVE THE ART!!!! So sorry you are not doing well :( Sending Healing Thoughts and Strength your way ♥

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  23. Wonderful! I love all your ideas! Especially about the thread lying around which you incorporated into your work! Bravo! patsy

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  24. Hi Linda, I am sorry to hear your are also experiencing a painful bout! I hope it improves quickly for you. Your piece this week is so peaceful and simple, yet powerful. Thank you for sharing.

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  25. I love the creation ~ so well done and love the textures and uniqueness of the piece ~

    Happy Weekend to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  26. Linda ~ sending lots of distant reiki healing energy ~ xo

    Happy Weekend to you,
    artmusedog and carol

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  27. You're like me 'I could use them somehow:' :) You did great job!
    Hope you're feeling better or have better days...pain is a curse...
    Hot and humid greetings from Fiji!

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  28. ps. prunes taste fine but only a few at a time... :)(not much too eat, there's a stone inside)

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  29. So sorry about your osteo Linda! Sending love and healing thoughts. Your art this week is beautifully delicate. Thanks for sharing your process!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  30. Sounds excruciating Linda. I'm glad you can deal with this condition and get better relatively quickly. LOVE your page.

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  31. I'm so sorry to hear you were in such pain Linda - it sounds awful. I hope this flare up dies away as quickly as it appeared and you are in full health again soon. Your art piece is lovely - I like the limited cool palette and the texture.

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  32. Gorgeous piece of art work Linda! I love the textures and the image is adorable.
    I hope you feel better soon, I know how painful and debilitating flare ups can be.
    Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
    hugs
    Mandy xx

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  33. Sorry about the weather keeping you down. I remember in IL we had what Boston is having only it was every single year. Those weren't the dayz for me. Thanks for explaining how you made the painting. I love learning new things. Blessings, Janet PPF

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!