Monday, March 25, 2013

Artist's Play Room #50 ~ Flight



A little over 3 years ago, when I was first BEcoming reacquainted with making art, I took a workshop at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts in collage and mixed-media. It was a great workshop and I learned so much and enJOYed exploring with gentle guidance what was possible for me in this next chapter.

I share this BEcause I was really at a crossroads in my Life then, and I thought mayBE it was a way to find my place here as I started Life over again, single, back on the East Coast, just Gracie and me... 

I honestly never imagined I'd run with it as I have. It was a wonderful happenstance that continues to pay dividends of wonder and amazement each and every day.

I continued in that workshop throughout 2009-2011, and then I just kind of "launched" myself as an artist. Of course, I had hoped that would mean an artist who sells her art, but so far that piece has eluded me. [Frankly, I'd rather gift it, and the best thing is how healing making art is for me, so...]

Today I teach at Delray Beach Center for the Arts, which is where I was supposed to BE this week for Kickin' Arts Spring Break Camp. 

However, Gracie and I had a little run-in last Wednesday with 2 dogs, and I am, instead of helping kids 6-12 make suns and beach umbrellas for their musical play based on Fun in the Sun, making my way with a concussion and one very sore body that clearly was NOT made for BEing upended onto cobblestones by big dogs...

I teach a program, actually two programs, Kickin' Arts with 4th and 5th graders, and Art FUNdamentals with 2nd and 3rd graders. It's a sort of field trip adventure and it's mostly only busy in the fall and during May, but I love it. I am sorry to BE missing out on the camp adventure but glad I can lay low and tend to healing.

When I read this week's Artist's Play Room theme, I knew immediately what I wanted to DO. During the summer of 2010 I was making loads of tiny collages on 3-inch by 3-inch squares. 

One of them I turned into my card with the words from the Tennyson quote: The shell must break before the bird can fly. I quite loved that as it spoke of my own shell breaking and those first tentative movements I was making toward flight.




I've sort of updated that using a bit of digital fiddling rather than paper painting for my APR #50. 

It was just the thing for me this morning as I was feeling like a big toad since I had to back out of teaching. 

And by Now, midway through the afternoon, I'm glad I had this to DO. Makes me feel productive even though I am just keeping quiet.

That's it. That's all. EnJOY.
just add water silly's blog hop link

13 comments:

Paper rainbow said...

Currie! A lovely quote, I'm so sorry you're a little battle bruised, I hope you are feeling better very soon. I too teach little ones for some of my day at an After School Club, It is such fun watching them go mad with the glue and glitter. I hope you can get back to the center soon as I'm sure they are all missing you very much.

minnemie said...

Oh, Currie, I am so sorry to hear about the incident and your injuries! I hope you can rest well and heal well. I love your birds and the quote. Very interesting background!

Miriam said...

Oh gosh, you really did take a bashing! I hope you will be feeling better soon. I really love the quote. Lovely digital 'fiddling' again.

Jez said...

I love both the images, sodifferent yet so effective. And such an appropriate quote. The abstract version is so good.

Jez said...

I meant to say I was sorry about your mishap, and hope you improve very soon. As you say, art does help us through bad times.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your mishap. Sending healing vibes ~~~ your way!
Stay inspired!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear about your fall. I'm sure your students are missing you. Get well soon.

Love the bright colors in your bird piece.

Unknown said...

I love that quote. So much nicer than "it's always darkest before the dawn," which is usually what pops into my head. I like how each picture has its own mood. The first one feels optimistic and the second is more comforting. Hope you are feeling better soon!! That sounds like a terrible tumble!!

Linda Kittmer said...

Hey Currie,

I gave you and your blog a shout out in a post today. I've really come to enjoy your posts and the art you do so I wanted to spread the joy!

Linda Kittmer said...

Oops, I also wanted to tell you that I love that quote and that you've used this as your card. Hope you're feeling better and that the concussion is not too serious. I had a bad fall almost 2 1/2 years ago and it's been a long road. Take care! Hugs, Linda

Catharina Engberg said...

Sorry to hear about you falling and hurting your head. Hope you will be feeling better soon. Take care now my friend!

stefanie stark said...

I love the quote and I love your story about your start at the Delray Beach center and how you have progressed within the last couple of years. This is wonderful. And I also love your colorful collages. They are beautiful and make me feel very happy!
Get well soon!

Neesie said...

What beautiful collages Currie...both are stunning.
I'm so glad that art has allowed you to stretch your wings and helped you to take flight. It really is amazing how wonderful it can be...making us soar!

I'm late visiting due to the Easter weekend but I do hope that you've made a good recovery by now. It sounds like it was quite a tumble.
Take care and rest well. :D
xoxo