sperlygirl

dream...

i am catching up a bit on the life that happened while technology had me out of the loop.

a dear friend had bought a painting of mine last year to give to a friend. she asked if i could make another similar one for her. after agreeing, i panicked a bit. how in the world could i make them similar...what if, what if, what if...but as i got into working on it, it merely evolved. it was similar in design but turned out better than i had hoped, especially when i found a line from a book to include that so perfectly fit my dear friend.

it was another reminder/lesson in the magic and possibility that can unfold when we merely step out of our own way a bit. our own resistance to so much in this life tends to inhibit our possibilities and progress. it is a lesson i am reminded of, over and over again. 

                             

she sees beauty...

with some days off, i was able to create a few things and complete a few more. this is a new painting i have hanging in my etsy.

she reminds me of what i would whisper to myself throughout the year, in attempts to recalibrate when life began to feel heavy. 

the words read: 

"her tears fell gently, reflecting in each one
the heartbreak, heart opening joy, and simple beauty
she sees in the world around her" ~ssperl 2011

mailbox goodness and a postcard giveaway...

a little bit of a creative leap around here as i had a collection of postcards made from my paintings. six paintings are featured in the collection. of course, i had to crop a bit here and there to get them to print the way i envisioned, but i focused on doing so while keeping the original intent of the painting.

it's my wish that these cards find their way into the mailbox of someone you care about and bring with them uplifting words, a special quote, or simply a note to reach out and share a long distance hello. i can tell you, nothing makes my day more, then when i go to pick up our mail and our box is tenderly holding an unexpected letter, note, or goodie from someone dear.

in celebration of the handwritten note, i would like to give away one set of these whimsical postcards. simply leave a comment below and i will announce a lucky winner on friday!

(**postcard collection is now available here**)

love waits patiently...

patience is one virtue i struggle constantly with...but this painting kind of created her own life here. we began this dance on canvas together and initially, it didn't end well. so we began again (see, there go those patience again) and this time, i simple let her emerge. i pulled back from "trying" to create her look and simply let her appear. her hair is collaged from various papers, italian texts, maps, and vintage stamps, ledgers and sheet music that i come across at the antique markets here. she seems to carry a headful of dreams...something i can relate to completely. she is hanging here now.

 

a new work ~ letting go...

she emerged slowly onto my canvas, whispering reminders to me to let go...let go of expectations, let go of attachments, let go of the illusion of control. some days i'd set her off to the side of my table in hopes of silencing her a bit. other days i would walk past her - meeting her glance with an eye roll. but she began to wear me down - her message a lesson that continues to show up in my life. so i decided to listen to her. i stopped thinking of where i'd take the work next and simply let it evolve. her whispering liberating me a little bit at a time. and then finally, she stood confidently on my canvas, her message clear and complete. and i thank her for the gentle reminder. (you can now find her here)

dreams of italy...

she made her way onto my canvas this week - she was so determined. she has these dreams of a life in italy and nothing was going to stop her.

when we knew we were headed over here, my dear friend, gave me a rae dunn ceramic egg with one word printed on it, "begin". our life was completely chaotic and in a whirlwind when we received word of relocating to italy. i was several months pregnant and here we were diving in with both feet to a dream. the little egg with the word, "begin" stamped on it accompanied me - and has ever since. that little word, has grounded me, lifted me, and nudged me in more ways than i can speak of.

so you can see why this lovely silhouette, head full of wishes for italy, and the one little word that guides her - was so determined to follow her heart, give wings to her dreams, and find her way onto my canvas... nothing was going to stop her. (she hangs in my little shop now)

**i'd like to take a moment too to thank each of you for your thoughtful and kind words about my little black cat, jazz. truly, your comments have meant a lot. a heartfelt thank you...**

a new painting...

a new work - made for a dear friend.

'her heart was too generous to stay nestled in her house, so she gathered the world up close to her.'

a new home...

she cradles her dreams tenderly in her arms - wishing them all into reality, coming to life on the cover of an old discarded book. this little family of three fill their sweet nest with love. both paintings are now hanging in my shop.

 

owning it...

a while back, i was visiting with kt and filling up on the inspiration that she brings to the world and our friendship. she gave me a pep talk and suggested this exercise, which i did. i went through mountains of magazines to find images that would best illustrate what my little esty 'shop' would look like should it be real. in this, i found some happy surprises as i realized just how important color is to me. obviously, my shop would be bright and cheerful with lots of oranges and blues. it would include a variety of items from simple to funky, functional to decorative, natural and handmade. scent would be a major player there - with a diffuser full of subtle essential oil blends, fresh flowers, and soft candles. i would be sure to have an area set-up for a simple yet beautiful yoga studio and hold small sessions there. oh, and of course there would be a projector set-up on a wall to showcase beautiful images and videos. it would be an experience. you would feel welcomed, peaceful, and perhaps offered a taste of tea as you browsed. just doing this exercise helped me to shape not only my vision but what i hope to bring to my artwork as well.

a fall treasury...

a photograph of mine is featured in FunnyBunnyClub's lovely etsy treasury called October. i am drooling over the collection of rich and beautiful colors and items here. grazie, funnybunnyclub, i am honored to be included in your collection. (to those artists and images on the bottom row that didn't completely capture, my sincere apologies, i am still trying to figure out how to completely capture the whole screen).