A Day of Enchantment in the City: Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Sometimes magic is found in the least likely of places...

And sometimes it's created. ;)

Saturday found me taking the rare - and much needed - day off, as John and I ventured into Center City for brunch with Courtney and SarahGrace (our daughter and her BFF), followed by a visit to Philadelphia's Magic Gardens.


We met at Mixto, a wonderful little restaurant on Antique Row, where we feasted on delicious and healthy Latin American inspired cuisine. Check out the Plantain chips and guacamole...


I was good though, staying away from the big basket of fried bread they brought, and opting instead for a vegetarian egg white frittata...


Sooooooo good.

After brunch, we walked a couple of blocks over to South Street to check out the Magic Gardens. It's been awhile, and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy walking around the city. We passed this lovely little park on the way...


And noticed the cool rainbow flags on city street signs (they recognize an area known as The Gayborhood)...


Turning a corner, we came upon our destination...


The life's work of artist Isaiah Zagar, the Magic Garden mosaics cover the indoor and outdoor space of about half a city block! Just incredible...

Here are a couple of details from the first room we entered. You can click on the photos for a larger view...


Stepping outside, we found a maze of mosaic pathways and staircases, adorned with everything from china, glass and mirrored pieces, to bottles, wheels, pottery and figures, and sometimes messages...



Magical, indeed! Another detail...

A perfect spot to sit and take in all the beauty...

Another detail...

We rested for a bit under this umbrella, where I thought the overhead "chandelier" was pretty cool...

A winding path...

The staircases were stunning, but I had to be a bit careful, as they're not for those (like myself) who are less than surefooted...

It is truly one of the most amazing places I've seen in a long time, and if you're within striking distance of Philadelphia, I HIGHLY recommend a visit!! I'm also told that it's not unusual to run into the artist (although we were not that fortunate). But I'll most definitely be back, and hope to do just that someday.

I'll leave you with just one more photo, and promise to be back soon with some art of my own...

Sometimes these little field trips are just what the soul needs - a sort of replenishing of the artistic well. Inspiration, indeed!

Until next time, wishing you magic and enchantment ;)
♥ Carolee

Sketches and Paintings and Projects, Oh My!

Have you ever experienced such a rush of creativity you hardly know where to begin?

I'm not talking artistic creativity necessarily, but any kind of creativity - whether it's art or music, cooking or writing...knitting, sewing, tending a garden - whatever your particular bliss is. Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by it you completely lose track of time, of days even, and one idea sparks another until there are so many images swirling around in your head you feel breathless, and can't decide which ones to grab first?

It's been that kind of week here, completely inspired and exciting, - although there's also been a bit of sadness too, but I find that even that can fuel creativity. Self expression in any form is good for the soul, don't you think?

I have three pieces to share...the first is a sea witch treasure box, my version of a magical mermaid of sorts. It was inspired in part by music I was listening to last week; "Atlantic Driftwood" by Norland Wind - always the perfect inspiration for something from the sea - and Blackmore's Night, "Ocean Gypsy" in particular, (although this one is more of an ocean witch). Wonderful imagery in their music. The shell handle atop the box is one I found on a beach in Freeport many years ago....

The next piece is another painted from an aerial perspective (soooo fun painting things from a different vantage point), "Merlin's Magical Flight", an acrylic painting on gallery canvas....

Does it make you feel like you're flying?

And third, "Wisdom", an owl plaque inspired by the now famous Molly of the San Marcos owl cam. Yes, I admit it, I'm completely addicted, hehe....

Owls are such magical creatures, aren't they? I've been sketching Molly all week, and can hardly wait until the owlets are a little bigger - I'd love to paint the whole family, or at least Mom and a baby or two. This one will list on eBay tomorrow night.

As if all this isn't enough (insert loud fanfare of trumpets) tomorrow is the day the door opens on the March EHAG Emporium (at 9 PM eastern)! I have a super fun piece for this one, something completely different for the yard and/or garden, so check back tomorrow (March 31st) at 9 for details.

In the projects department, I have something very exciting to share which I hope will make at least a few collectors happy. There have been several requests over the years to illustrate a deck of cards, and I'm thrilled to report the opportunity has finally presented itself! The very talented Lunaea Weatherstone (who readers of Sage Women magazine will know as a contributor and former editor) approached me recently about illustrating an oracle deck she is in the process of writing. What fun! Working these illustrations into the regular schedule will be a challenge, and probably result in a limit on new commissions, and in getting a much earlier start on Ghoultide Gathering pieces, but I'll work it out. ;)

Next up (just a few more days) is a truly special piece for eBay; a table or bench, painted with mystical imagery from a recent dream. I often dream I'm painting something, and the subject is so vivid I wake, thinking it was real, and want to run to the studio to continue the painting. Is that crazy? Don't answer that, hehe...

In the meantime, it's another cold, rainy night here, so I'm off to warm a kettle of leftover soup, and call it a day.

Back tomorrow with details on that Emporium piece....

♥ Carolee

Belated Thanks

I don't often post blog awards, but having received this one several times over, I'm crying uncle, lol...And thank you to Iva, of Halloween Alechemy, to Julie Mitchell and to Zan Asha for the kind words about my random musings here. :)

The deal with this award is to list seven things that I love, or things that inspire. Difficult to narrow it down when there's a whole world of love and inspiration out there, but I'll pick a few of them:

1. Spirit; God, Goddess, the universe, the creator - whatever name you put to it, being in touch with that force, feeling close to it, expressing gratitude for it's blessings is like a well of inspiration rising up. Basically, being attuned to something greater than myself.

2. My family. I know, everyone says this, but really, if you're doing a "things I love" list and your family isn't very near the top, you're in serious trouble, right? ;)

3. Music. Celtic, folk, world music, classical, blues, jazz - pretty much anything except metal, rap or country. The music I'm listening to can not only inspire, but change the direction of a piece. Absolutely cannot create without music.

4. Animal friends and companions. They're so in tune with the natural world, and so in the moment...and if we listen, have so much to teach us humans about simple pleasures, pure joy and unconditional love. :)

5. Road trips. The kind without an itinerary. Where you just get in the car and GO. No schedule to follow, no timetable, and no plan but adventure and discovery - the best!

6. Informal gatherings, especially with creative types...Nothing more energizing or inspiring than getting together with other artists. Around here, the gatherings are usually potlucks, with plenty of wine, often a couple of guitars, and animated conversation...doesn't get much better than that.

7. Last, but certainly not least - Halloween (You never saw that one coming, did you?!) Bright colors, magic, dressing up, childhood memories, scary tales, parties, and just plain good times. It's the holiday for being a kid again - no obligatory visits, no shopping, no stress, just FUN. :)

So there you have it - seven things out of the gazillion or so that inspire....

I'm supposed to "tag" seven other now, but to be honest I'm not big on the tagging thing....so consider this an open tag, and post seven things if you're so inclined. ;)

Or post a comment here - what do YOU find inspiring?

(¯`v´¯)
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

The Painting Soundtrack

As a young art student, I remember teachers who insisted that music was a distraction, that it interrupted the creative flow. Others felt it was OK - a personal choice, although few allowed it in the classroom, because tastes and preferences vary; what one of us finds inspiring, another may find disturbing.

For me, music and painting are deeply entwined. There are days I spend more time choosing CDs or uploading a playlist than I do choosing a palette for a new piece, and often the music will lead me in a completely new direction...

The playlist here on the blog (scroll down on the right) is pretty typcial of what I like to listen to, although the CD player is often loaded with entirely Celtic music, or strictly classical, and on rare occasions rock. Never rap, never metal, and never country.

Commission work is different, because the direction of the piece is already established - so I'm not as careful with the music selection and tend to listen to whatever I'm in the mood for.

With two commissions in progress, this is one of those days, and the music doesn't get any better than this: an NPR broadcast of the brilliant Leonard Cohen, live at the Beacon Theater in New York, recorded just 8 days ago. A dear friend sent me the link yesterday knowing how much I'd enjoy it, and just I have to pass it on. Seriously, give this a listen, it's incredible! (I would sooooooooooo love to see his upcoming Philadelphia concert, but with funds limited and tickets going on sale Monday, it's doubtful.)

So how about you? Is music important to your creative process? What inspires you? Do you like silence....something mystical...or maybe something high energy? Inquiring minds want to know....

(And do you think I should paint myself a CD cabinet one of these days, hehe?)

~ Carolee

New Work and a Little Inspiration

"Cast a spell...Drink wicked good brew...Seek magic...Reach for the stars...Dance in the moonlight...Ride the wind..."

Words of wisdom, and so much fun to paint! It's listed on eBay now, although I was truly tempted to keep it here as a centerpiece for the dining room table I'm painting. Well, okay, the dining room table I WILL paint, I swear it! This six foot pine table has been leaning against a wall in my living room for over two years now (embarassing, huh?) but one of these days it will be transformed into a huge piece of FUNctional art. I just need a few more hours in a day, days in a week, weeks in a month, etc...

I know, I know - I'm not alone in this time crunch.....I think many of us are feeling the pressure these days - working longer hours, trying to keep up in this economy. But I'm also incredibly encouraged by the support out there for artists and artisans; the effort people are making to buy handmade goods. To me, buying something someone created with their own hands is not only good for the economy, but good for the soul.... And I can't even begin to describe the feeling that comes from knowing someone loves something I've created enough to buy it...and to send my creations out into the world knowing they'll bring a little joy or magic, it just doesn't get any better than that. :)

Sooooooo, speaking of magic, I have this little video to share with you. It's not new, and I'm sure many of you have already seen it, but if you haven't, it's well worth the watch. Oh, and it's better if you have your speakers on. ;)

Wasn't that great?!

I'm off now to create a little of my own magic here, which involves the morning music/candles/tea ritual before settling in....I'm working on a couple of commissions this week (just a wee bit behind schedule as usual) but also hope to have something very special to share with you soon - something light and ethereal and ultra finely detailed (stay tuned!)

Until next time.....

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• Carolee