Of Replenishing the Well, and Serendipity

In her book "The Artist's Way", author Julia Cameron likens the pool of creativity to a well - and as we all know, one cannot draw from an empty well. It must be replenished from time to time. ;)

It's easy to forget this, so caught up are we in deadlines and commitments, and often just keeping our heads above water...Until one day, a little voice inside us says "enough"...says "take some time"...says "slow down"...says "breathe"....

The voice has been growing louder these last few weeks, until this morning, when despite a very full commission schedule, it got the better of me...

So a word to John (who is truly a saint when it comes to humoring my last minute whims) and we gassed up the Beetle and made a run out to St. Peter's Village, a historic old mining town on the banks of the French Creek...

I have such fond memories of visiting St Peters as a kid, and climbing around on these big boulders...

(Probably break my neck these days, hehe)....

The village itself is very small and very quaint, changing very little since it's days as a "company" town back in the 1800's. Only now, many of the houses along the main street are little shops...

I remember St Peter's Village back in the 1970's, when (after the quarry was mined out), it became a popular shopping and dining destination. Many of the shops have long since closed down, but a few small businesses are still there, and hoping to make a comeback. I thought this one was interesting - you can't really see the sign in the photo, but its says "Nana's", then "storytelling and lunch", which I found so charming, and a pity it wasn't open.

There's also a wonderful little bakery...
Um, OK, big bakery. ;) And an elegant Inn, where I understand the dinners are superb...

But my favorite was the West Hanover Winery's shop. Nevermind that 11AM is a bit early for a tasting, hehe - I just had to try this Buckwheat Honey Mead...

Liquid heaven, *sigh*..... Seriously, if you're withing striking distance of either St. Peters or the winery itself, you MUST try it.

We also visited a little antique shop, where I (with John's, ahem, "help") resisted the temptations of several antique pinkeeps - but not so this antique clock case. It was speaking to me, saying "Take me to Ghoultide!"...and well, I just couldn't ignore it, could I?

Of course I couldn't. Not sure what's up with the baby blue interior, but rest assured by the time I finish with it, it will be the most wicked cool, Witch's apothecary cabinet you've ever seen. ;)

So yes, not only did I replenish the creative well - I replenished the wooden painting surface supply as well.

Serendipity. ♥

And now it's back to work! I'm very close to finishing a super-fun clock commission, and then it's on to a Practical Magic inspired footstool, another Goddess painting, and more commissions and Ghoultide Gathering pieces. If only there were more hours in the day!

In the meantime, prints are available in the Etsy shop, and there are still a couple of commission spots open for 2012 (December completion). Just check the commission guidelines on the above right, and shoot me an email if you're interested. :)

I'll be back very soon!

♥ Carolee

Pure Imagination!

Imagination: The ability to form mental images, concepts and sensations in a moment when they are not perceived by the senses.



Pretty powerful stuff, and just think - we all have it! We can picture ourselves on a sandy beach, and almost hear the waves lapping, feel the sun's warmth, taste the pina colada...We can imagine ourselves soaring with eagles, climbing a mountain, or visiting Wonderland...

It's such a magical tool, and can be sparked by almost anything, although I find books and folk tales to be a personal springboard, hehe...

Sort of thinking aloud here, do you suppose all the technology we enjoy help or hinders the imagination? That is - does the constant stream of images via television, movies, the internet, etc., spark other images - or does it make us lazy, neglecting to use our own imagination as we settle for what someone else has seen in their mind's eye?

I wonder sometimes. It's such a precious gift, this imagination, and one I think needs to be nurtured, and even protected - because its manifestation is creativity. And by the way, I think we'd all do better to look to children in this regard - they're natural daydreamers and natural artists. They live absolutely in the moment, and when something inspires them, they create freely. What was it Picasso said?

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Maybe I'm not grown up yet, hehe? I hope not, anyway. ;)

Today I'm falling down the rabbit hole to Wonderland (a repeat visit to be sure, but always magical) and painting "The Mad Catter" - a sort of cross between the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, with a few other Alice elements thrown in there too.

It's a rainy and dreary reality here in Lancaster County this morning, but in Wonderland....Ah, in Wonderland it's filled with warmth and vibrant colors, with teapots and smiling cats, with flamingos and hearts...with pure imagination. ♥

Wishing you a wondrous day as well!

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`• ~ Carolee

The First Step is Realizing You Have a Problem

Hi. My name is Carolee, and I'm an addict.

When I'm not making art, I'm online chatting about it, dissecting it, obsessing about it, and even as I create one piece, jonesing for the next.

The house frequently looks like a war zone, and while I'm happy to chat on the phone (can do that as I paint), I've completely stopped answering the front door.

There isn't a room in the house (save maybe the bathroom) that isn't filled with projects in varying stages of completion, and I own very few pieces of clothing not covered in paint.

Do you suppose there's a rehab for this?

Do I care?

Am I alone? (doubting this, hehe)....

What do you suppose it is that keeps us addicted? I know there are people out there who don't feel the need to create something, but how is that possible? How does one get through the day, nevermind life, without it?

Pondering this as I return to the studio, where several pieces are in progress, and others are waiting in the wings...

The breakfast dishes can wait. ;-)

♥ 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

A Magical, Sparkly, Creative New Year!

I'm not normally what you'd call a "New Years" kind of person; I don't make resolutions, I don't do the traditional (in these parts anyway) pork and sauerkraut New Year's Day dinner (and while we're at it, um - eeeeeewwwww!) I don't go to parties or stay up to watch the ball drop, and I'd rather have root canal than watch football....

But this hasn't been the typical year.

So I must admit I'm feeling a little excited about seeing it come to a close, and imagining all the possibilities a bright, shiny new 2009 holds....

As I said, no resolutions. But perhaps a few intentions:

An uncluttered....no wait - make that a less cluttered workspace. Maybe some new, taller book shelves to store the contents of assorted bins and cardboard boxes.

A few more days off. It's important to replenish the creative well once in a while. ;)

More blog giveaways. I LOVE giveaways!!

Longer walks with the Aussies. THEY love walks (and I need them, hehe!)

A line of fine art prints and notecards on Etsy (stay tuned!)

More time counting my many blessings. :)

Finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who's purchased my work, placed bids, commented here on the blog or sent encouraging emails throughout year! As challenging as 2008 has been, it's also been such a gift getting to "know" everyone here in bloglandia...I feel like part of a very special creative community, and I know 2009 will be filled with even more magic and creativity!

Oh - and before I forget, the trio you see above are listed individually on Etsy now (sooooooooo proud of myself for finally getting something listed, teehee!)

Wishing everyone a magic, sparkly, shiny and CREATIVE New Year!

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(¸.·´ (¸.·´ ~ Carolee (throwing confetti!)