Monday, November 21, 2011

The Art of Taking Time Off


It would appear that all is quiet in "a crabulous life!", but that's simply not the case. True, no work is being produced in my studio for the time being, but the work going on inside of my head is unbelievable!

My mother is here visiting! It's been five years since she's been able to get here to see me and probably that long, too, since I've been a tourist in my own town. Together we're having fun rediscovering the places we've always been so fond of and exploring new ones as well.

My mother has such a keen sense of design and color and a great eye for detail and whenever I'm with her, my mind always goes into overdrive seeing things with a new perspective and turning these new perspectives into new design ideas. She's only been here a few days and already I find myself thinking about new color combinations and about new subject matter.

Above you see a new hat and scarf that she insisted upon buying me as an early birthday present. Upon seeing the scarf in our favorite clothing boutique, she knew immediately that I'd love it because of the color combination. And the wool felt cloche was a natural. I've always had a thing for hats and this one is just too cool. I've never been too into fashion and I wear pretty simple, straight forward clothing (read jeans & t-shirts) which act as a blank canvas and I love, love, love to accessorize.

You may have noticed that the cloche and scarf are draped around a book. You may have also already guessed that it's vintage and foreign. Danish to be exact. I don't know why I'm so fascinated with these objects, but you know I'll be drawing all through it.



This book is particularly interesting because it has illustrations that look to be woodcuts. The title is Vers Og Vaerktoj, Et Udvalg Af Digte or Verse and Tool, A Selection of Poems by Oluf Bertolt and Hagmund Hansen. The copyright is 1951 Forlaget Fremad - Kobenhavn (Copenhaven).


I know it's imperative that I write down all the new ideas that all the new stimuli have been stirring in my mind so that I can sort through it when I return to the studio and decide where to begin anew. Vacations, even from something you really love doing, are imperative. They clear the mind and open it to brand new possibilities!


3 comments:

Cmichaudart said...

how wonderful to get your batteries recharged thru the eyes of your Mom...keep lists, make notes, it can be overwhelming...and enjoy every minute of it! good post

Diane Hoeptner said...

What a delightful post! You look TOO adorable in your new hat and scarf: *LOVE* the picture!! ...and congrats on getting what sounds like a REAL vacay with your Mom. That sounds positively inspiring. I need to do the same!! I know Cindy already said it, but do take notes for later, you'll want 'em.

Anonymous said...

Cindy and Diane, thank you, both.