Melody

I just listed several 6x9 prints of my original acrylic mixed media mini-paintings in my Etsy store (after much procrastination) including this one of Melody, a sweet girl with flowing patchwork hair and a wistful look in her eyes. She is happiest when surrounded by music. It is her comfort and passion -& yes, I tend to describe my art girls as if they are real, but honestly as I am painting them they really do take on their very own personalities.

Sometimes my girls paint quick (ok, not often but sometimes) Melody like most took awhile for me to get just right. At times, I have a hard time painting over my backgrounds because I put a great deal of effort into them but when only a little peaks out, it can actually have more impact. The background is what influenced the direction this little painting took. It reminded me of well worn cotton fabric and old time patchwork quilts. (I love LOVE patchwork quilts by the way) So from the patchwork idea came the inspiration of Dolly Parton's 'Coat of Many Colors" and music in general. Also while Melody and Dolly may not have very similar outward appearances, I hope she captures an inkling of Dolly's beautiful sparkling spirit.

Switching gears, I wanted to take a moment to note that music is often an influence on my artwork. It has a way of making me feel everything a little bit more intensely. It can take me to faraway lands or deep inside myself. Music is for me, real life magic. If I could have one (or two depending on how you take it) special gifts it would be to have the ability to sing beautifully and play a musical instrument but as it is I can only peck an out of tune piano hymn and screech a bit of "joyful" noise! Lol! But man can I ever appreciate the musical talent in others! I am a total fangirl of all kinds of music -seriously from heavy metal to contemporary christian to classical to country to everything in-between!

Inspirational Quote: 
"Music is what feelings sound like." ~Author Unknown

Music for today:
"Coat Of Many Colors"
by Dolly Parton

Back through the years
I go wonderin' once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn't have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin' every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn't wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss

My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me

And oh I couldn't understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told 'em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes

But they didn't understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me

More Postcard Postings

Happy Day to Ya!

Last  post of my original cards -goodness, I take  f o r e v e r  to complete a post series, don't I?

These are some of my vertically oriented postcards. You can see how I took the same initial art print and modified it in different ways to create two very different cards on the top "Trust Your Heart" and the bottom "Sense of Wonder." Also It is funny how they take on such real personalities in my mind as I am creating them. The bottom first two are the "Wonder Twins" and the the bottom last is probably the one that most resonates with me personally, she is my "Wanderer" and I kept her open to possibilities without actual words on the front. Later with my wood blocks, I added the words "You are Enough" so she is also known as "Enough." Forgive all the quote marks -really don't know what is with me but this is just what it is today (lol). Please enjoy and have a blessed week! 

-Laurie Anne :)

Music for today: Throwback'n to the early 80s

Peech Boys -Don't Make Me Wait

Inspiring Words * 1 * 2 * 3 * 4 *

Welcome! 

I'm sharing some of my original postcards up close with a few of my favorite quotes. I haven't any idea what quote originally went with which image but these seem to fit! Please enjoy!

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." -John Quincy Adams

"Trust that little voice in you head that says 'Wouldn't it be interesting if...'; And then do it." -Duane Michals

"We will never know all the good a simple smile can do." -Mother Teresa

"One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes." -Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." -G.K. Chesterton

"Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will" -A.W. Tozer

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. -Albert Einstein 

"Try not to get lost in comparing yourself to others. Discover your gifts and let them shine." -Jennie Finch

Music for this Post (A little "American Idol" love for these amazing Mississippi artists):
Trent Harmon singing Chandelier
La'Posha Renae singing Diamonds