I Am Also An Artist!

I am a writer but also I am an artist.

Writing allows me to release stories that have been

hiding somewhere in my recessed mind.

Art is an expression of quirky

love for all things different and beautiful

to the eye of the beholder.

Whether it is a book, a poem, a movie

a song or a piece of art.

The eye of the beholder will decide for themselves

if it is pleasing or not.

Sometimes when not pleasing it might not

be pleasing but most times it is because

it is not that person's cup of tea.

The above piece was an old banjo

missing parts, in bad shape and only $10

at the weekend swap meet.

I have taken it apart and looked for parts

to renovate.  They don't exist so I moved to pure art.

The banjo had an old torn yellowed head

was missing hooks and the pegs

parts of the wood and of course no strings.

I first made sculptured glass magnolias

and leaves basing them off of a beautiful water painting

they were then inserted into holes drilled

into the center wood support.

The old head was cut and then I painted

magnolias and leaves as the background to the glass.

The front is clear glass.

On that I have painted magnolias, wild flowers

and morning glories.

It is far from a finished piece of art

and despite the fact that I tell myself that it should be simple

I just let my muse control on how it evolves.

I love painting more than melting glass

but it is the combination of the two

that makes up my love of mixed mediums.

When I was younger, I did a series

of small paintings of old doors and cats

but the doors were made of clay.

I still have one in my studio but doors are a passion of mine.

I have never combined my love of flowers

love of doors and my muse.

In my writing, you will always find flowers,

doors that need to be opened or maybe barred against

the outside.

For now, I will finish the banjo

for someone out there will fall in love with my muse

and will put it in a place for enjoyment.

Life is always so full

when you do what you love and love what you do!

barb