During my Art Market times I like to paint live, whether that be painting what is around me, from my head, or from a picture. Last week at market our times got extended, so I decided to paint from my head. This unsure moment (without reference photo) gives me a chance to step back and figure out what I want to come next. I knew that I needed to develop something in about four hours, so I decided to go with a smaller canvas board, one that I use for plein air painting (when I paint outside). It is the fall season, so I settled on a pumpkin patch. I’ve driven by several and even have a chance to sell my art at one this weekend, but this one I had in my mind to appear at sunset. A couple people commented on my finished product (it looked “squished” or “like a clove of garlic”), but I decided to go with Cinderella pumpkins because I think they are beautiful.
The newest “Cinderella” movie with Lily James is amazing and has some hints of the original Disney cartoon version. I love watching it and the portrayal is magical. However, another favorite is a sixteenth century version called “Ever After”. The heroine Danielle is played by Drew Barrymore and Leonardo DaVinci (Patrick Godfrey) plays a part as her fairy godfather, of sorts. When she arrives at the ball, she reveals DaVinci’s beautiful dress with butterfly wings, that intend to make her stand out as she attempts to explain everything to the prince.
In the book, Joyful, by Ingrid Fetell Lee (the chapter on Celebrations), Lee explains that such grand masquerade balls began to be widely spread during Medieval times and celebrations happened often as ways to interact and to spread joy in each other’s lives. Knowing these little tidbits of information adds relevance to my creating Cinderella pumpkins in a normal, Texas-like field, reminding me to embrace the ordinary and find joy, even in quiet moments.
This week I was determined to finish my storyboarding on my graphic novel so that in the next few weeks I can prep for NaNoWriMo (or whichever writing community I choose this season). The future project will require a lot of research, so I’m attempting to spend my time wisely. Part of this is by making myself sit down and focus on what I need to do, even if it is not “fun” in the moment. Sometimes I can aim my thoughts in the direction they need to go, but when I have communities of artists and writers with whom I regularly chat, it helps! I often take advantage of these groups without realizing how much I have really accomplished over the last few months and year! Every little step takes me one step towards my bigger goal.
And it sometimes helps to see the magic in the ordinary.
