Sunday, January 3, 2010

Progressing confidently towards the dream... the transformation of a shutter



She was greying and unkempt
when I first noticed her.
She had been left to wither in an old barn in the Ariège,
at the foothills of the Pyrénées.
Her big sisters (huge old wooden doors)
were still protecting her
to the extent that I nearly didn't notice her there;
so well was she hidden
by shadows and cobwebs!



She seemed so folorn that I wanted to bring her colour.
I sang to her, read to her...
From the beginning; it was always Thoreau (my favourite)
There was never any question about that...
His wisdom can inspire the most greying of spirits

We shared secrets, she and I.
She told me she had never seen the sea.
So I dressed her in the Bleu de L'Ile d'Yeu.


She pleaded for some embellishment,
so I dressed her with a page of history from her region.
Petit à petit we have built her a new life together
Like me, she now feels equally comfortable
with tradition and progress.
 And in her we have reconciled the two.
.
But there's more to discover in the old girl yet
She hasn't had her final say...
Maybe later today I will give her the final touches.
Maybe it will be tomorrow when the mess monsters go back to school
that we shall chat over coffee and gesso!
In the mean time I'm off for some inspiration
at Seth's Secret Sunday



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19 comments:

  1. She's absolutely gorgeous as she is. WOW!! Beautifuljob!
    ♥ Teresa

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  2. Oh Ange,
    I LOVE her.
    Shutters are one of my favourite things (weird, I know !!) and she is one hell of a shutter, having been made even more beautiful by 'tu'..... and, it sounds as if she will be getting some more beauty treatments. I look forward to her final reveal. XXXX

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  3. Ange, this is SO Fabulous!!! I think it's my favorite of all your art. Love it!

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  4. oh, I love your relationship with 'her'
    wishing you a lovely cuppa coffee~

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  5. Hi Ange, it's great to be back in blog land!
    The way you describe your shutter, it sounds like the 2 of you have become very close:o) You really are quite the poet. Your posts are always a good read, thanks.
    Angex

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  6. Dear Ange,

    I really love this piece and here is why. The use of the added paper is one major point. Then there is the bit of red calligraphy for a little attention and focal point.

    Understanding that the artwork is still incomplete and would have to agree and the reason for saying so has to do with composition.

    In my opinion we need something in the lower right,just off the middle where one might sign a letter.

    Another element you might consider is unrefined string to which a wax seal imprint is attached to and this would be placed between the papers lower right corner and the wood plank, giving the feel of an official seal.

    Just some random thoughts.

    I am still thinking about a quote for the give-away and plan on writing my own.

    Warmest regards
    Egmont

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  7. I don't know hwich I like best...your painted art or your poetic art...both a beautiful.
    Carla

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  8. Love, love, love the blue. She's beautiful!

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  9. She's gorgeous already, Ange, like Cinderella with one heck of a fairy godmother. You are such a talent!

    Hugs to you,
    Gigi

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  10. oh i relish this in word and image...so creative are you!

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  11. Dearest Ange
    She's a beautiful shutter almost ready to face the world and protect her windows from any fierce howling wind.. beautiful and strong!! The best combination!!

    One day I will have a little cottage that will be protected from that old north wind by shutters as brave as her!! xxx Julie

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  12. What a wonderful blog you have here...Definitely a new year gift for me. Thanks for visiting my blog so that I could have find yours..Wish you a great year filled with lots of love and happiness..

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  13. Thank you all very much - you have encouraged me all to continue... Next will be one of the big sister doors... Now I'm off to create a bit more and visit your creations too... Blessings to you and thank you again for giving me your very valued feedback!

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  14. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my blog :)

    I have seen you at Being Julie and I know that you and Kim at Mimi Charmante are friends....and at last I have found you :)

    Your work is AMAZING....I love shutters and this is just gorgeous.

    I have a cousin who also lives in the Toulouse area....she is in Najac which I believe is near Villefranche. I know that from the UK she can fly to either Rodez or Toulouse. She loves it there and it certainly looks beautiful....I am hoping to visit her next month.

    Happy New Year to you,
    Simone :)

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  15. Ange, I just love her. You have added another chapter to her life and my how she's bloomed under your gentle, considerate touch. Your work is just beautiful. Meredith xo.

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  16. What a delightful and poetic post and such a terrific find. I just went out to the post office and kept my eye open for some special object just waiting to be transformed. I found a big chunk of metal but couldn't pick it up because it was quite literally frozen to the ground and I wasn't quite so desperate to have it to freeze myself too! I can almost smell the sea with those colours!

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  17. Stunning. I love the blue color and the text is gorgeous!!

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  18. You know how much I adore her - I love the bit of red in the middle of such a gorgeous blue and the beautiful written page. Once again you have done it!
    Now, about Simone visiting your area next month... How envious am I???
    Bon Mardi mon amie!
    xx

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Can't think of a famous quote that says 'communication makes the world go round' so you 'll just have to get my clumsy way of putting it instead ;-) Your comments are precious. Thanks for dropping by!