Admiration

I still can't help but be envious of artists who can draw and paint. I know, we all have our own talents, or at least strengths and weaknesses. We should relish our own styles and techniques. I think it would be so much fun to be able to sit down with a pen/brush/pencil/chalk and paper and create an image recognizable to other people. It hasn't happened yet, no matter how hard I try. So while I'm busy trying to suppress my jealousy of others' talents, I've been looking at their work, and watching their styles. And what magic I've seen...

The Birds

I feel like I’m in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The red wing blackbirds are flocking wildly to our yard by the hundreds. They’re noisy and obnoxious, but such a sure sign of spring you can’t really hate them. However, I don’t venture outside these days without eye protection.

Miss Magnuson

Way back in 1969-70 Miss Magnuson made a great impression on me. Miss Magnuson was a 4th grade teacher who wore clogs and long tunic vests like Rhoda Morgenstern and had bright red hair. She was the coolest teacher at St. Mary’s.

I had art class with Miss Magnuson. She introduced me to Neil Diamond as she played the Gold album during class while we created Mother’s Day gifts and Christmas presents for grandparents. Cherry Cherry, Brother Love’s Traveling Show, Holly Holy – the music released our creativity. I’ve loved Neil ever since, and always think of Miss Magnuson when I hear him.

Miss Magnuson also, over several classes while we were working (and Neil Diamond wasn’t spinning on the record player), read to us the story Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As our clay was being sculpted into little pinch pots or as colorful masterpieces were created on paper with watercolors my favorite teacher read out loud the adventures of Charlie Bucket and four other children as they toured the ever mysterious chocolate factory of Willy Wonka. Miss Magnuson wove the story of rags to riches, good versus evil, wise Oopma Loompas, and the magic of imagination and won the hearts of her students. As they used to say in ’69, she was really groovy.

So what if it's a children's book? Snuggle into your favorite chair with it, a creamy Wonka chocolate bar, and a glass of wine. While you're at it, embellish your glass with one of these great little charms. The set of six charms can be found at my shop and feature Willy Wonka, Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Violet Beauregard, Augustus Gloop, and Mike Teevee.

Thanks Miss Magnuson, for the inspiration.

Breathe It In

The motorcycles are out, the squirrels are boinking, the robins, red wing blackbirds, and geese have returned, and there are puddles everywhere.

I do believe Spring has sprung.

Bunny & Duckling - a bottle cap magnet and/or pin available now at my shop.

Art Day

I laid in bed on Sunday morning, not quite ready to get up. The first day of daylight savings time doesn’t count, so it was only 7:00, much to early to be active on a Sunday. With my eyes closed I was thinking about a painting I’d seen the week before, by an artist new to me. Her pictures were simple, her colors cheerful. Every one of her small paintings exuded happiness. They inspired me.

As I drifted in and out I thought of those simple figures, a girl, a monkey, a bunny, a lady with flowers. They were created with simple lines. I can do that, I thought as I drifted in and out of sleep. Today I’m going to paint a picture. I fell asleep for another hour.

When I woke up for good, I went down to the studio and cut a scrap piece of mat board. I envisioned my little picture on that piece of matting, mounted on another piece of matting. The picture was going to be similar to those of that new artist, simple and colorful, happy and light-hearted. I saw it perfectly in my mind’s eye. It wouldn’t be too hard to execute. A girl in a little jumper standing in the grass holding an umbrella at arm’s length to her side. Over the umbrella is dark, gray rain. Everywhere else is sunny and bright. The message would be something about attitude and expectation.

I sat down to my piece of mat board with my pencil, and began to sketch.

Upon seeing my finished sketch I decided to spare the paints and simply color the picture with different colored Sharpie pens. It looked nothing like the picture in my mind. It looked rather pitiful. I showed it to Husby with a laugh and he tried to be kind. It was bad. Really, really bad.

Scenarios like this occur once every two to three years. I envision the finished product, and discover again I have no talent or skill to create it.

The point of all this is that I took the time to just do something outside the comfort zone. It didn’t turn out well. Sure, there’s always a bit of disappointment when I can’t create something I envision in my mind. But then I went back to the computer and found the inspiring artist’s work, and smiled. I’m grateful to have been inspired to try something I don’t normally do, and I’m grateful to be able to look at the art of others in awe and joy. In fact, I might go back to her art again today, and make a little purchase.

Make today Art Day. Try something new. Play with some watercolors. Manipulate some polymer clay. Bend and twist some wire. And then, if you’ve got a little cash to spare, support an artist whose work inspires you.

Did You Know - Custom Stuff At Auntie B's

Did you know that not only do I have a fabulous store on Etsy.com, provide brick and mortar shop owners with many of my wonderful items, and travel the countryside showing and selling my wares at various craft and art shows, I can cater to your needs. Your needs.

Yep, Auntie B’s Wax is happy to take on custom orders. I can create a yellow candle with a green apple fragrance. I can give you a grouping of different sized candles, all different colors, all different scents. I’ve made black vanilla-scented candles and blue clove-scented candles for past customers, and I can deviate from the norm for you.

Also included in custom orders are the bottle cap drink charms, pins, and magnets. Are you having a family reunion? I can make bottle cap magnets for the entire group commemorating the event. And wouldn’t it be fun if you were in charge of a class reunion and you could provide everyone with a bottle cap pin with their high school senior picture? How about wedding favors – everyone gets a bottle cap magnet with a picture of the happy couple. I can do it.

If you’re interested in any custom work, please shoot me an email at auntiebswax4u@yahoo.com. I can provide the details and an order form for you. If you're interested in a product listing of my always-available items, I can provide that for you too. Shopping has never been easier, and in this economy, I can guarantee you'll get great items at very reasonable prices.

See you soon!