Friday, July 8, 2011

The Muse



A poet is a nightingale, who sits in darkness and sings to cheer its own solitude with sweet sounds.

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley



If you follow this post through it's windy path of word, I promise there's a little surprise in store for you!
 
I follow lots of blogs.  I mean LOTS of blogs.  I'm always over my limit of  the 300 blogs that Blogger allows on my dashboard (not quite sure how I manage to sneak a few extras in.)  I guess I really just love bearing witness to the creative process of other people.  Following an art blog is different than seeing the canvas in an art show as it allows me to see the artist within the canvas itself.
 
With a bit of a heavy heart I had to clear out a large number of blogs from my follow list.  I really was sad about it.  Most were abandoned blogs... not posted on for a year or more.  I said a little prayer for each of those artists, a hope that they are blessed with an active creative life that has moved them into a different endeavour than art blogging, or a plea that if that is not the case, they find their creative source again.  I remember when I first started art blogging a few years ago, in the middle of one of the most challenging times in my life...  I remember building up the list of artists I follow.  Their creative energy, their wisdom, their joy, and sometimes even their friendship was daily bread to me. 
 
At the same time I was sad at the many little goodbye's I had to say last night in order to make room for new relationships, I was also given pause to think how absolutely amazing it is the number of people out there, so dedicated to their art and to their creative process and the process of sharing it with others through blogs.  Some of the artists I follow are absolutely amazing... have been blogging for years and may only have 30 followers but still post regularly!  Other artists may be beginning to explore their creative expression and are so open about showing their pitfalls and difficulties. Their humanness and "imperfection" is a breath of fresh air!
 
So I awaken this morning, not sure where my muse is taking me, and hop onto the Paint Party Friday site and see a poll about ice cream of all things... which leads me to look up quotes about "sweet"... which leads me to the above quote... which leads me to all this fabulous information from Wiki about how the nightingale has a long history of being a symbol for the poet and the muse.... which reminds me that Inspiration Avenue's theme this week is poetry!  Haha! 
 
So as I painted this little piece I prayed for all my fellow artists... that we are able to find comfort through our brushes, our pens,  our words, and our visions.  And I prayed for those needing that comfort and hope that they may find it.
 
Now here's the surprise... along with the painting above, I painted this little bookmark that I am giving away. 



 
 
A name will be drawn from those who comment on this post (please be sure your email contact is available in your profile and if you are commenting anonymously, feel free to email your contact info to cori-lynn@msn.com.)  The drawing will take place one week from today, Friday July 15 at 8 am CST time.    If you post this giveaway on your own blog,
 
To comment, please answer the following question...
 
How has art served you?
 
 
 
 
The painting at the top is available for purchase for $30 by emailing me at the address above.  It is 6" x 6" and comes with a wooden easel stand.



32 comments:

  1. Cori,
    Your work is truly amazing and from the heart. Today's piece took me back to a time when Grandma and my Auntie were still with us! Thank you for the memory today.
    Kathryn Lovitt-Farriell
    kfarriell@yahoo.com

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  2. What a question Cori - I could be here all day. Funnily enough I wrote a post about my thankfulness for all the art that the people from blogland have helped me create. For me finding my art again was like the missing link! It's what makes me spark!

    I absolutely adore your bird painting - so pretty with such lovely colours.

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  3. Cori, I am always inspired by and in awe of your work and insight. Thanks for blessing me again!

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  4. Your work is always full of life. Love your giveaway. Yes I give thanks and thank you for the prayer. Happy PPF!

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  5. It is a great little book. are very well crafted colors and texture of feathers ....Saludos

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  6. MC-
    This is absolutely gorgeous. You ask how has art served me? Well I think you are one of the few who can atest how art has worked wonders for me. Whether it's photography, music or writing, these art forms have saved me from myself and continued to help guide me on the path of life, illustrating the bad and the good in life and are great motivations to continue to help one move forward.
    God Bless and I hope your art continues to motivate you to keep smiling. :)
    HC
    natureswondersphotography@gmail.com

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  7. The birdie is abolutely adorable! And it's so generous of you to have this giveaway. :)

    Art for me has always been an emotional release. But it was only a couple of years ago that I finally figured out that it gives me freedom like nothing else. :)

    p.s. You might want to follow your blogs through Google Reader. i prefer it over the blogger dashboard.

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  8. what a pretty drawing! with thoughtful wishes attached.
    email cmlk79@yahoo.com

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  9. Beautiful painting with such wonderful colours, great words and loving the fab bookmark as well. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  10. Cori, I love your Nightengale and the Shelley quote. I would love to win your giveaway!

    A wise person once told me that growth in life is like growth in a garden. Some plants are best cared for by pruning them. Think of your blog list as a beautiful rose bush that needed a bit of pruning to really thrive. Pruning can be painful, but the end result is worth it!

    Happy PPF!

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  11. Oh Cori, how beautiful are these! That little nightingale has stolen my heart.
    To answer your question: For almost 30 years I didn't think there was an artistic side in me. Discovering that there actually is has opened up a completely new world for me and pretty much changed my life. I can't imagine NOT creating.

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  12. This is such a beautiful painting, the colours wonderful.

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  13. I have been paying attention lately to the birds in my backyard, and they never fail to inspire and amuse me. I love your beautiful nightingale, and the colors are wonderful!

    Being able to create art has been a wonderful gift that I am so thankful for, and I'm equally thankful to be able to enjoy the art of so many talented bloggers. Before the internet, it would have been impossible to meet so many artistic souls from everywhere in the world!

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  14. I fell in love with this little bird! The background you chose ads so much beauty and personality. It's always a joy to see what you're doing next!

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  15. The painting is beautiful (LOVE the colors), the bookmark is beautiful, and so are your prayers for your fellow artists. Art has served me as a companion. It comforts me when I am lonely or angry or sad. It entertains me when I am bored. It lets me share my joy. I have gone through long periods where it has gotten pushed aside for other things, but I always come back to it. I just don't know what I'd do without it.

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  16. I love the colors, so pretty! You are such a kind and loving spirit...it shows in your art too! Love the bird! Great work!

    Hugs Giggles

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  17. Cori, this is gorgeous work! She is beautiful and inspiring! I agree that we have to sometimes clear things, give up some things.. it's the only way to welcome new blessings and inspirations. For whatever reasons, it's always for the better. I thank you for the prayers. You are very sweet!

    Art has served me beyond greatness. It gives me life and comfort. It feeds my soul here on earth. God gave me this talent to make use of my art as form of expression and liberation.. and so far, I am always thankful. I shall always trust myself and create often.

    God bless you Cori:)

    Elisa
    http://harmonythoughts.com/

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  18. Like you, I visit a lot of blogs, including IA, and learn something from each blog post I read. I'm not sure how to respond to your question about how art has served me. I try to make art daily, I enjoy the process as well as the completed project, at least most of the time. If that is what you mean by serving me, then I guess just being able to make art, even if it's with leftover parts from a dumpster, is a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing your awesome bird and poem. They are both wonderful and go so well together.

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  19. The thought of you praying over the artists whose BLOGs have been untouched in over a year was so wonderful to me. What a dear soul you have.
    As for art, it is how I express my love of horses and serves me in that purpose.
    Your bird and poem are beautiful this week. Wishing you a very HAPPY PPF!

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  20. I love the colors in the wonderful little painting! Along with the story of your computer journey...funny the places you end up...and the inspiration you find♥♥♥

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  21. Cori, I love this painting. I become more amazed by your paintings each day.

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  22. i love this bird. deardeardear.
    & how fascinating about the bursting
    number you follow... i've been thinking
    lately about when i hit edges & needing
    to then prioritize & think about what is
    most calling to me/which is such a gift
    presented! as is your bird. as is you. xo

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  23. wwhat a beautiful peice; love the background, really helps bring the lovely little bird forward. We don't have nightingales in the desert so I've never heard one.

    Happy PPF!

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  24. Super -gorgeous piece..beautiful and heartwarming...shine on!
    Victoria

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  25. Such a beautiful painting, a thoughtful post, and a generous giveaway... so much goodness!

    To answer your question... hmmm... art has served me in so many ways I'm not really sure how to put it into words. It was my way of communicating as a shy child, and it has been my steady companion ever since...

    xo
    Kristin

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  26. Just a sweet tweet!

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  27. this is just too lovely!! and to answer your question: art is what keeps me going - making it and appreciating it - it's what makes me enjoy being alive, being human... a true balm for my soul...

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  28. Art or creating 'art' has served as a 'healer' for me ~ Love this little book mark ~ would be wonderful to win ~ thanks Cori ^_^

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  29. This is so beautiful!! I love the colours and the words are wonderful too! So funny that our easy breezy non-Art summer poll still inspired you! Fabulous!

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  30. I never realized Blogger had a limit! I'm not quite up there yet, but I do follow a lot of blogs! What beautiful pieces you have created...thank you for linking into artsee bloggers. Be sure to check the Main Index too where you can link into as many sub-categories as you like!

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  31. What a lovely thoughtful post! Thanks for sharing your passions in words and art!
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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Your thoughts are a blessing to me!

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