Misty Fog
A few days ago I discovered something interesting. I had ventured into SEVEN thrift stores throughout the day, mainly because our weather has had me cooped up and bored. Remarkably, I did not find a thing in six of them, and only at the last did I buy this charming 1960s oil painting for $24. However, this painting isn’t really what I “discovered”, though I will discuss her in a bit.
December and January have been busy months with holidays and crummy weather, on top of my finally getting hit with the Covid bug. I noticed over these weeks that the font of inspiration for writing had been a tad dry. When I started my blog, there were weeks I simply could not stop writing – ideas and inspirations would wake me up in the middle of the night. However, of late I had a bit of anxiety that my “writing well” was drying up, and I wasn’t sure I liked that idea. Mind you, there are virtually no financial benefits to all this writing, but I have loved the new relationships and communications my ramblings have inspired. As I often have 10 or more “blog posts” in the works, I had things to work on, and tried not to panic as the month slipped by. I did wonder if “lack of inspiration” could be yet another Covid side effect.
Then after a wonderful yoga class (thank you Radka!) I decided to go thrifting on my way home. As mentioned, I picked up nothing, but most of my focus was finding specific things for my daughter’s new home. My children will tell you I am a bit like a dog with a bone – give me a theme/project/request and I go into OCD overdrive. I will do very little else until I accomplish whatever goal I have. Probably why making a quilt goes so quickly for me – I literally have to finish things! I thank my father’s genetics for that “gift”, and we’ll leave it at that.
As I drove and poked around stores, I let my mind wander. As the day was ending, I stopped at a final store and discovered this painting. That evening I noticed a number of ideas begin percolating. I realized, for me, trolling through the discards of our society, and finding handmade and vintage items inspires me, even if I don’t buy something. Stories, connections and ideas start to spin in my mind. I find inspiration in many ways – yoga, rock climbing, walking through nature, visiting art, experiencing travel and cultures. As well as thrifting! It is important to find what inspires your creativity and simply appreciate it.
This charming girl brightened my day. I am puzzled by her, not least because I cannot read the signature. I think Hannigan, and I suspect a female artist. But no date, nor indication of who the model was or why it was painted. The color vibe makes me guess 1960s, and a bit of internet sleuthing had me recognizing the similarities to the style of Mary Cassatt, an artist I have always admired. Cassatt was born in 1844 in Pennsylvania but spent her adult life working in Paris. She is most well known for her Impressionist artwork of women and children, especially done in pastel. Whether the artist was directly inspired by Cassatt, or unwittingly so, she created a lovely pastel of a young woman, probably in the 1960s. The gauzy paint and soft technique of the artwork makes the young woman seem to be emerging from a misty fog. Quite appropriate for my Illinois misty, foggy weather, and my personal misty, foggy month.