A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Flight to Arras, 1942


The creative process really sucks sometimes.  I was so pumped  to get going on my mermaid mosaic.  I have literally been jabbering about it for a year to anyone who would listen.  I had found a piece of coral that inspired me. It literally screamed "Mermaid!" (or Dolly Parton but worm shell hair would not work for Dolly)  Nine months later after gathering all the shells I needed I found the perfect frame at a thrift store. I was gaining creative momentum.   I primed the frame and was just pondering my adhesive choices when bam.... life happened.  The Hubbs went into the hospital for 10 days & he has been my focus ever since.  

As a blogger there are many lots of times that I stare blankly at the screen trying to dredge up some clever witty idea from deep within my right brain to post about. You know the feeling - My last post was 5 days ago - What can I write about?  Today I stared at that blank canvas for hours hoping something - anything would magically appear.  But it didn't. The day wasn't a total creative loss.  I made a new pasta recipe with that flavored cream cheese with garlic & Italian herbs.  It was fantastic. So, how do you get the creative juices flowing? I'm thinking tomorrow I will go buy my adhesive grout & Mod Podge & threaten the empty canvas with a few shells. (Prime the pump, so to speak) If that doesn't do it - I will take a step back, punt, & head to the beach.

Starting & finishing are easy - it's the part in the middle that is the challenge.


Comments

  1. DellaSeptember 4, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    Some beach time should be all you need to get those creative juices flowing! If by chance it doesn't...just take out your shells, study them, and play around with them a while. That usually does it for me :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kim@Snug HarborSeptember 4, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Yeah, move those shells around like pieces in a magic show. Sooner or later inspiration is going to hit. I can't wait to see the finished product!

    ReplyDelete
  3. gpcSeptember 5, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    I suspect your inner mermaid has undergone a few changes during your husband's health problems. Maybe you just need a quiet space to reintroduce yourselves!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Little Black Scrap CatSeptember 5, 2011 at 12:06 PM

    I little beach time should get you inspired. I know that hanging in the hospital is a real wake up call. Over a year later I can honestly say that I have to dig a little deeper for my creative mojo sometimes. Since I don't have a beach near me to get me really inspired, I resort to sorting and purging supplies while cleaning my creative space. In the meantime, I am counting down from 33 days and doing a little virtual beach walking on the webcams and blogs!! Boy the Gulf is boiling today!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SandraSeptember 7, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    I am so glad to see an update on the mermaid. Since the day you "teased" us with her pieces, I have been checking your blog daily, and sometimes even 2x a day! : ) I just can't wait to see how she comes out. I also have been inspired by you to gather some shells to make me a mermaid. I live in South Louisian on the Gulf. Thanks for inspiring me and have a blessed day.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

40 Miles North of Shell Mountain

Image
Shell pile @ the North Jetty in Nokomis, Florida Has anyone been following  i Love Shelling blog?  Pam has been giving us the blow-by-blow of all the shells rolling in on Turner Beach a.k.a. Blind Pass.  For dedicated shell lovers the sight of that big honkin shell pile growing upward on Blind Pass makes you want to call in sick to work, grab your shell shovel, & head south or whatever  direction it may be for you to Sanibel.  For those of you that are a plane ride away in the cold & snow; looking at those shells has got to be painful & my heart does go out to you. I live 2 hours north of Sanibel via I-75 or about 40 miles as the crow flies.  I've sat at my computer for 3 days now looking, drooling,  enlarging the pictures, looking again at my work schedule.... ratz - I'm not off till Monday. Where I live in the Venice/Englewood area we have some spectacular beaches. Each has their own personality. Englewood's beaches are more...
Read more

May you always have a seashell in your pocket & sand between your toes

Image
Dr. Stephen Leatherman - His office is the beach (credit : www.solotravelgirl.com) When planning a destination that involves surf, sun, & sand thousands of  travelers  turn to the experts for advice. In this case "America's foremost beach expert" Dr. Beach.   Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman aka  Dr. Beach is a Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. He's a scientist.  Dr. Beach is a  really smart & really educated guy who has parlayed his passion for the outdoors into a super nice gig travelling the world & ranking the top beaches.  He announces his annual list of best beaches every Memorial Day weekend. This May 30 will be his 20th anniversary. Dr. Beach has developed a 50 point rating system that covers all aspects of a great beach from water clarity, sand softness, & the size of breaking waves to the smell, the amount of wildlife, & accessibility. Dr. Beach is as we s...
Read more

"I did not want to live out my life in the strenuous effort to hold a ghost world together. It was plain as the stars that time herself moved in grand tidal sweeps rather than the tick-tocks we suffocate within, and that I must reshape myself to fully inhabit the earth rather than dawdle in the sump of my foibles." — Jim Harrison (Julip)

Image
My poor shell bucket has been empty.  Shelling on the SWFL coast has been sort of flat the last few months. Good shelling requires a combination of things.  Tides, winds, moon phase all play a part. The biggest factor is location, location, location.  Sanibel is the shelling epicenter on the west coast of Florida with the best seismic shelling waves extending to Cayo Costa on the north and  south to Bonita Beach, Naples, & Marco Island. The really sweet shelling spots can only be reached by boat.  That's why I practically jumped for joy when shelling guide Capt. Brian Holaway of Captiva/Sanibel Island  invited me out for a shelling excursion next week.  Heading out in the month of May (his favorite month).  Capt. Brian likes the warmer temps & the clearer waters.He says "the water seems more alive with stingrays & tarpons cruising by, the sea grass is floating on the surface of the water, & the days are longer." (Credit: Capt. ...
Read more