Two Revealing *UPDATED*

Sometimes I think I'm so clever with my silly, punny post titles....haha!
I'm referring to the big reveal of the WIP I sneak peeked to you on Friday.
Remember this?

Well, I actually have 2 paintings to share with you.....
Hence the title....
Okay, so maybe what I think is clever is only slightly amusing.....
Let me distract you with some art so it won't matter how lame my sense of humor is :)
But before I do, let me tell you how these pieces came about.

My super sweet and lovely Bloggy Buddy Carmen and I are doing an art trade.  Her only criteria was that it should have a crow in it (her fave) and feature some words of wisdom to ponder and nod one's head in agreement to....

This is the above girly all finished.

It is inspired by this Roald Dahl quote:

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Mixed Media on 8x10 inch Canvas panel

I decided to do 2 at one time, using the same criteria, the same color palette....like sisters born of the same spark.
I want Carmen to pick her favorite.  The other will then be put in my Etsy Store.
I'll let you know which one she chooses :)

Here's the second.....

The words say:

"Everything in the Universe is within you. Ask all from yourself." - Rumi

Her crow guide brings her the key to unlock her heart and to rediscover all the wonders within :)

I think I know which one she'll pick....I'm curious to see if I'm right...heehee!  Which would you choose?


UPDATE
***Carmen chose "Watch with Glittering Eyes" and "Within You" is now SOLD Thank You, Lisa! ***


Oh, and I'd like to mention another Giveaway to you, Dear Readers, offered by Jenn at Broomsticks and Lace.  She is part gypsy, part fairy princess and part witchy-poo all rolled into the most delightful being!
But, hurry, she announces the winner this Sunday!

Blogland is inhabited by some of the bestest peoples :D

Hope your days are full of everyday magic...and that the transitioning Seasons are revealing their beauty to you.
Love you guys,
Cameron

A Halloween Tale ~ with a Treat!

Dreaming in our little beds...
A crow's call "Caw, caw" in our heads...

We wake with a start, aroused from slumber,

get out of bed and nearly stumble....

The ground all around is littered with bones,

....in the distance, there are creaks and moans...

A chill runs through us, we're not at home...

We are in a garden where only tombstones grow.

Each skull seemingly peering...

into our very souls...

And inside the tombs is an eerie glow...

We hurry swiftly, quickly trying to find

a place to hide til this nightmare subsides...

Up ahead, there is a light.

A lantern on the porch of a crickety old shack

beckons us to approach...

Though a tingle says stay back.

A lump forms in your throat...

Better to go...

Then wait for him to attack!

The door opens without effort...

We peek cautiously inside...

One wall is ablaze with flickering candlelight.

A piano before us

looks like it never plays...

A broom leaned on its side...

Books and photos displayed.

A black cat sits upon the floor

near a chair and a cauldron

we swear wasn't bubbling before...

...and on a tray near the brew

are jars filled with a slew

of ingredients most bizarre,

Items like decay and spider eggs...and things grosser, by far...

Another room down the hall

to the the right

Holds even more peculiar sights...

Jewelry and candles..

pictures of a beau?

Edgar Allen Poe!

A hat stand for a Crone's cone...

And are those eyes we spy

in that ornate jar?

Plucked fresh, the tag describes

when beauty was ripe within these eyes...

Nevermore.

....and hanging on the door

Witch's tights!

Have we found her boo-doir?

What could be next,

we wonder as we step

into the livingroom we go to inspect...

The fireplace mantle is shrouded and dressed...

...and someone is trying to escape the chest...

A boneyard atrium with a warning to beware..

we dare not let out spirits locked in there...

The table is hospitably set...

with tea and chocolates just waiting for guests.

Wait! Is that an insect?!

We find ourselves relaxing

even if just a bit...

...and I giggle to myself

as I tell you my secret.

I'm the one who brought you here,

My Dear,

to have tea with me!

Every year

Near Halloween

I prepare for company.

I empty out my pantry shelf

I cast a spell...to make a switch.

I close my eyes and make a wish....

And transform to my Witchy self!

Heeeheeheeeheeee!

Thank you so for joining me...and to the Lovely Vanessa Valencia for hosting this chance at spooky mayhem and revelry!!

Don't leave just yet, I have a Treat,

That one of you soon may receive...

Please leave a comment down below

and a way to reach you in case I don't know.

A guest will be chosen on October 29th

...and this crow will find a new place to reside :)

Okay, ryhming's over...phew!

Does anyone remember where I left my broom?

(sorry)

Heeeheeeheeehee!

Cameron

Painting with Soul

I'm excited to say, Dear Ones, that I've completed my first course at 21 Secrets!

I decided that I would take Tamara Laporte's (from Willowing) Collage, Paint and Soul class.  She has such a loose and effortless style that combines quotes, words and whimsy...along with a healthy dose of introspection...something I've felt really drawn to lately...

She told us to find connection with this piece by writing directly on the paper, any thoughts, issues or affirmations important at the time...  In the past, I may have skipped this step entirely, especially since it will be covered up anyways...but I wanted to take the time to do things "right".  I needed to do this, to not only get the most from this course, but to charge this piece with a bit more emotion than my usual creations.
(Don't worry, I don't expect you to read it :D  I just wanted to prove that I did it...haha!)

We were then told to incorporate an animal that held some special meaning pertaining to our journaling.  Because my words spoke of being genuine, questioning the legacy I'm leaving behind for my daughter and filling myself up with light in all aspects of living, I chose the Crow.

The Crow/Raven wisdom includes:

~Rebirth without Fear

~Comfort with Self

~Eloquence

~Ability to find Light in the Darkness....among other wonderful things.  Without getting too mystical on ya', I'll just say that Crows are clever and beautiful birds...not a bad choice when wanting to emphasize positive changes :)

Tam's art includes quotes, handwritten organically around the page to pull the whole theme together and give greater depth and strength to the piece.  This is also new for me...I almost chose not to write on it, I liked it so much just as it was...but, deciding at the beginning that I was going to stay true to the instruction...I went for it!

...I'm really happy with it!  Tam's way of working flows so naturally...I still over-thought and over-complicated what should have been simpler...but it is something I will definately try again! 

BTW, she is on 11x14 inch watercolor paper.

I'm finally able to join the festivities at Paint Party Fridays, for once ( I rarely post on Fridays)...so please pop on over there to see how others are putting paint to good use! 

Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you guys?  I hope that you are all giving me that embarrassed little shoulder shrug that kids give parents when asked if they know how much they are loved :) ...and just in case there are a few of you out there who are sure I couldn't be talking to them...I am! 

Really and for truly,

Cam