Spring rain to Soak in, Lampshades to Alter up!

Happy Wednesday!

It's a bit gloomy, but a wonderful day to contemplate, take time to create of course (keep those Pins coming - they're wonderful!) and write a bit...so that's what I've been doing today :)

In The Studio...

Today I just started to paint a lampshade for kicks...

I just did a basic background on each panel for now - when it dries tomorrow I'll figure out what I'd like to do with it.  Perhaps I'll tell a story on each panel...

 We'll see - then I was thinking of really altering the base with spackle, plaster, doing something like I'm already doing with the globe...

 And here's my nifty 360 view of what I've done so far...to be continued...

There are some wonderful altered lampshades I've seen in the cyber world lately...

Check out My Brave Soul

From The Funky Artisan

From Seaweed & Pickles

from Just About The Details

And as for painted lampshades, I found some gorgeous artwork...

from Home Design Lover

Under The Compass Moon

Cowboy Classics

I just love painting nature.  My lamp will definitely have some tree-and-more-themes vignettes.

And speaking of the wonders of our natural world...definitely check out this article (with lots of eye-candy!) on 23 OF THE MOST INSPIRING VIEWS ON THE PLANET (AND HOW TO GET THERE)

Gotta love Thailand...

Poem for today...

All this burgeoning Spring weather, flowers starting to blossom (well, almost) makes me want to paint, and also write a bit about the inspiration that surrounds me every day, every moment...here's a little poem I've cooked up for ya:

Ahhh....nature..... (untitled painting by me)

Ground your feet here like a tree

Spread and open up your branches

Blossom like a peony

Like a child, take your chances

Change like a chameleon

Like a gazelle, leap the farthest

Express what you are feelin’

By painting like a dirt-poor artist

Keep your spirit fresh as air

Keep your soul as crisp as paper

Follow instincts everywhere

Keep your conscience clear as vapor

Float downstream just like a fish

Move with calmness like a sloth

Like a penny, make a wish

Fly towards the light like a moth

Like the springtime, thrive and bloom

Like snakes shedding, shed your cares

Like spring-cleaning, make some room

To hibernate and rest like bears

Turn your colors like the fall

Turn your pages like a book

Have ups and down like a bouncing ball

Like glasses, take a closer look

Resonate like glass wind-chimes

Like July days, beat like the sun

Like photos, capture happier times

That stick with you when day is done

Like windows, see through insincerity

Like lovers, fondly embrace sadness

Like colanders, find clarity

Sorting out the good from badness

Learn to live from your surroundings

Lessons are hid everywhere

You’ll find love and joy abounding

If you simply stay aware

When the day’s slow to get going

You’re anxious for what’s to come

Find the quiet peace in knowing

You can’t be happy if you’re numb

Dazing out or running from pain

Hides hard feelings that annoy

You may not feel hurt or strain

But numbness also blocks out joy

So take a hint from budding flowers

Who freeze under the winter’s snow

They know they’ll have shining hours

If they wait for Spring’s bright show

So tolerate the bitter cold

And get through slightly harder days

Like trusting kids, find hands to hold

We all must cope in healthy ways

Everyone here has their own worries

Things that sadden and distress

But if we all tell our stories

Our milieu can do their best

To empathize, support and care

To know we’re not in this alone

Strength comes with the more we share

And realize we’re human, not stone

We’ll have peaks and valleys like mountains

Some rich days, some just ordinary

But we’ll reach glorious heights like fountains

Shooting off a stream of glory

If every day started and finished

Like the day you had had before

Soon your joy would be diminished

What would you be breathing for?

So like a riddle, keep others guessing

Like shuffling cards, mix it all up

Like a priest, find your own blessing

Like a pitcher, fill your cup

Today is an empty barrel

You can’t wait to stuff and fill

With curiosities and carols

Find your own song, seek your thrill.

Today, I'd like to encourage all of you to write...something - no matter what.  Here is a great article compiled of 20 writers urging you to write - some of these quotes are wonderful - please do check out 20 Great Writers on Motivating Yourself To Write, No Matter What

And in the kitchen...

Before I go - here's an adorable little collection of recipes - all different  kinds of delicious yummy stuff you can make in a muffin tin - it's good food, but fun-size - can you ask for anything better than that???

21 Easy Desserts You Can Make In A Muffin Tin

Oh boy - now that has my brain going - I wonder if I can alter a muffin pan in the studio tomorrow...

Thanks Nanette for the wonderful altered muffin tin Pinterest Board!

Have a wonderful day folks!