I've been in a funny mood these days. Just a bit 'out of sorts' but I can't quite put my finger on the whys of it all. I'm wondering if it's because winter is setting in and my body is going into hibernation mode. I've had some stressful pet care cases which always do a number on me, but I think it's more than that. I think I need a break. Some sort of a 'pulling in' to take care of my own cries. When I saw the topic for this week I loved it, but ironically I came up blank. I sat at my studio all day today and this is finally what I came up with. I admire the mushroom that grows in the dank, darkest of places. In fact, it thrives in those conditions. I spent a large amount of time looking for inspirational quotes about mushrooms and didn't come up with anything, but I did come up with this quote on growth. And it's about nature, which is my church.
"Day by day I grow more knowing in the ways of the trees and the moss and the snow on the ground, and all things are my friends."
Knut Hamsun
So here I go into hibernation, willingly. But I won't miss an Illo Friday entry, no sir.
acrylic on canvas 6"x6"
And that is a very attractive painting.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend!
Beautiful! I love this piece, and your sentiment. Keep on painting!
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful piece, Laurel. I like the way the texture of the canvas shows.
ReplyDeleteLove the texture, it even includes some artist brush!
ReplyDeletei love this. know what you mean, feel the same, betwixt and between.
ReplyDeleteohhhhhh cMON!!!! lolo...lookit how CHEERY you made their tops...their little polka dots, happily waiting to be discovered. but there's also some real beauty in the murkier parts.
ReplyDeletehow'd your show go? red dress girl is a total inspiration to me! i just lovee her! :))
mamma said there'd be days like that but not so many in a row. know wht u mean. hey i like this pic. the root system on that tree is wonderul and the way u have the light play just barley across the top of the mushrooms to give a hint at they're growing in that dank drak place. : )
ReplyDeleteI love the seemingly simplicity of this piece, and that if you take your time contemplating on it, you will find it much more complex than you'd first think. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about winter settling in, we had our first snow today and I nearly cried. Good thing we have our art to help us to get through it, don't you think?
Love,
Carra
this is amazing amazing amazing... I am glad you shared what you were thinking when it appeared - a beautiful expression of your experience.
ReplyDeletedare i say it again: amazing
Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteGreat work as usual here. Really like the texture you've created...
love the texture and composition! well done.
ReplyDeleteReally nice! I know the feeling is supposed to be dark, but this painting has so much light in it - the mushrooms are just reaching for it!
ReplyDeleteNicely done, Laurel! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I love tree roots ... I love the complex twists. Also, you have been tagged. You can see the details on my blog at http://laurelneustadter.blogspot.com/2007/10/seven-facts-about-me.html
ReplyDeleteThis is a painting that I can look at forever! It is stunning!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really lovely, ethereal, almost meditative piece; sometimes we need time to ourselves to 'regroup' spiritually and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteLove the image, love the sentiments! I think this time of year does call for a change of adaptive strategies. Looks like you're adapting well!
ReplyDeleteIt's fungilicious!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful...dark but hopeful. And here's an Alice quote for you, too, dear sister. "I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, because I'm not myself, you see." Does that help explain how you're feeling? Or this..."Dear, dear, how queer everything is today! And yesterday things went on just as usual."
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post, dear sister! Actually, this isn't meant to be a "dark" post at all. I like knowing when to pull in and take care of myself. It's just come a bit earlier this year. And the mushrooms growing despite the dark, now that's hopeful! Thanks for the "Alice" quotes. Good ones!
ReplyDeleteA really nice piece! Cool.
ReplyDeleteLaurel, you found it, the "grow" in this piece. I love the play with contrasts here; dull brown and bright orange, coarse and smooth, dark and light. Those contrasts are what keep us moving in life, so enjoy your break.
ReplyDeletePeace and love~
thanx so much for your comment on my 'anorexic' illo. i agree with you, fatter is fitter!
ReplyDeletegonna add you to my favourites list!
ReplyDeleteI always go into hibernation this time of year, I start feeling that strange feeling in August as the light starts to change. I also happen to be a Mushroom...so...?
ReplyDeletebtw: Good luck on your Etsy store! Leave me a link to it.
That's the spirit! Love this little painting too. I hear you about the feeling out of sorts. I get this way this time of year as well and no, I too can't seem to put my finger on it.
ReplyDeletewonderful picture, great piece
ReplyDeleteI'm facinated by mushrooms, too, for the same reasons, and this piece really caught my eye. Like everyone else, I like the contrast and lighting.
ReplyDeleteNice piece, with beautiful light.
ReplyDeleteI also loved your illo for the topic "extremes!
Beautiful image - I like the sunlight on the mushrooms.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting! Subject, textures, design, colors and tones all work so perfect in communicating what you've written. They look cozy and ready for a rest as they stretch- enjoying the last feel of the sunlight peeking through.
ReplyDeletehey we belong to the same church! Very wonderful indeed! I love the moody quality to your painting and I see a tree like this on my walk every day. I love this!
ReplyDeletewonderful work! awesome as always.
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel! It must be in the cosmos. And yet, this is a beautiful painting, girl!
ReplyDeleteLaurel, don't be sad. Spring will come again one day. I am waiting for the day when I can move to where winter isn't so gloomy. Mushrooms are beautiful on your canvas. Emma hi!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful light and atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteThis is really beautiful! I love the secret places in the forest - there are such treasures amongst the roots, beneath the needles and leaves. This has a fine persepctive... all around a sweet painting:>
ReplyDeleteW-O-W!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love the texture! Very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you have captured the intertwining roots and of course the fungi!
ReplyDeleteHow you feel, you paint. The darkness seems to be illuminated here, and what intricate beauty it reveals. Love this painting Laurel!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, makes me feel very pensive, and slightly like hibernating myself.
ReplyDelete