An eclectic mix of life, art & fiction… and a sprinkle of faith.
A Feather in Your Cap
Thanks to Christopher for giving me the idea to attempt 1920s Art Deco. I’m really happy with this one. It started out very generic as the girl was seen in online somewhere, but of course I never replicate things exactly (I couldn’t if I tried!).
With colors this one looked busy but boring. Then I saw a cat that was done in black and white in a somewhat abstract way and it gave me the idea to dial it back on the colors and accentuate a black and white (or cream?) foundation. I think it adds a little formality.
I learned something today though. I’ve heard the old saying “put a feather in your cap,” but I never knew what it actually meant ( probably didn’t care).
Anyway, it means “to achieve something noteworthy, or to earn a praiseworthy accomplishment that you can be proud of.” That works for me because I suppose this woman looks like she’s proud of something. Maybe her cool black pearl dress strap.
In reality, I think she’s basking in the sun. It’s not in the picture, but it’s there… shining its light on her. Applauding her for a job well done. So perhaps I did accomplish the sun today, just in a much more abstract way.
I also learned that sometimes less really IS more. Sometimes I waste time trying to add more colors or lines, or to make something look ‘real life’ – which never happens – but I found with this one that taking away from it actually added to it. There’s a life lesson in there I’m sure.
That being said, I need to focus on making illustrations look like… well… illustrations. I did that here and I am so much happier for it. Trying to turn them into something they’re not just doesn’t work. It’s not authentic and it ends up spoiling the whole picture. Another life lesson!
That’s all for now. I’m going to think about my next project soon, but for now it’s time to say goodnight.
Thank you so much for viewing/reading.
I hope you enjoyed!
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Blogging through the Alphabet in 2025
Abundantia
Gratitude is the seed of abundance.
I’ve decided to go ahead with a new game this year, very similar to one I’ve done in the past – a few times. I’m calling this one…
“Blogging Through the Alphabet, 2025.”
So, here we go! I thought of the word abundance for the letter ‘A’ and I decided to explore it a little, just to see what I could find.
Abundance means having more than what is needed or expected, and when I stop and think about it, I have everything I need… and then some. Remember my stalled attempts to eliminate some of my excess clutter!?
So, when I think of abundance, and realize I have everything I need, it creates in me a sense of gratitude. It also helps lift some of that fog that fills my brain when I focus on what I think I need.
Like courage for example. There are things I’d like to do, but I’m too afraid to try. Sometimes I try to imagine that negativity as a ceiling that sits near the top of my head. When I want more of an “I can do this” attitude – I tell myself to “break the ceiling.”
Of course, that sometimes makes me think of the song “The Roof is on Fire,” but that’s a detour we don’t want to take right now.
Anyway. Thinking of the word abundance helps me imagine that there’s no ceiling at all… just the blue sky above. “The sky’s the limit,” as they say.
Removing that ceiling helps me understand that there are no real limits, only what I have imagined, and suddenly I am fearless.
What made the word even more fun, however, was learning that the word abundance comes from the Latin word abundantia, which means fullness, plenty, or overflowing riches – as that’s when I read about Abundantia… the Roman goddess of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.
Abundantia was often depicted carrying a cornucopia (the horn of plenty) on artwork and Roman coins, from the 3rd century CE, and I decided it would be fun to illustrate a modern day Abundantia (also known as Lady Fortune) for the first post of twenty-six in my new alphabet series.
I was going to include the horn of plenty, reflected in her glasses, but it seemed out of character – and possibly out of date. This is 2025 after all, and rarely (if ever) do I see cornucopias lying around.
Then I considered adorning her with diamonds and pearls, but abundance isn’t about having or obtaining these types of things, it’s about being grateful for what you have, and knowing that it’s enough. Or more than enough.
That’s about all for now. Thank you for reading/viewing… I hope you enjoyed!
Until next time,
Peace & Love.
Check out more of Blogging through the Alphabet 2024
a sprinkle of faith 
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