I don't know about you, but I have always been a big fan of the TV show, The Biggest Loser. I love watching the transformation that the contestants go through as they change their lives. One of the best, inspirational quotes I carry in my head was from former coach, Jillian Michaels...just when the workout was getting tough and grueling, she yelled out..."That is FEAR leaving your body." I replay this simple sentence when I am working out and when I feel like quitting.
Although I am not a huge fan of the self-created drama on the show (if you watched last night, you'll know what I'm talking about), but one of my favorite parts is the Big Reveal at the end where they show the eliminated contestant and what they look like now. WOW!
Well, here's my version of the Big Reveal from last week's
Surprise Art...
a
First, this sweet angel that I made for my dear friend, Elle. She is a fabulous writer, who has that amazing ability to sculpt words that get straight into your heart. I credit her for teaching me how to really LOVE a POEM. This little painting was based on a story she told our group about one of her earlier writings. I won't divulge it here, in case she wants to share it herself elsewhere, but this is just my little way of letting her know that she will ALWAYS be loved.
Next, is my version of The Owl and The Pussycat for my recently-married friends, Lillian and Paul! When Tim and I were married, we used the quote from this poem "hand in hand, by the edge of the sand. They danced by the light of the moon. The moon, the moon, they danced by the light of the moon." We were married near the beach and put that quote on bookmarks given out to our guests. I've always loved the tale of this unlikely couple who ran off and tied the knot. Go LOVE!! Below, I've included the poem in its entirety so you can read in full about their adventure.
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat
By Edward Lear 1812–1888 Edward Lear
I
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"O lovely Pussy! O Pussy, my love,
What a beautiful Pussy you are,
You are,
You are!
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"
II
Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried:
But what shall we do for a ring?"
They sailed away, for a year and a day,
To the land where the Bong-Tree grows
And there in a wood a Piggy-wig stood
With a ring at the end of his nose,
His nose,
His nose,
With a ring at the end of his nose.
III
"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?" Said the Piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the Turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon;
And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,
They danced by the light of the moon,
The moon,
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
Source: The Random House Book of Poetry for Children (1983)
Both of these paintings were done using acrylics and paper collage on wood. I am still enamored with adding bits of twigs too. The
FLY bird I created recently has already SOLD, so I'm going to start work on a flock of those!
Anyone else have a special way of sharing their creative gifts? The love that was beaming back and forth through these exchanges was truly the essence of why I create. It's amazing the impact one can have on another person by making something and giving it from the HEART!
Lovebeams, babies, LOVEBEAMS!!
Aloha, Shari
