Sunday, August 21, 2011

Big Idea Festival - Nest

Saturday's word for the Big Idea Festival was "nest."  At first the word left me stone-cold stumped - totally devoid of any creative inspiration.  But I really wanted to just go with it.  And when I let go, and leaned into my discomfort with the word, the inspiration came:

My inspiration for the tree came from here. The page is a mixture of watercolors and acrylics and highlights and shadowing with Pitt Artist Pens.

The inspiration is totally appropriate and timely.  As I was creating this page, Sarah was busily packing for college.  Today she left.

I'm really happy for her because I know how badly she wanted to go - how ready she was to fly the nest - and I totally understand and empathize. She is so ready to be an adult and to take the world by storm. And I'm sure some sharp recruiter will snap her up before graduation.  Any employer would be lucky to have her.  But I miss her already.

Today marked phase two of a three-phase return to "normal."  Phase one occurred a week ago when Jay returned to work.  Phase two was today.  Phase three occurs one week from now, when Rachel and Becca return to school.  Today was the hard part. A week from now the heavens will open and choirs of angels will sing and I'll be doing a happy dance the likes of which you have never seen (and probably you'll be grateful for that!).

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9 comments:

Amy said...

It is such a fine line between independence and responsibility - this is what you have been teaching her to do, she will be fine and she will flourish ... so will you Mum! :-)

scrappyjacky said...

I emphasize with the 'choirs of angels'.....I well remember them singing!!!
I love the quote....and how you've portrayed it.

Anonymous said...

I look forward to each of your pages for this project. You inspired me to do the class but mine are plain and simple not adventurous like yours. I am going on a Tim Holtz type class on Saturday so am hoping to be able to make more arty pages for minis soon xxx

Jo.C said...

Great save - I'm going to try and catch up later today but the weather is fab so maybe not - or I could do it outside now there's a thought. Love the tree and the buds. Off to look at your inspiration now.

scrappysue said...

Hi Cheri, I've a lot of bloggy catching up to do, but I wanted to comment on your page which is fabby! Love that you painted and the quote is perfect.

MonicaB said...

I really love this page. The quote is wonderful. Your art really makes me want to do this class. I'm just collecting the content in hopes of doing sometime in the future.

Cheryl said...

I love your page and your quote is so thought provoking x

Ginger said...

Cheri, your pages for the Festival have all been so beautiful... I have decided to not do any... I tried yesterday but just could not gather any inspiration...

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love this piece, Cheri, and the story you have told with it. I feel for you with regard to Sarah leaving for college! Carrie has been out on her own for almost 2 years now and I still miss her at times. xo