Inspiration from the written word....

I've been noticing that my inspiration comes a lot from music and the written word. Sometimes I heard a phrase, or a title of a song or a book or a tale and it sparks an idea that needs to be drawn and painted.

This is the case of my 2 newest paintings: Queen Bee (from "The Secret life of bees"). A 6x12 inches mixed media collage on wooden panel. It may not have much to do with the book... but when I heard the title I imagine this girl who was the one to whom all the bees came for advice and nectar and to rest a bit after a long work day...



And there's also one based on my favorite poem by my favorite poetry writer, Jaime Sabines. "La luna" It's in Spanish but I found it translated:

Y
ou can take the moon by the spoonful
or in capsules every two hours.
It's useful as a hypnotic and sedative
and besides it relieves
those who have had too much philosophy.
A piece of moon in your purse
works better than a rabbit's foot.
Helps you find a lover
or get rich without anyone knowing,
and it staves off doctors and clinics.
You can give it to children like candy
when they've not gone to sleep,
and a few drops of moon in the eyes of the old
helps them to die in peace.


Put a new leaf of moon
under your pillow
and you'll see what you want to.
Always carry a little bottle of air of the moon
to keep you from drowning.
Give the key to the moon
to prisoners and the disappointed.
For those who are sentenced to death
and for those who are sentenced to life
there is no better tonic than the moon
in precise and regular doses.


Jaime Sabines

-- Poemas sueltos, 1981
translated by W. S. Merwin




She's eating her spoonful of moon before going to bed... nothing helps you sleep better.
(5x7 inches on wood panel).

Both paintings available here.





Comments

rossichka said…
Hi! A lovely blog with lots of "treasures" in it! I love both the paintings and the colours you've used! Yes, everything - a word, a melody, a tale, a sight can inspire the art to burst... I like very much the poem about the moon!!
Rebecca Anthony said…
OMG I am in love with Queen Bee, please let me know if you ever have a print of her!!
Love the Queen Bee and the colours on La Luna are gorgeous!
These are both so beautiful, Danita. They each speak to me. I loved the book, "The Secret Life of Bees" so much, and I am a forever moon-watcher. I wish I could put every one of your works of art into a gallery here by me. That poem is just beautiful. I will come back again and again to reread it...
S2G said…
love your Queen Bee!
jacqueline said…
Danita, i too find inspiring in words! I adore your new paintings especially Queen Bee!! That is such a lovely poem! Thanks so much for sharing! Have a lovely merry happy day and love to you!
Carolee said…
These are just stunning! I've been painting bee inspired work lately too...they're such magical creatures!

~ Carolee
Sunny K. Lee said…
I love Queen Bee...Colors are so deep and rich!

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