Ophelia and the Bird

I love this painting Ophelia by John Everett Millais.
I ashamedly first saw this painting in the teenage love story/movie named Fire with Fire (and a movie I watched numerous times as a teen with my best girlfriend). If you were a girl born in the 70's and were 16 when this gushy film came out you will understand the attraction.

Any hoo, I have since ( thankfully ) seen the painting in person and not from some old TV screen.
All I can say is It Is Amazing. I know that it is over used in adds, prints and the like.....but it is Amazing nonetheless. I am fascinated and dumb struck every time I see it.

So, when I came home from London this time (after standing in front of it drooling for a couple of hours) I wanted to take up the subject of Ophelia myself. Here is one result on a pot.
And the following sculpture/bottle is the Bird King, claiming attention again, resenting Ophelia for her beauty and seductive ways.

Back in the saddle....

Sigh.
No rest for the weary.
Back in the studio working like a mad woman trying to get ready for the last show of spring all the while planning a trip to NY on Saturday.
Here's a peek at what I am working on.....
More bottles but now with faces. It wasn't until I made 2 that I realized they look like Gumby and therefore are not quite as appealing to me. Will thinks they look nothing like Gumby....what do you think?
I am surprised it matters to me. In the beginning I was completely in love with them.
Now I am thinking of not even firing the little fellows. It is always amazing to me how quickly my interest can fade if I feel like I've referenced a cartoon, another artist, another person's design too distinctly. I do feel though it is impossible not to be influenced by the visual stimuli around us.


On another note.....
I don't want to leave out some of the pictures from California.
I really had an amazing time. The people were sweet, welcoming and gorgeous.
The flowers divine.
The succulents were huge and some of them....truly.....were bigger than me. (I'm 5'2")
We went to the beach and looked in these amazing tide pools finding hermit crabs and bright blue-green sea anemone.
We were blessed to go to a Very Fancy fashion show. And though I felt like a redneck disguised in black velvet and heels....It Was Fabulous! So much fun!
And of course Diane and Jared, our wonderful hosts, were so much fun to be around.
Thanks to them for being the bestest!

ps. The show was a success and a lot of fun!