Five Days Before Xmas…

And what have you done? Another year older and a new year is almost begun…it’s that time of the year. Time to reflect. Time to plan and begin anew.


Let’s talk about art:

I have a bigger commission piece that came in late, but after a sucky 2020 it is hard not to find time to accept as many as possible, right??. You’ll have to understand that I cannot share these for fear of ruining surprises/privacy etc. Instead, I will you show more of the images that have been sort of pouring out. I commented on my Facebook page ( @valeriedowdyart ) recently that I think I might have missed my calling as a textile designer.

Work In Progress

Someone mentioned in response to these that i should be printing my images at spoonflower.com, I am planning to look into that more when I have some time. I wouldn’t mind making a little side hustle $ from these images. The biggest struggle for me as an artist is probably the issue of $, if I am being honest. I am way too pragmatic and cautious. NOT words you often hear in correlation with describing artists, generally speaking of course. It is, however, what made me a pretty damn decent mom and paralegal. But unfortunately, these two sides of my personality often cause me significant distress. Most people would never know this because I don’t often let people in that close. But we here and i am sharing. Let’s move on because aren’t here to analyze me today.

Poetry:

A friend, who follows my blog, has suggested more than once to try some poetry while I am semi-breaking art work. I know so little about poetry. I wonder if anyone has some suggestions for a beginning connoisseur of written verse. Add to my comments any you like, or email then if you prefer. Another interesting I have noticed about my blog, people Seem to prefer talking privately with me. That’s cool-I just enjoy knowing you’re there and hearing your perspectives, ideas, or whatever you’d like to share. (Real) Connections are very important to me. So keep them coming!

I will close with the lyrics of a song that causes a tightening in my chest every single time I have ever listened to it through the years. Starry Night by Don McLean from his American Pie Album. Enjoy.

Starry, starry night
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer’s day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soulShadows on the hills
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colors on the snowy, linen landNow, I understand what you tried to say to me
And how you suffered for your sanity
And how you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen nowStarry, starry night
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
Swirling clouds in violet haze
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of china blueColors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving handNow, I understand, what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they’ll listen nowFor they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry nightYou took your life as lovers often do
But I could have told you, Vincent
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as youStarry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forgetLike the strangers that you’ve met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snowNow, I think I know what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they’re not listening still
Perhaps they never will

Peace and Happy Merry Holidays,