Saturday, March 6, 2010

If Envy Had a Shape, It Would Be a Boomerang

The words read "If malice or envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang." by Charley Reese
I hate the transfer and it was a lot of work. It's blurred, sloppy and just a mess.
It hangs nicely and it will fit perfectly in the mosaic, but I know I will end up either covering the messy words, painting over them or removing the polymer completely.
But I don't think I will be able to remove it because it is cemented to the Lacy Stiff Stuff. Maybe I will try a transfer on pure white instead of the translucent; or maybe fabric or just plain paper.
To reiterate one more time, my Bead Journal Projects are my way of giving myself permission to process negative feelings in a positive way. She is a colorful, art filled being with a good soul. Her face is full of confusion because she thought she was one thing, but learned she was another.

10 comments:

Kathy said...

This is amazing. I love the quote! What an amazing truth. I remember in choir in high school, our choir teacher read us a little children's story that has always stuck with me. Basically, it was about a little cricket who wouldn't sing because of how depressed she was that she didn't look like a butterfly. After a long journey and finally becoming glad for who she was, she begins to sing again. The story ends with a butterfly flying by and thinking, "Wow, what beautiful music. I wish I was a cricket."

Unknown said...

I like the whole piece, very vibrant colors and expression of what you wanted it to say. If you feel you must fix the words, try something simple like a cover up rather than tearing it apart. Personally, I like how the words are... it reflects your struggle with the piece this month and the conflict you had with being happy with how it was turning out.
Some times our thoughts and lives get a little smeared before we manage to make them clear again. Hugs.

bbdyevr said...

Love the piece and the phrase...AND love the story Kathy tells from High School Choir..."Grass is always greener..." We all think everyone else is fine and we are the only ones who have problems...until we sit and LISTEN...
Debi W.

Marlene Brady said...

Yes, I completely agree. After reading your comments Whytefeather, I have decided to leave the piece as is. It does symbolize my struggle and you are so right about our thoughts and lives getting a little smeared before getting them clear again. Kathy, I love the story. Fits perfectly. Thank you for sharing it. Debi, with all you have going on right now, I thank you for taking the time to comment and relate. Thanks. - Marlene

Anonymous said...

Good idea Marlene...I agree totally with Whytefeather...art should express what that artist is struggling with. Your bead work is exquisite as usual and vibrant. I would not change a thing! Oh, love the Kathy's story about the cricket.

Magpie Sue said...

I have to agree with everyone else. As a recovering perfectionist I can completely understand how you would want to fix the quote in this piece. But at the same time I think it will be more meaningful to leave it as it is. Easier said than done, I know!

Personally, I LOVE her face/head. So far each piece is better than the last in my opinion.

Carol Creech said...

I agree with everyone - love the quote and love the piece! The beadwork is amazing and I love how you are incorporating the quotes and feelings for each month. Great stuff!

Kathy said...

That story still makes me cry sometimes. It's all too easy for us to be so consumed with what we feel are our deficiencies that we can't be thankful for who we are. Every one of us is unique, special, and beautiful in his or her own way. If only we would spend as much time being who we are as we did wishing we were something else. "It's better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not." Marlene, you got me all philosophical over this thing. I agree with everyone--leaving this one as it came out is perfect. It's got quite a statement of its own.

Marlene Brady said...

A big thank you to everyone! Kathy you have such insight! The piece stays as is. Love you guys-thanks again. -Marlene

Dieverdog said...

I love it too. I understand because I often am a perfectionist about my own work and it is seldom that I am 100% satisfied. I once bought a very lovely scarf that had a wide beaded, crocheted trim that was handmade in India. I was told that there was one tiny bead in there somewhere that was a different color - made not to match on purpose - because their belief is that only God can create perfection - we (humans) should not be so bold as to think we can attain that (I'm paraphrasing how I recall it being described to me). I love to look for that one tiny blue bead amongst the brown - and think of that story. It reminds us to be humble and also to cherish our imperfections and celebrate them rather than hide or negate them.