I feel a great connection to Polaris, our North Star. And at one level it makes me laugh – as despite my affection, I am for all intensive purposes extremely directionally dyslexic.
But I cannot look into the night sky and not remember that I’m part of something bigger. I distinctly remember knowing that as a very young child looking at the stars. I know many people express feeling like an inconsequential speck of dust when they consider the sky with its star and planets and the moon. But that isn’t how I experience it at all. It always reminds me of that there are bigger parts of me, and playing in this game of my life on Earth as Deborah is an interesting and fun, if myopic point of view.
Because a pole star is relatively aligned to the Earth’s axis of rotation, its position appears to remain fixed in the night sky even as other stars seem to move, which is of course why they are/were so useful for navigation. When I look at Polaris I often think of her other beautiful name, Stella Maris, which means Star of the Sea.
Thinking about navigating by Stella Maris often leads me to think about one of my favorite story poems/love tales – Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat.
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five pound note.
The Owl looked up to the stars above,
And sang to a small guitar…
I’ve written a bit more about my love for this poem here.
Today’s index card art for Daisy Yellow’s ICAD challenge is a version of going to sea on a crescent moon boat under the watchful eye of Stella Maris.
I’m also linking to Summer of Color. The challenge this week was to create something/anything using the colors citron and turquoise. (You’ll have to trust me, although my colors don’t seem to be showing up correctly, the card is actually citron and the waves turquoise). I do encourage you to check out both ICAD and Summer of Color and see what folks are posting. And do play along if you’re inspired!
All this talk about stars has me remembering a movie I like to watch periodically called The Book of Stars. It’s the story of two sisters, but what immediately captured my attention when I first saw it (I think it was released in 2000) was the fact that one of the sisters was creating an artist journal, which she named The Book of Stars. That title had been in the back of my mind for years as something I wanted to create, and it was kind of exciting to see a Hollywood movie showing an artist book. Here’s a link to the blurb on Amazon so you can see if it’s something you’d like to see.
And as an aside, some day I WILL do my own version of The Book of Stars. Yes, I will!
Today, being Friday, is also time to show a little link love. Pop over to CraftyPod where Diane is hosting this summer’s Share the Link Love and see what other folks are listing as inspirational blog to stimulate their creative mojo.
Today I’m linking to 5 bookarts blogs.
- How fun would it be to wander around in a colorfully painted gypsy wagon? Find out at Wandering Book Artists.
- Cecilia Levy’s blog A Matter of Form is a delightful look at her work and others, and all kinds of paper wonders.
- It’s My Party is the blog of Aimee a paper junkie. She particularly likes to work with hanji.
- Anna Mavromatis’ paper and book work is impressive. Her latest post offers a peek at how nature influences her work.
- Hand Held Gallery is a gallery/exhibition space in Australia and they blog about various exhibits, artists, paperworks.
So there you have it. That was a bit of a trip around the universe, but I hope you found some things you enjoyed. Now it’s your turn. Do you have a favorite star – of the celestial variety? A movie recommendation about books? Are you the owl or the pussycat? Have a link to share about some blog that fires up your creative juices? Please leave a comment – you know I love to hear!
Hi, Deborah :). I LOVE reading your post today, I’m resonating with all the things I read here :). LOVE your calming ICAD too. I love stars and everything about the heavens. Since I live with 3 cats, I must be the owl then :). I feel connected to the Pleaides, and The Orion is a favorite guide to spot the seven sisters :). TFS!
Dear Eyes-to-the-Skies star-appreciating, cat-loving owl – how fun to connect through Summer of Color. I love your lovely journal, and am delighted you stopped by for a visit.
Nice to meet you via Icad. Your artwork is lovely!
Thanks Marcia. I’m enjoying your art as well.
What a wonderful blog post! I love what you’ve done with your ICAD. I’m half pussycat because I do sooo love to sleep, but also a night-owl….hmmm… 😉
Got here via SOC by the way!
Thanks for stopping by Zoe. I’m having fun working my way through the SOC links – this is really going to be an enjoyable summer of color! Love that you’re part pussycat, part owl – you’ve got all the bases covered.
FABULOUS POST. Love your index card, and great use of Summer of Color colours. One of my favourite poems as well. 🙂 Looking up into the nights sky always leaves me awe struck at how we are all part of this incredible universe. How much more there is out there that we will never comprehend, yet we are all connected. Amazing. Thanks for sharing the link love as well. 🙂
I find it utterly impossible not to be gobsmacked by the night sky – twirling around on our beautiful planet in some kind of great cosmic dance. Thanks for stopping by Natasha and for your kind words.
I absolutely love this post so much! I especially like the index card you made with your version of the sea – beautiful! Such a wonderful way to express and use the colors for the Summer of Color challenge!
Glad you popped by Sharon – I enjoyed your piece as well.
Hi Deborah!
I really enjoyed reading your post and look forward to getting to know you more through the Summer of Color. Your card is beautiful; I love the torn pages and saturated colors, and the idea behind it is beautiful, xoxo
Thanks Kristin – I so glad you’re hosting this wonderful challenge. So much color – so much fun!
Lol. I’m directionally dyslexic too! In fact, if my husband and I are lost somewhere, we will usually go with the opposite of where I think we should go. Looking forward to your future publication!
LOL – yes I think we must be carrying the anti-compass.