Mirror, Mirror on the Wall | My Artfest Muse

I found the base for this piece many years ago on the beach at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend , WA during one of my Artfest retreats. I think it was a piece of a boat that washed up on the beach but it had always looked figurative to me and I finally decided to use it to create something that summed up my experiences at Artfest.



I've always used the time spent there to reflect on where I wanted to go with my art so the mirror was the perfect symbol for this and reminds me to look inside to find inspiration. A crown of confidence and wings are symbols for my belief that Artfest is a nurturing place that helped build confidence about my artwork and a resource for exploring different media and techniques of image making.



I made a detachable easel stand to give added flexibilty for display either on a tabletop or as a wall hanging. There are two sides to the symbols I've included, those on the left represent the actual physicality and presence of being at Artfest, on the right side are the creative aspects. All the items are attached using these wonderful garment pins I found at Archiver's (Making Memories Garment Pins)



I've learned that you need to follow your heart when you create and for the top left symbol I chose a small copper heart with gold filigree wings. The chain of small leaves, 11 in total, represent the years that Artfest has been in existence.



Fort Worden is a beautiful state park with wonderful trees full of crows and has a gorgeous beach that looks out to the Puget Sound. Many early morning walks as the sun rose has been the perfect start on a new day of creating. The fish and the pinecone became symbols for these rejuvenating aspects of the locale of Artfest.



Getting away from the routine of life at home and work has always been what's drawn me to Artfest. It's a respite from all that is going on in my life. The three word charms, Be -- Here -- Now, sum up what my focus becomes once I cross through the park entrance. The blue skies, the bird calls, the wind in the pines all bring a sense of calm and serenity to my mind.



I never know what masterpieces will come out of the classes I've taken at Artfest. Every one of the instructors I've had brought a wealth of information and inspiration. They've always managed to get my mind thinking and the creative juices flowing. Four arrows represent any direction you may go in as you learn new ways to communicate visually, the small gears are the creative processes turning in my mind and all that culminates to a treasure to take home with me.



The key to unlocking creativity is to have fun and be open minded when taking a class outside of my comfort zone. I always strive to not have any expectations about the instructor or the class subject matter and let the inspiration flow. And I like to take what I'm learning and put my own spin on it.



The last set of symbols on the lower right rung is what I feel is important to creating any work of art. You need time. Time to think, time to let what you've learned sink in and setting aside chunks of time to play. The hourglass represents the passing of moments and the watch date wheel represents the months it may take to truly make something you've learned become your own.


And the final word on Artfest...DELICIOUS:)

I plan on displaying my muse at the Artfest 2010 attendee gallery next week!!!! Hope to see you there:)