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Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Channeling Anahata Katkin along with Edith Wharton and Charlotte Bronte.....

Hello again, I know, it's crazy- me posting twice in the space of a few days?  What is up with that?  But, nevertheless; here I am with snaps of my (finally) finished pages for Kim of IM Girl.  You may remember that her artist of choice was Anahata Katkin......you may also remember that I mentioned having a hard time designing pages that honored her style without infringing on her creative rights.  And it took me a while, but I got there in the end!  I am really pleased with these pages!
I knew all along that I wanted to use an Emily Bronte quote I recently came across and as I was drawing the cherry branches and bird, I realized that it brought to mind a long time favorite artist of mine; Edith Wharton who wrote and illustrated The Diary of an Edwardian Lady.  I LOVED her work as a child, and was happy to re-remember her as an adult!  If you've never heard of her; google her- she's incredible!
I knew the bird had to be yellow because of the yellow
 (Anahata Katkin) bird on Kim's card

And I'll share a shot of this page as it appeared before I painted the letters but
AFTER I spotted a HUGE typo- 
it would have completely changed the meaning of this quote!  
I'm really glad I saw it before I painted all those layers of brown lettering- do you see it?

I wanted to continue with the bird theme for the outer side of her two page spread...... 
And I HAD to do a lady because I felt that was one of themes I have in common with Katkin- also, the tree is inspired from my current WIP canvas- I'll share it at the end of this post for anyone who wants a peek.
The words are part of an Emily Dickinson poem (I couldn't figure out a way to put her name on it without messing up the oval)  Here is the complete poem:
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
I really feel like I've poured a LOT of blood, sweat, and tears into this spread, but I am SO glad I stuck with it until I came up with a piece that was "me" as well as honoring Anahata Katkin.
Here's my WIP if you want a peek- I've been working at it on and off since January- it's the biggest, most complicated piece I've ever done- and I'm pretty fond of it too!

I think that's about enough from me for one day- I still miss all my blog friends, hopefully I'll make it back one of these days!
xx
Stephanie

10 comments:

Netty said...

As always your artwork is unique and beautiful Stephanie, Annette x

http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

WrightStuff said...

You did it! I am getting so excited seeing all of our work inspired by these artists. It is so YOU and so HER too. I especially love the darling little bird singing her sweet song.

Tara Dillard said...

Was working at a jobsite on Monday, a neighbor walked by.....

she's taking a group art class and wasn't doing well she said.

I told her about you !!!

anyway , the lady walked on with her dog, but I was trying to get you a customer !!

This is lovely stuff you are doing, beyond lovely.

go girl..

XO T

gma said...

So glad you stuck with it too Stephanie everything is beautiful!

Kim Collister Studio said...

Stephanie, you have really touched my heart with all your labor of Love here! Everything is simply perfect , yet still so you! I love the feather and poem! And the bird... All stunning work! I am so tickled with you showing your mistake before and after... Wait until you see mine on Tammy's journal! I should have that in the mail to you on Monday, I will be finishing it up this weekend and posting. Thank for your patience and thank you for you lovely lovely work in my journal, I will so treasure it!❤️

Kim Collister Studio said...

... " your lovely work" ... 😉
Oh, and you won't see the mistake except for the post, so be sure to take a peek.. It's pretty funny!

Maggie said...

This is perfectly beautiful, Steph! You have done an amazing job of capturing Anahata's style but keeping it so "Stephanie" at the same time. LOVE the colors ~ the scene with the hanging flowers and the dragonfly sign is exquisite! I SO love the delicate "sign" above with the lacy trees and dragonflies! Also the oval with the tree and the lady (is that a self portrait?) Beautiful!

Kat W said...

The way you have blended Anahata's birds, fantasy and ladies with your own beautifully elegant style is wonderful. I adore the lady and bird and your WIP is amazing!!

Love these pages and paintings.
Hugs
Kat L0(

Kat W said...

Forgot to add that I do know and like both Emily and Edith's writing/art. That Emily Dickinson poem is in a collection of hers that I own and that poem about hope is one of my favourites.
Kat :-) xx

Victoria said...

Aamazing..beautiful..powerful! your art always speaks to my soul! wowness!
Victoria