"Mettre un oiseau sur elle" in other words... "Put a Bird On It"

                      "Mettre un oiseau sur elle"  in other words... "Put a Bird On It"

Recently, I took the dive into a local "Call to Artists" project for auction, offered through Creative Studios in Sturgeon Bay courtesy Erika Block.  I took on the project with the thought process of a challenge.  Erika chose TEN artists, sent them TEN items (to use for inspiration), and in TEN days we were supposed to create a piece of art for auction at Creative Studios.  What interested me the most is there was only ONE RULE:  There are no rules.  My head had been reeling and spinning with ideas. What I could do to piece together a project in a relatively short period of time that would also reflect my artistic style and my business.  When I finally got the TEN pieces to use for inspiration for the project....I could not put them down.  Literally, I could NOT set the project aside, for even more timely matters, things I really needed to get done. 

TEN was here!  And the excitement and anticipation had not prepared me for what was no less than an obsession to complete the piece.  I turned over each article I received, one by one. I looked at each object and thought....what size could the art end up to be, what colors should I choose, what would I use, what would I reject.  Of the TEN elements I received how would put it together....and still be true to me.  Then it dawned on me.  "Cards As Art"!  

Several of the elements had French text printed on them, there was a brushed silver Flor de lis and there was a small bird print that just spoke to me.  And then in the back of my mind something I heard a couple of months ago, something that stuck with me and something I've quoted a couple of times since sprang to mind.  Something I even said to my best friend that same morning:  "Put a Bird On It!"

Well here it is!  I made it in the true essence of my art form....I made it following the same principle and idea as "Cards As Art".  I matted  the piece in one of the recycled paper cards that are able to slide into a standard 5x7 frame.  I found a recycled 5x7 silver frame from my stash and Ta-da!  It was finished.  I sat back in awe and took a breath....which I'd been holding since I started.  And then the strangest familiar feeling took over.  I felt loss....it was over, complete, it was on its way out the door.  It is the same feeling you get each time you see your adult children and the separation you feel when they leave.  I have to turn that feeling back into on of jubilation.  So....I  did what I do, I picked up my camera, took a quick snapshot of the piece and sat down to write this blog entry.  I wanted to share my latest artistic experience with....elation, celebration and and exclamation......"Put a Bird On It"
is the translated title of the piece which is aptly named:  "Mettre un oiseau sur elle" in honor of all the French pieces that were included in the challenge.
I had so much fun with this challenge.  Hope you enjoy the art and the story.  And if interested stay tuned for an announcement about the auction which is forthcoming. 
Talk to you all later and for now......"Put a Bird On It"!

Carol Toepke
Photographer/Owner
Collections by Carol & Cards As Art
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