Here Comes the Sun

Here Comes the Sun — acrylic on canvas, 305 x 305 mm, 2018

So… I’m starting to get experimental with paint again : ) This quirky abstract was inspired by one of the digital collages I created on Polyvore.

Most days I veer wildly between two extremes, from being certain that I am on the right path creating art and building up my portfolio… to being certain that I am, in fact, not. Some days I don’t get out much and that doesn’t help either.

I have spent quite a lot of time over the last 18 months making digital collages in a social, encouraging environment online (the now defunct Polyvore website). I stepped away from the “business” side of art and immersed myself again purely in the process.  I learned to create in different ways, and it really sparked my imagination. I started getting bolder, discovered new motivations and perspectives, and it was brilliant fun.

Many people were shocked when Polyvore was shut down without warning. We lost the ability to make art in a particularly supportive yet challenging environment, we lost the ability to contact the friends we’d made, and it left a huge hole in our lives. But it hasn’t been all bad. When Polyvore’s new owners pulled the plug on the website, yes, it was horrible, but it was also my chance to get away from the computer and start painting in the “real” world again.

Another factor that comes into play here is that I recently started a year-long project writing six-word stories. I’ve already written more than 90 stories/poems in two months and I’m now thinking that quite a few of them would make really good painting titles.

Yes, here comes the sun! 🌧

Nanotechnology (word prompts)

The following six-word stories were prompted by the Page Flutter Six-Word Story Challenge. I’m also posting a few favourites on Instagram.

19. I will. Just wait. You’ll see.

20. One child’s quest became a bestseller.

21. Her boundless enthusiasm silenced untold complaints.

22. Across oceans, over seas: Titanic mistake.

23. Curiosities slowly collected dust and disappeared.

24. Otherworldly nanotechnology took care of them.

25. Infinite improbability beyond belief and yet…

[March prompts: I will…, child’s quest, boundless, across oceans, curiosities, otherworldly, to infinity…]

Her mind wandered (word prompts)

The following six-word stories were prompted by the Page Flutter Six-Word Story Challenge. I’m also posting a few of my favourites on Instagram.

12. Deprived of coffee, her mind wandered.

13. She found treasure in everyday places.

14. Once famous, she was still legendary.

15. The underground artists disappeared almost overnight.

16. Hidden talents were discovered while jamming.

17. Leprechauns know there is no gold.

18. I wish it would finally begin.

[March prompts: up and away, found treasure, legendary creature, underground, discovered, leprechauns, I wish…]

Wonderland (word prompts)

The following six-word stories were prompted by the Page Flutter Six-Word Story Challenge. I’m also posting a few of my favourites on Instagram.

5. Nonsense, my dear. This is Wonderland.

6. The trouble was he was trouble.

7. It wasn’t luck; it was design.

8. Her dreams began to rearrange reality.

9. The adventurer’s stories sounded vaguely familiar.

10. She was colourful. He was colourblind.

11. Consider all angles. Go full circle.

[March prompts: wonderland, trouble maker, lucky charm, the dream, adventurer, full colour, new angle.]

Beautiful (word prompts)

The following six-word stories were prompted by the Page Flutter Six-Word Story Challenge. I’m starting to catch up and am now working through the March prompts.

26. “You are beautiful.” “Thank you, Mum.”

27. His defeat tasted more like victory.

28. Working together, they proved everybody wrong.

1. Over the rainbow, there be unicorns.

2. Someday? I vote we start today.

3. Melting wax? He’d gone too far!

4. She was the planetarium’s brightest star.

[February/March prompts: the compliment, savoured, together, over the rainbow, someday…, far away, starscape.]

No expert (word prompts)

The following six-word stories were prompted by the Page Flutter Six-Word Story Challenge. I’m also posting a few of my favourites over on Instagram.

19. He could always make her laugh.

20. Memories, like clouds, are constantly changing.

21. Money can’t buy me love, no.

22. One kind word changed their minds.

23. What good have I done today?

24. Time — given, borrowed, taken — never enough.

25. My inner critic is no expert.

[February prompts: the healer, memories, priceless treasure, stranger’s kindness, daily ritual, time given, self-love.]