'Daily Escape' SOLD
6" x 6" watercolor
Almost two years ago I read a book that changed the way I thought about a lot of things. It was "Shiver" by Maggie Stiefvater (the book in my painting above). I fell in love with the story of Sam and Grace and couldn't stop thinking about it.
A few days later I was looking Maggie up online. I love to read about the lives of authors I admire, how they started writing, their inspiration and influences, their path towards publication, and it was then that I found out that Maggie and I are the same age.
This kind of stunned me for a couple of reasons: 1. Her writing was so beautiful and poetic it amazed me that someone so young (ahem, that's right, I said young, 28 is young right?) had written something so powerful. And 2. She had written a book that I LOVED and was published at MY age! If she could do it, maybe I could too.
After a little more online stalkage research I found out that Maggie also was a mother to two young children, and an amazing colored pencil artist to boot! This seemed strangely coincidental to me.
Now I'm not one who believes in 'signs' but I do believe that things happen for a reason, and that at certain times in our life God puts people or ideas there that we need at that exact time.
I started taking my writing more seriously after that, giving myself permission to believe that I could be a writer.
I've since written two novels and am now working on my third. I'm not published yet, but I believe that if I work hard enough one day I will be.
This painting was inspired by one Maggie had done (click here to see it). That's one of my own wolf sketches that I painted to look like a sketch, and that's apple cider in my mug instead of tea because I love cinnamon, apples, and sugar. :) Lots and lots of sugar.
Until next week my friends! Huzzah!
Hi Crystal, Absolutely amazing how books can have such aan influence on us. I am so glad you followed up on the author and then followed your inner voice to write!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I hope you will join my Giveaway from Interieurs!
Very beautiful, Crystal...I was wondering what was in that cup :)
ReplyDeletestunning crystal!! and i love the story! how amazing is that? i love books, they have helped me make so many changes in my life. and 28 is ridiculously young! publish those books, i'd just love to read them! and, this is a absolutely stunning painting!
ReplyDeleteHey crystal. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteYour art is also astonishing, a lot of experience here already :)
Wonderful blog and hints too. Thank you.
Cheers.
Ricardo Pereira
Loved the post and the painting is GORGEOUS! Seriously, how do you do it? Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal. I love this post. I've always thought you are talented with words. Plus an amazing artist!
ReplyDeleteThe reflections of light coming through the glass is gorgeous! I love that that you put your wolf sketch and the book in the picture, too. Terrific!
Wow...I love light reflecting on your glass of cider. Truly, really amazing. Painter and a writer, oh and a mom! I can barely find the time to be one or the other. Your works are just lovely :)
ReplyDeleteVery impressive!!! I love your painting - I think your composition, color and light is superb ( waay better than the one you were inspired by, if I may add) Now, to publish your novels :) You are giving the rest of us a complex :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting and wonderful story, it is amazing what one can achieve with a little self belief. That you read that book at that particular time was, I believe, no accident.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, the painting is lovely and so is Maggie's. I love the painted "sketch" of the wolf just laying there next to the books. I have to agree that 28 is a very young age to be a published author and especially of a book so powerful it would influence you in the way it did.
ReplyDeleteYou're only 28??! I could almost be your mother! LOL Wow - to be that talented at 28 is even more impressive ; ) Crystal, this is stunning, stunning, stunning! I can't take my eyes off that drink! Those reflections are killer. And I love anything to do with books ; ) Have a good night!
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful! Your creativity always inspires me. I like the unique composition here. I also love your baby portraits! Wow!
ReplyDeleteHi,Crystal,
ReplyDeleteWow, you have to invite me for tea. So beatuiful and nearly I feel it and taste it.
Cheers,Sadami
Crystal, somehow, somewhere and of course sometime, you and Maggie S. must meet!
ReplyDeleteAs stunning as it can get.. The words that came out of my mouth when I saw this piece were 'OH MY GOD'.. I was STUNNED.
ReplyDeleteAnd I also hope to see your books in the stands one day.. And I also saw Maggie's stuff. Outstanding stuff.
Have a great sugary day.
That is absolutely beautiful, I can almost smell and taste the drink and feel the warmth! Wonderful light again...
ReplyDeleteBravo Crystal. You have created a beautiful, interesting painting. Love the wolf sketch alongside the book.
ReplyDeleteWell, I must say that I was completely blown away when I saw this! Everybody knows how amazing your portraits are, there are none better than yours - but you know that sometimes artists stick within their comfort zone and avoid other subjects, so you never really know what else they can do - I didn't realise that you could paint still lives with the same beauty and life as you do portraits. I mean I would have guessed, but there's nothing like seeing the real thing. This really is extraordinary! I reeeeeeeally want to see more!!! :0D
ReplyDeleteI just HAD to come back and see it again!!!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, this is Fantastic!!!! What an amazing correlation your life has with the artists. I think you should take it as a sign. This painting is just amazing! You have some mad skills, lady! And it tells such a story, do you follow Alvin Richard's blog? You should check it out he always has a great story behind his still life paintings also!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting. (You're amazing!!) And how cool is it that you have so much in common with her. Glad she inspired you!
ReplyDeleteyes! 28 is young little missy...I'm dealing with being 37! how did that happen!?
ReplyDeleteI'm currently working on a book about my own creative life....don't know when I'll be finished, but when it is..you'll see it on my blog!
anyhow..your art is amazing...so happy to visit here with you..I've subscribed to receive your posts via email....so I won't miss anything.
ciao bella
Creative Carmelina
Beautiful painting, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating you like to write also - I've just started. xx
Love this painting and intrigued that you love to write. I considered being a writer instead of a visual artist when I was a teenager but decided I couldn't devote energies to both at the same time and become as adept as I hoped to be with either choice. I have continued to be a journal keeper though and am now involved in writing "memoirs" which I hope to self publish. I too am enamoured of writers and frequently write fan letters to my favorite authors - often the write back which is a real thrill for me. Would love to read your novels!
ReplyDeletecrystal.. absolutley stunning painting.. and a wonderful story to enjoy while gazing.. you can do it.. let us know when you get published.. will hop on over to the store to get one!!
ReplyDeletetake care, cindi
very good paintings : )
ReplyDeleteYou go girl! Your paintings are magical, so I know your books will be to. Love this one!
ReplyDeleteYou are an inspiration, as always. Love the awesome reflection coming from the glass.! your work is always a joy to see.!
ReplyDeleteThis is really stunning. I still cant believe it is a painting. Is this your first still life? I wouldn't be able to do it if I did a million before this.
ReplyDeleteThe light passing through the iced tea couldn't have been more real.
Really well done. And I m sure you will publish your novels soon.
Best wishes,
P.S. I hope you got my email.
super crystal ..will wait for your first book :)
ReplyDelete