2/4/12

Ups, Downs, and Beautiful Spaces

A new year. The chance to start fresh. Start over. Keep up. A burst of hope, and then we find ourselves in the thick of things, living a life and here come those ups and downs!


For my first Bead Journal project (first ever!), I chose a small section of Georgia O’Keefe’s Evening Star IV because I saw it as a colorful representation of the peaks and valleys that await all of us in the 366 days of 2012. Quiet stretches of calm purpose, surges of renewed energy, periods when new ideas are born and puzzling times when our creative process seems fallow.

Georgia O'Keefe's Evening Star IV
Georgia O’Keefe had not painted in several years when her sister persuaded her to visit an old friend and teacher, Alon Bement. Georgia considered him a very poor painter, but a brilliant teacher, and was much influenced with an idea he gave her: “The idea of filling a space in a beautiful way - where you have the windows and door in a house, how you address a letter and put on the stamp, what shoes you choose and how you comb your hair.” Her examples are very much of her generation, but still a valuable idea for us today. It sparked Georgia to say things with colors and shapes that she couldn’t say in any other way.

My first pendant, based on her painting, will remain on my bead table - a reminder to stay in balance with the rhythms of life – and to create beauty in the spaces.

14 comments:

  1. Karin, it's lovely! Great idea to use O'Keefe's painting as a jumping off point. Really pretty and beautifully beaded.

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  2. Beautiful pendant and based on the work of such a talented artist. Nicely done!

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  3. What a great perspective and what a great reminder.

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  4. Love Georgia's work- this is a lovely tribute and adaptation, well done- it's really stunning!
    Kal,x

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  5. Beautiful beadwork. And using Georgia O'Keefe's work as an inspiration was such a great idea. Happy beading.

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  6. What a fabulous adaptation of a fabulous painting! I'm so glad you decided to do the BJP this year :-)

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  7. I LOVE this Karin, it's gorgeous!!

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  8. That's amazing and I love the colors!

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  9. Karin this is such a great piece. You've managed to capture Georgia's artwork in such a creative way. Looking forward to February :)

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  10. I too am really happy you're in the BJP this year. I especially like your insightful backstory for this piece and your intent to use it as a reminder about balance, flow and rhythms. OK, well, and the way you interpreted G's painting in beads just thrills me.

    So does your blog header image and profile statement. Kudos for everthing!

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  11. Hi,Karin:-)
    You've captured my attention with Georgia's paintings and I can say,I'm really impressed.Simple,nice and the themes can be the perfect inspiration for beading.Your piece is wonderful.
    Happy Beading to You:-)
    Warm Hugs from frosty Sweden-Halinka-

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  12. Your piece is a good reminder for all of us. It's lovely. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about it.
    Marty S
    Crackpot Beader

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  13. Wonderful creation, and I loved the story behind it!

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  14. Your pendant is beautiful - what a wonderful source of inspiration!

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