Friday, March 2, 2012

Inspiration Avenue: The allegory of spring

Allegory: an art form, as a story, painting, or sculpture, in which the components have a symbolic, figurative meaning.

Spring: one of the four temperate seasons, the transition period between winter and summer. Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and broadly to ideas of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. The specific definition of the exact timing of "spring" varies according to local climate, cultures and customs.


I can't be certain, because I'm not very good with allegory, but Priti Lisa provided us with the "Allegory of Spring" challenge for Inspiration Avenue this week. I only hope I have done OK with this one. We are supposed to create an allegory, something with a hidden meaning, was what Lisa (the Priti one)suggested.

I'm not sure this little gal has a hidden meaning, because she is trying on her springtime crown, after having just put her winter crown on the shelf, along with those representing summer and autumn. The crowns depict the seasons, having been punched (using a Martha Stewart crown punch) from various paint chip samples. The shelf was also made from a paint chip sample.

I created the background using Twinkling H20's. I only wish you could see how they glisten. To take a bit of the brightness away from the background, I cut and dipped an old window screen into silver paint. The little girl is from Paper Whimsey, which, along with the background, was not recycled.

I apologize that I am not sure I nailed this one on the head this week. I seem to be better with concrete rather than esoteric challenges. But, Lisa and the rest of the IA team, I tried! And that, I believe, is what these challenges are all about.

22 thoughtful remarks:

Brian Kasstle said...

What a fun post! Sometimes all it takes is a little playing with a new "tool" or toy to get me going with ideas! I love this one!

Darla said...

I like the texture in this one, you are so good at getting those layers laid down. I had a hard time with the concept of this challenge too and like you only hope I finally got my head around it :-)

Darla

voodoo vixen said...

I love this, I think you nailed it, the crown is indeed a symbol as well as a material thing and your little girl looks so cute with her spring crown tipped so jauntily!!

Terrie said...

Like you, I do better with more concrete challenges and when they're this broad, I think any participation and interpretation is wonderful. I like the collage and the thought behind the various crowns. The screen is a genius touch and keeps it from being too sweet. Well done!

505whimsygirl said...

Oh, isn't she a sweetie pie! What a great card for the challenge.

Hugs,
Kay

Kat W said...

This is really pretty & I love the way you've created the beautiful textured background.

This piece stirs the storyteller in me...I see her as a young princess from the seasonal fairy court. For now she gets to try the different crowns as a playful symbol of her growing seasonal magic. But one day, when she takes the throne, she'll receive the real seasonal crowns and lead her people safely through each season. :-))

I think meaning is not just created by the artist but by those that view the art and bring their own interpretation. In that case you're offering us a wonderfully imaginative and beautiful piece of art for us to discover our own perceived meaning - which fulfills the challenge perfectly for me.

Kat :-) Xx

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I found this prompt very challenging, too. I think you did a wonderful job of creating an allegory of Spring--the butterfly wings add more imagery of Spring (which is what I used!).
I like the screen background--great imagination!

Barb King said...

I love this image, I use it all the time. It is perfect for this challenge, love the "changing of the crown" idea!

Cheryl said...

Ah thats so darn cute!! :-)

Netty said...

Beautiful page, x

Ariel said...

I love the way you played with this challenge. Isn't it great to think that we adorn each type of crown on each season? The colors of the crown are also so right.

WrightStuff said...

Allegorical or not, it's still darned cute!!

Unknown said...

I love this - such a cute story. One which my Bean would love.. she would also love a crown for all season too I suspect.

Anne Manda said...

I think it is a perfect allegory of spring, great job! Love the way you have combined different elements, modern and vintage, watercolor and photograph, so pretty!

Priti Lisa said...

Oh Elizabeth! It is a perfect representation!
I admire your ingenuity and creativity...
a crown for each season :)
Beautiful thought.
♥♥♥

gma said...

I love how you always consider and embed meaning into your process of making art. You met the challenge this week again!!!
:-)

Janine said...

I will make myself a springcrown too, but I will choose daísys ;0)

Lou Anne Hazel said...

Your crowns and the little girl make me think of Easter bonnets and fun celebrations in childhood.

Kelly Jeanette Swift said...

What a sweet little winged girl, all ready for Spring with her pretty crowns. Love her.

Kim Collister Studio said...

You pulled my heart strings with this one!
Perfectly beautiful submission!!!!!!!

XO
Kim

craftydvl said...

Very pretty, and it makes me think of a little girl with a big sister, who looks up to the sister when getting ready for prom! If she's a girly girl she'd love the flowers of springtime, dresses, and crowns. Lovely work!

Maggie said...

I love the whimsy in this!

I agree with Kat and love her ideas for a story arising from this collage. One of my favorite quotes is: "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." ~ Edgar Degas
And you have got everyone dreaming of the story behind the little girl and her crowns!