Painting of a Teacup

My previous posts this month have been about creating a warm cozy home environment in which to nestle for these frigid winter months.  With all of that sorting, purging and beautifying done my focus has wandered back to the easel.

I've just finished a 36" x 36" painting of a teacup.  The use of a simple subject allowed me to employ texture, collage and to play around with the background without the painting becoming too busy or fussy.  Setting the cup off kilter lends an unexpected and playful element to an otherwise very traditional still life subject.

Painting of a Teacup
36" x 36" Mixed Media
Sandra King-Allikas

The inside of the cup is covered in collage (A special thank you to Stella for amply supplying me with collage material!).   

Detail - Painting of a Teacup
Bird motif and its reflection
Sandra King-Allikas

During the painting process I noticed a motif of a bird had quite accidentally appeared on the upper right hand side sitting on the saucer (you may have to use your imagination), then I noticed a small dark reflection of the bird on the saucer just below it.  That's weird, I thought.  Later, as I was working on the collaged area at the upper left,  I notice another bird motif (see the light coloured square and how the space between the collage creates a geometric shaped bird facing left?).  It's interesting how our subconscious works.  My painting mentor didn't hesitate when I pointed them out to her...."Freedom", she said, "Birds represent the concept of freedom and what your subconscious is dealing with will float (or should I say fly?) to the surface of your paintings."

Detail - Painting of a Teacup
Bird motif in collage
Sandra King-Allikas



Freedom.  I have been pondering the concept of freedom; the word appears on the pages of my journal, in my prayers and in my conversations.  I am realizing more and more that I have so much freedom, much more than I ever believed; it was only the constraints of old belief systems, the expectations of others and self-imposed limits that ever clipped my wings.  What a wonderful feeling, freedom... now that is my cup of tea!

Thank you for visiting My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you be truly free today,

Sandra