". . . a brush with nature"

I recently read that the definition of ephemera is “things that exist, are used or enjoyed for only a short period of time.” Most common examples used to be papers, letters and other printed items such as ticket stubs, newspapers, postcards, posters, stickers, greeting cards and the like.

But now, with the onset of our more advanced technology, even text messages bouncing back and forth between our phones have become ephemera.    

Definitions go on to explain that ephemera was never meant to hold any significance, but I don’t think that is true. Memorabilia refers to items that are collected and kept as keepsakes due to their association with a particular event, person, or historical moment. I might argue that ephemera and memorabilia can become, and often do become, one and the same. The lines drawn between the two are easily blurred depending upon who is looking at them. Items once defined as simply ephemera often become memorabilia and then someone’s treasured keepsake.

Which brings me to the inspiration of this painting. As has been his custom throughout our marriage, my wonderful husband brings me a bouquet at least a couple of times a month . . . sometimes more. I absolutely LOVE the bouquets and both of us greatly enjoy having flowers in our home. Although we enjoy their beauty every day, they never seem to last long enough.

Then, I had a dream about a lovely moth flying above one particular bouquet of roses we had in our bedroom. I believe the dream was inspired by a Luna Moth, but I am not absolutely certain of that. After all, it was a fantasy . . . it was a dream. 

Luna moths are not rare, but are rarely seen due to their very brief (7–10 day) adult life span and mostly nocturnal flying time. They can be seen in mornings however, so perhaps that is why I “saw” my dream moth flying above the roses. Although neither the moth or the roses are a subject that I often (if ever) paint, I had to paint this particular painting at this time.

Both the bouquet of roses and the moth of my inspiration existed only for a short while. BUT they both were important and held significance. They were a dream, a treasured keepsake for a time and then became a cherished memory for a lifetime.

This small pastel brought to mind a quote by Mary Kay Ash - "A good goal is like a strenuous exercise - it makes you stretch." 

I think I “took” to art like a duck takes to water. I loved creating art from a very early age. I loved drawing everything, but most especially animals, from the very start.  I find that many of the “duck” expressions we use in our everyday life really fit me to a “T” . . . plus, I LOVE painting ducks and other waterfowl!

I consider myself quite a “lucky duck” to be able to be a professional artist. It is great to be able to work at something you are passionate about each and every day. I love the creation of my art, but the thought process leading up to the actual painting or drawing is often just as exciting.  The painting is brought to life over and over again in my mind’s eye as I design and refine my vision before ever placing pastel or paint on paper or canvas.

Many people may consider me somewhat of an “odd duck”. That doesn’t bother me at all. Many artists are considered eccentric and I am proud to be among them. Eccentricity may be what allows us to think out of the box and bring our art to life.

This next expression may go against the flow of what is considered the “norm” for the free thinking artist type, but I certainly do like to have my “ducks in a row”. I love to have my act together, to be organized, to know where things are, to know what is happening tomorrow. I do enjoy spontaneity in some aspects of my life, but in many instances I am very organized and structured. I believe that comes from owning and running a small business in my previous, “before full-time artist” life. It may be somewhat of a contradiction, but perhaps it wraps back to the “odd duck” in me again.

If anyone were to ask me how my artist’s life is right now I would have to reply, “It is ‘just ducky!’ “ Of course that means everything is very well with me . . . and it is!

I hope you enjoy this selection of duck paintings . . . and one that isn’t a duck at all . . . the Grebe!