Water Colour Series
This project was completely self-led and self- indulgent; it began with a dream and ended with a poem; I dreamt of a strange mushroom-banyan tree in the middle of a desert. Within the hollow bark of the tree was a secret bar called, ‘The Grove of the mushroom’. A tiny mushroom headed creature sat at a desk right by the entrance and asked for our names and our purpose and then we were led inside. The place was crowded with these creatures and beyond the pub was a forest bustling with activities and dotted with their houses. The dream extends beyond this, but these two scenes were what lingered in my mind when I awoke.
This series would have probably ended with two quick sketches, however soon after, still stuck within that strange universe, on a comfortable evening while listening to music I wrote a poem about a little girl in a magical forest. I often write poems about this or that, but for once, I felt compelled by the imagery to create a little series of water colour paintings to go along with it.
" TO APOLOGIZE LET ME HELP YOUR QUEST SUCCEED" "I...I was searching for the sparkle" she said at last
" But every time I spot it, it vanishes so fast"
"WELL THEN FRIEND YOU'RE IN LUCK " said he
"FROM THIS HEIGHT THERES NOTHING I CANNOT SEE"
and so together they walked in search of the light
Until a faint glimmer caught her sight
"There" she exclaimed "I saw it over there"
So by the river the giant let her down with care With a bow and a wave she ran right ahead
And eagerly peered down at the river bed
Where she was greeted by a face that wasn't her own
With incandescent hair and opal eyes that shone
"Hello" they said " why are you wandering all alone ?"
"I'm in search of a light" came her forlone tone
"Was it bright and fast with a multicolour glow!!"
" Exactly !! Have you seen it before?"
" It went into the cave" they said flicking their fin
"It hasn't come out yet so it must still be in"
Excitedly the girl jumped up in glee
Thanking it profusely before leaving in a hurry
she trekked onwards into the unknown night
Past goblin houses and busy sprites
Until she reached the entrance of the cave
" It's alright" "calm down" " it'll be okay"
Mustering her courage she slowly stepped inside "Hello girl I see you followed your guide"
Awestruck the girl was lost for words Staring intently at the lady that had just emerged
"I'm the lady of the land" she spoke at last
"I look after all creatures here including you" she laughed "I'm sorry I didn't know that this land had a throne"
All at once the sparkle shone bright again And unaware she stumbled Into the dragons Den "Who dares disrupt me" a gruff voice growled
"Oh! A little girl" it huffed as around her it prowled
Trembling in fear she whispered an earnest plea
"Don't eat me please and I'll go back to my tree"
"Hahaha eat you!" It shouted in mirth
"Dear girl you're the last thing I'd eat on this earth"
" Worry not and tell me what is it you seek ?"
"Don't stand there looking all confused and meek"
" I was following the sparkle" the girl confessed
"Without finding it I don't think I could rest"
" Run along then girl don't waste your time" And so off she scampered in search of the shine
Past climbers and shrubs she ambled ahead
Until something bumped against her head
A branch? An animal? Confused she wondered
Until "WHOS THERE?" a deep voice thundered
Frozen in fear she glanced to her sides
"UP HERE GIRL" the voice supplied
And so, slowly she lifted her eyes to the sky
And struck by fear she began to cry
For standing there was the tallest creature she'd ever seen
Resembling a tree, it stood there long and lean
But before she could escape
She was lifted on a hand
She screamed "put me down, put me back on the land"
"SORRY" it said "I COULD NOT HEAR YOU FROM DOWN THERE"
"I’M SORRY I HAD NO INTENTION TO SCARE"
"Oh?" Relieved she wiped her tears away
Still shaken she didn't quite know what to say "LET ME AID YOU, FRIEND, IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED"
In a land long forgotten
When time was still new
There lived a young girl
Only known by few
she lived her life hidden
Behind the vines of her tree
Too scared of how the world
Outside would be
For her grandmother had warned her
Of the spirits of the night
"Inside the tree" she had said
"Everything will be alright "
So the child quite and obedient
Heeded her advice
And hidden she remained
To the forests eyes
But despite her brave front
She was still a young girl
Too naive and impulsive
For the large and scary world
That evening while preparing
Her lonely self a meal
A sparkle caught her eye
Just past the trees seal Bright colours erupted
Against the black grass
And despite knowing better
Her self restraint couldn't last
And so carefully she stepped
Past the threshold of her tree
And into the dark she wandered
Beyond where the eyes could see
Byond the Threshold
"I'm sorry I promise I would have left had I known"
The lady stepped forward and hugged the young child
"This is your home girl it's where you will always reside"
"Your grandmother and I were friends once upon a time"
"But we got into a squabble and so I banished her from my sight"
"For years I lay awake regetting my harsh words"
"Waking every morning with the memory of her tears"
"And so when I saw you I simply could no longer hold back"
"I had to approach you and make up for the past"
"This forest is your home" she smiled gazing into the girls eyes
"All its creatures your friends so please don't try to hide
The girl beamed in joy as the lady gently kissed her brow
And the both of them were enveloped in the sparkles warm rainbow glow
From that day onwards the girl lived her life happy and free
No longer hidden behind the vines of her tree
She'd greet the forest fairies and dance with the nymphs
Sing with the mermaids their soft pretty hymns
She finally found a home in the forests loving embrace
within the magical forest she knew now, she'd always have a place
Made using water colour paint on paper and edited and enhanced on procreate