Are You A Work in Progress?

“There is a distinct kind of Magic in the iridescence of a Dragonfly’s wing.”

The Dog Days of Summer are already here. I can’t help but feel as the mercurial sizzling days slip through our fingers it is a gentle reminder to be mindful and savor every moment.

A few months ago I created a prayer flag inspired by the new Artistcellar Tibet Series Stencils. As luck would have it I purchased enough chiffon to make four flags. This is the second in my series and I decided to feature the Lotus.

Once again I began by spraying a light coat of repositionable adhesive to a large piece of cardboard. I rested the chiffon with as few wrinkles as I could manage to the sticky surface. I was then ready to start stenciling. Keeping the colours to shades of pink and cream I wanted my lotus to embody the qualities of devotion and purity.

To me the Dragonfly is not only a perfect match for the Lotus, but symbolises the exquisiteness of the season. I have loved Dragonflies endlessly. Not only are they a wonder to witness in the air, but my thoughts drift back to peaceful childhood summer mornings spent at a local creek with a friend.

Dragonflies represent transformation. They guide our spiritual and emotional quest of self-realisation. To see a dragonfly in flight is to grasp the magical possibilities of freedom. But to be truly free, we need to accept our unique selves. And I suppose that makes us all works in progress.

The Artistcellar stencils provide a great array of options. I selected the Petite Pods from the Playful Pods series to add to the flag. The image was perfect and continued the theme. I have long been fascinated by the iridescent colour released from dragonfly wings. So inspired I completed the design with dots of glimmering acrylics. It now flies next to the Buddha Eyes flag on the pergola.

Artistcellar stencils are inspirational. I am always discovering something new when I begin to work. The images allow me to explore and express my creativity. They encourage me to design with the same freedom we feel when seeing the shimmering flight of a dragonfly. By permitting my creativity to unfold my desire is to delve deeper, discover my unique self, always knowing I will forever be a work in progress.

MATERIALS USED:

• ARTISTCELLAR: TIBET SERIES STENCIL (Lotus)
• ARTISTCELLAR HALFTONE DOTS (Highlight, Midtone, Midtone 2, Shadow)
• ARTISTCELLAR TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SERIES (Dragonfly, Cherry Blossom)
• CHRIS COZEN PLAYFUL PODS (Petite Pods)
• HAND CUT STENCIL: Diamonds
• PUNCHINELLA
• CHIFFON FABRIC – White
• BEST TEST REPOSITIONAL ADHESIVE
• CARDBOARD
• PLAID ACRYLICS: Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Blue Pearl, Pure Orange, Perfect Purple. Violet Pansy, Sunflower, Metallic Rose, Bright Red, Aquamarine, Royal Gold, Plum
• DECOART: Splendid Gold
• DINA WAKLEY: Lime
• ACE NYLON TWINE
• DARICE CRAFTWOOD BALL & DOWEL