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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Stories Shared With Good Company; or, Fleur De Lis for Erin

I’m expecting company today.

Not literal, hide-the–piles-of-junk-mail-and-baskets-of-towels-in-need-of-folding company, but hopefully a steady stream of virtual visitors who won’t really care if ivacuumed the ehouse and just might get comfortable here at my online digs and become Regulars.

If you popped on over from Erin's place today, you already know me as Cynthia, the artist, of fleur de lis fame. But, like any good story, there’s another side.

See, I’m Cynthia @ Running With Letters because that’s what I do—I run around all day, every day with ideas, and stories, and images , some more dangerous than the pair of blades with handles we’re all smart enough to stash while trotting.

For years, I’ve labored under the delusion that my artsy exterior was quite possibly a malevolent entity bent on suffocating my inner writer--the me who thrives on the words that pour from my heart like lifeblood. But I’ve come to realize that art is actually part of my story; that it’s just another facet of the creative process I’m wired to love.

I recently chose to unite these two not-so-divergent aspects of my persona by inventing “ARTicles,” a merger of creative forces which debuted on a business card as a sort of announcement of the handful of things I’m able to do in life. I basically came up with the idea and watched, curiously, to see what would transpire.

One of the first things that happened was that I got an Assignment that reminded me a whole lot of my days writing feature stories for the newspaper, even though it didn’t call on me to type a single word.


When Erin first asked me to design a fleur de lis, I barely knew what one was. From the outset, she told me how much the symbol meant to her—and when she explained its ties to New Orleans, I immediately understood—as a long time follower of Erin’s blog, I know how closely she holds new Orleans to her heart. I knew I had to get her fleur de lis right—and that’s when the reporter kicked in.

I wasn’t content to just learn the lines required to make a template. I wanted to know a little bit about what I was making. I took an online crash course on of the symbol’s rich political and history, and was surprised to discover that the symbol is not singularly French—my own Italian heritage intersects with the fleur de lis through the symbol’s connection to Florence, Venice, and Rome.

I had already discussed colors with Erin, and while her tile was firing in the kiln, I researched the many ways the image has been interpreted and stylized by other artists. I was amazed by the many variations of the fleur de lis and found several to which I was partial—but, like any good reporter, I went straight to my source to learn which incarnation of the symbol best captured the intended spirit and meaning for Erin.



By the time I was actually constructing the piece, I was wrapped in the story in a way not unlike my days as a features writer as I experienced—in a slightly different form—those fleeting moments when someone else’s story temporarily becomes part of my own. When communicating the dreams, ideas, or passions of another person becomes my focus and my challenge. As was so often the case when I told such stories in print, I found myself adopting some of Erin’s enthusiasm—a little jolt of interest every time—and there are now many—that I notice her signature symbol in my personal travels.


By the time I packaged Erin’s finished work, I, too, felt invested in the image, although I still no expert, as I discovered when my son found me wrapping the fleur de lis for shipment.

“Wow, it’s the symbol from the saint’s helmet,” he said.

“Oh. I guess it is, Buddy,” I answered, realizing that, indeed, it is—that, and so much more.

Thanks, Erin, for trusting me to tell your story—first in art, and now in words. I’ve loved doing both.

Thanks also to you, Reader, for sticking with me—because a story, in images or words, only exists when there’s someone with which to share it. If you have a story of your own that you'd like me to interpret on a custom piece of artwork, I'm a comment or email away--let's talk :)

I hope you’ll consider hanging out with me through many more stories—of both the visual and literary kind. If so, I’d love to have you as a follower. That way, I can visit your blog and enjoy your stories, too.

10 comments:

twelvedaysold said...

The fleur de lis you made The Mother Load turned out beautifully! You make some gorgeous work.

Keep it up!

Macey said...

That is GORGEOUS!!!! You are so talented! :)

Liz Mays said...

I fell in love with your artwork from the second I saw that first piece - that seahorse. I can't believe how much time and effort went into your creation of it. You are amazing, Cynthia.

Kir said...

Here from Erin at the Motherload, OMG you are soooo talented!!!!

I love this and I just adore that seahorse, my boys room is all nautical and I WANT IT

just beautiful , beautiful artwork!

do you mind if I add you to my blogroll?

Mixed Reflections said...

Love your blog & your beautiful art. Can't wait to see the gorgeous seahorse creations in their final state! The other week I visited the behind the scenes areas of local Mote Marine Aquarium and got to enjoy the aquariums full of seahorses--so fascinating to watch! They are also monogamous...I never knew.

Unknown said...

I am so mad at Blogger for eating comments and not allowing people to leave comments. I with they'd get it working!

I love your post and reading about your process. Beautifully described, impeccably written, and I'm so honored to have a piece of your original art! We just have to figure out the perfect place for it!

Thank you again for doing this for me....
;-)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!

Cassie said...

What a terrific fleur de lis. Besides being an ancient symbol of the cross, it is also a part of my daughter and son-in-law's last name: Fleurish! They use the fleur de lis as their symbol. (I also was known for playing Beethoven's Fleur de Lis on the piano all the time!!)

Holly Lefevre said...

The fleur de lis is a favorite around here...I saw this on Erin;s blog...but I am slow these days. It is gorgeous and what a wonderful send off it had!

Tracie said...

I love the piece you made for Erin!

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