Sunday 29 November 2009

The Longest Unfinished Project Ever??

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This week's theme for the Inspiration Avenue team's challenge was "French". Now before I go on, I have a confession to make! The challenge is to create something new for the theme. The above drawing is - well - not entirely new. I was last minute with my challenge piece as usual when I suddenly remembered this - I mean Marie Antoinette, how French can you get? So I spent this afternoon finishing it, but - I'll own up now - I started this drawing in ... 1989 (yes, really, the year is pencilled in on the back)!! I used to do a lot of pencil and coloured pencil work long before I really got into painting (and I discovered today that I still find that medium almost hypnotically relaxing). I actually started this drawing for my late mum all those years ago (she would have described this as "proper art"!) so for sentimental reasons this one isn't for sale. Which is a shame really, as I would have been able to list it on etsy as handmade AND vintage!

17 comments:

  1. This is wonderful, really glad you chose to post it!

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  2. Gorgeous! Some pieces take a little longer than others to complete :)

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  3. that's such an awesome story to go with a gorgeous picture!

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  4. Don't you love the feeling you get when you finish a forgotten piece?
    I love the shading...it's just perfect! Now frame it and get it on a wall!
    xox, Lisa

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  5. so do you have that great sense of accomplishment??? i love her. i have an unfinished cross stitch project in a box under my bed from 1992. it was my first project & a HUGE tapestry. i discovered lack of patience 1/2 way through... oh well, you inspired me to take another look. maybe i'll cut it smaller! lol!

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  6. Wow a wonderful drawing! And definitely a proper piece of art. You captured Maire so well. I'm so glad you finished it after all these years and that you shared it with us too.

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  7. Thanks everyone!
    LuLu I actually thought of you whilst I was doing it - Marie is very "you"!
    Pat yes it feels great to have her finished at last - now you get that cross stitch out! ;)

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  8. wow so glad you finished it.. perfect timing and the colrs are awesome

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  9. You are truly talented! Lucky there was the French inspiration theme for you to bring it back out again! Wonderful wonderful wonderful. Thanks for dropping by my blog!

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  10. That's a wonderful story and a great idea... This teaches us that it always pays to hang onto everything because you never know when... I'm sure her royal highness will be overjoyed to be complete once again!!

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  11. I love the drawing and the story behind it too! Great submission for "French"!

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  12. Thanks so much everyone for all your lovely comments!
    Lisa I'm terrible for hanging onto old artwork - can't bear to throw things away, though perversely I have little hesitation in cutting it up to use in other work!

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  13. OMG, this drawing is FANTASTIC!!! I looooove it! Simply stunning!
    I have an award for you on my blog!
    Lots of love, Sanda xx

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  14. Oh Angie this is wonderful and I think it totally counts even though you began it so long ago - just beautiful!!

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  15. I wanted to let you know there's an award for you at my blog.♥

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  16. Sanda and Sharon thank you both for your compliments and awards too! How lovely of you both! x

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