Tins, Daffodils and Fantails

 In New Zealand Spring is not officially here until September the 1st, but we are experiencing days that are slightly warmer and then we start to see all those fabulous Spring flowers! We are already seeing buckets of Daffodils for sale at florists and markets and honestly every year I always fall in love all over again with this elegant but modest flower! The sun may not be shining, but the glow of yellow and gold they emanate can not help but raise a smile and a sense of joy! So I have been buying loads for the shop mainly for display...but also just to inspire customers to get happy.
I have been inspired by the daffs to create a yellow and aqua window display. Starting with a retro tin that once upon a time used to store Cadburys drinking chocolate and then I found the absolutely perfect shade of Daffodil yellow lampshade. Then its the job of my very clever husband to up-cycle the components and make up a 'one off' lamp. I'm in love with it and I am feeling a little reluctant to sell it. I have called it 'The happy lamp'. Beside the lamp is a simple is a little ceramic house that covers a tea light and behind the lamp is a framed print of an art work I painted several years ago.

The title is written on the Artwork...A very Rare Fantail...sometimes it just feels right to include writing on an artwork. No rhyme or reason however the space seemed to dictate that a balance of text in white would work...moving right a long.... for those who don't know much about our native birds the Fantail is one the daintiest and cheerfully cheeky birds that are commonly found in bush throughout New Zealand and easily a favourite of mine. Our house backs onto the bush and every now then I get to enjoy a little display of Fantails flitting and doing aerial acrobatics. Not shy of humans they seem to be natural entertainers with a song that sounds like pips and squeaks. The captivating quality of this delightful bird is their tail which opens up into a fan.
Obviously the fanned tail doesn't look as opulent as the one I have painted ...my imagination just went on a little stretch of the truth and here is, indeed A very rare Fantail with its tail that's morphed into a real fan. The fan is embellished with native New Zealand flowers and blooms. Kowhai and Pohutukawa just to name a few. Once spring has settled and the cherry blossoms have almost finished the Kowhai tree suddenly erupts into a cascade of golden blooms like large droplets of glistening jewels. when they are in bloom another native bird the 'Tui' comes out to feed on its nectar...but wait... I am leading you into another artwork story...it's time isn't due just yet..for now the Daffodil rules my heart and imagination..I can feel a painting starting to emerge.