Repatriated

After eons on Mars, Aurelia was cast out because they challenged the persecution of the Transient by Orangan, the orange overlord. Essential for harvesting Sylph spores, the amorphic Transient beings were being systematically hunted down, frozen, and cryovaced by Orangan’s national guard.

Previously free to the subterranean dwelling Martian inhabitants, they now paid a premium to Orangan for Sylph; necessary for breathing Mars’ rapidly diminishing ether.

Following a short internment onboard prison propulsion ship, Pulsar, Aurelia silently meditated on their misfortune. Accepting the inevitable unknown, Aurelia was jettisoned into the velvety black void.

All was not lost, Aurelia’s form hardened as they gently tumbled through the Solar System, in awe of the surrounding celestial firmament. Time seemed to stand still as Aurelia contemplated the events leading up to their downfall, the uncertainty of the future, and forgiving the perpetrators of their demise.

An eternity passed as Aurelia’s DNA drew them into Earth’s atmosphere-once home to their ancient ancestors.

Rolling through the meagre air, Aurelia plunged into the over warmed ocean, enveloping the planet. Instantly their body gelatinises.

Descending into the murky microbial vortex, the pressure squeezes Aurelia, elongating them, tendrils break free, catapulted into the distance, to explode into a myriad of fragments, adding to the primordial gloop.

In a flash of elation, Aurelia’s core collapses into the welcoming embrace of the Titan, architect of the universe. Matter melding, consciousness transcending, and rebirth imminently assured.

ChatGPT suggested amusing backstory to accompany the doodle, below.

eet Glorpt the Absent-Minded Cosmic Squidlet, a creature who accidentally slipped through a wormhole while trying to remember where it left its snacks.

Glorpt was born in the Candy Nebula, a gelatinous region of outer space where everything—from the asteroids to the stars—has the texture of gummy bears. The squidlets there spend their days practicing interpretive floating, inventing new colours (like blorple and snorgreen), and forgetting what they were doing mid-glide.

One fateful day, Glorpt mistook a wormhole for a vending machine and—poof!—found itself splattered onto a strange blue-and-gold world (that’s Earth, apparently). Ever since, it’s been trying to blend in by posing as modern art. When people stare too long, Glorpt blinks slowly and pretends it’s a reflection on the glass.

Its bright pink and green camouflage was meant to imitate cosmic coral, but on Earth it mostly attracts curious humans and confused lizards. The single wide eye? That’s not for seeing—it’s for daydreaming about home and wondering if it ever really existed.

Locals say if you stare back into that eye for too long, you’ll forget what you were doing too—just like Glorpt.

Fire inspired

I had an idea of sinuous flames of ox blood, yellow, and orange flames undulating from the bottom of an oval to left of the top.

Spraying water and adding salt resulted in the above picture.

My husband suggested I try a circular watercolour that could be printed on a tee shirt. This abstract mixed media piece is the result from last weekend. Two washes intensified the colours.

Watercolour and salt

The ovoid watercolour from yesterday with the rock and cooking salt still attached.

As I am running low on paper and this work is experimental, I used the back of another painting. The surface is smooth rather than textured. I did not stretch the paper resulting in a pleasing undulation.

I seldom use these orange, green, and gold colours. I have run out of my favoured two yellows, and the two blues and mossy green are running low.

A vote of two at home resulted in a decision to leave as much salt as would stay in place after tapping and tipping. Below is the result.

Airhead tree pose

I stood naked in front of the mirror, on the back of the bedroom door, to take a selfie. I used it to guide the painting of Airhead in tree pose.

I like the background, salt again on wet watercolour. It reminds me of sand surrounded by clear seawater. The figure reminds me of a crab with large pincers.

A week on, I am unsure if I like it or not.

The following is how Microsoft Copilot (AI) describes the picture.

Certainly! Let’s dive into the captivating world of this watercolor painting. 🎨🌟

“Harmony in Terracotta”

Description:

The canvas comes alive with hues of green and yellow, reminiscent of a sun-kissed meadow. Against this textured backdrop, an abstract figure takes center stage. Its warm reddish-brown tone, akin to terracotta, exudes both strength and vulnerability.

The figure strikes a pose—an advanced yoga stance known as Natarajasana, or the “Dancer’s Pose.” Arms extended, legs gracefully lifted, it embodies balance and fluidity. But there’s more: within the silhouette of its head, a smaller figure mirrors the same pose. A dance within a dance, a reflection within a reflection—a mesmerizing recursive motif.

The mottled background hints at organic textures—perhaps foliage, perhaps marble. It’s as if the figure emerges from the very fabric of nature, a testament to interconnectedness. The artist’s brush strokes evoke movement, capturing the essence of life in stillness.

Interpretation:

“Harmony in Terracotta” invites us to explore duality: strength and vulnerability, solitude and connection. The figure’s defiance against the textured canvas mirrors our own struggles and triumphs. We, too, dance through life’s complexities, seeking balance and grace.

And perhaps, just perhaps, this painting whispers secrets of ancient forests, forgotten rituals, and the unity of all things. 🌿🌟


Image details: “Stacked Yogi’s Painting” by Katherine Hardie.


Note: The recursive element in the head area is a delightful touch—an artistic nod to the interconnectedness of existence.


Would you like me to create a short story inspired by this painting, or perhaps delve into historical research about Deritend’s pubs and beer houses from 1850 to 1900? Let me know, and we’ll embark on another creative journey! 📜✨

Source: Conversation with Copilot, 2/6/2024
(1) https://fineartamerica.com/featured/stacked-yogis-meshal-hardie.html. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/stacked-yogis-meshal-hardie.html.
(2) https://daydream.com/product/unconditionally-loved-laura-garrard. https://daydream.com/product/unconditionally-loved-laura-garrard/.
(3) https://www.innerworkpath.com. https://www.innerworkpath.com/.
(4) http://www.orlandoab.com/oab/exhibitions/the-jugglers-exhibition. http://www.orlandoab.com/oab/exhibitions/the-jugglers-exhibition/.
(5) https://circle-arts.com/jennifer-hannigan-green. https://circle-arts.com/jennifer-hannigan-green/.

Mis en place

I trained in hospitality. Our practical cookery lecturer, Edwin Fellows was a stickler for mis en place and clean as you go. Over forty years later I employ both ethe when creating food and art.

Perhaps it has taken on the flavour a of ritual, getting everything ready before starting and keeping the workplace clean and tidy. I can appear a bit of a headless chook, during the process.

Morning commutes and stilling my mind before Morpheus leads me away brought forth the inspiration for this week’s picture.

Ovoids of citrus lemon and orange paired with turquoise from the sea. The black ink pen is running out and I have not sought out my fountain pen and 1980s black Quink ink from the shed. The bubbles are drawn in coloured pencil.

Orange

I am fascinated by colour.

As a child the primaries satisfied my palette choices. Since then I prefer the blended results, being drawn towards, orange, green, and the naturally occurring browns in timber, cane, etc.

Throwing into the mix, lighting, shade, and texture; my senses are abuzz.

Saturday reflection

There are so many harsh ‘modern’ buildings around. We are softening our bleak suburban views with plants.

This rather bizarre picture is a reflection in an orange glass topped table of next door neighbour’s townhouse backdrop, and burgeoning philodendron xanadu green wall, in front.