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Monday, July 27, 2009

Little Altars Everywhere

My Own Personal Jesus Shrine

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." Dalai Lama


Finally! My Internet has been down all day, and I wanted to get this posted first thing this morning for Mixed Media Monday's Charming Junk challenge. I was so inspired by this prompt last week that I haunted the flea markets nearby to find plenty of charming junk for this shrine. Then, I noticed that the new challenge at The Three Muses is about people who have inspired you, and Crazy Amigos has a free theme this week, so I was glad this post was a little delayed because my little altar will work for all three. Frankly, I cannot begin to articulate my own religious beliefs, but, as we say here in the South, I am a "praying woman." Although, as an adult, my spiritual beliefs have become somewhat more eclectic, as I've studied from the Buddhist and Hindu readings, I grew up going to Sunday school every week of my lfe and took muy own children, in turn. I do devoutly believe that one can never go wrong following the gentle, unselfish, humanitarian teachings of Jesus. This "Jesus is Just Alright With Me" shrine is about 7" X 13," and the base is an upside down wall bracket, which, along with the tin heart nut dish and cross, came from the aforementioned flea markets; the portrait came from a piece of packing tape, and the rose I hand-sculpted and painted last night. The red box is very special to me, as it was given to me by my dear friend Abby. Neither the box nor the rose is affixed to the shrine because I plan to change these pieces out seasonally, especially on Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, when I will decorate my little altar to honor someone beloved who has passed away. Below you can see more of the happy mess I made in the Art Attic today.

Table Art

Lately I just don't seem to want to be anywhere but here. School starts in a week and a half, and I want to make the most of my time in my sweet little room at the top of the house.

Desk

Here I'm surrounded by color and books and shelves and shelves of treasures. I can escape up to my Attic to paint all day in my nightie or just sit and dream to my heart's delight.

23 comments:

Cathy Spivey Mendola said...

Oh Yippy! I'm the first one to leave a comment. Your shrine is lovely.
The colors are perfect! and I also love your Sacred Heart Shrine in the previous post. You have such a neat, tidy art studio, it makes me want to come over and play.
Have a great week.
xoxo
cathy

Jean said...

I love your altar! You're inspiring me to make one myself out of an old wooden shelf that's sitting in my closet. I'll keep you posted! Keep up the inspiring creations!! :)

peggy gatto said...

A beautiful shrine!
And a wonderful space!
I could move in!!!!

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

Such a fine looking happy mess!!! AND your shrine is wonderful Alberta. I shall look forward to its transformation for Dia del Muertos!

Ozstuff said...

It's a fine old mess you have gotten me into, Olly! (Apologies to Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame). Great photo of your fine old mess.
Alberta, your altar is beautiful and will be the perfect inspirational offering at our Three Muses challenge.
Thanks for playing Billy Joel, one of my all time favourites. He is now considered "daggy" which is Ozspeak for old hat and not really acceptable. Well, I don't mind being a dag if it means enjoying Billy pouring his heart out. (Dag being the noun to go with the adjective).

Anonymous said...

What an amazing shrine, Alberta! Diane

My Creative House said...

Alberta your altar is wonderful love the red rose and the little box.

Kim Mailhot said...

beautiful, beautiful shrine !

Yay to heart's delight, nightie play in the attic !

indybev said...

What a lovely shrine, Alberta; and I enjoyed the peek into your arting space. It looks such a wonderfully creative place to be! (Your piece will be a great addition to our Inspiration challenge, by the way!)

Amy said...

Stunning artpiece!! I love your ART room..a fantastic escape.

Nettie Edwards said...

Beautiful colours on that shrine Alberta. I'm looking forward to seeing how it changes with the seasons. I am deeply envious of your beautiful attic studio, but you deserve it! I left an award for you on my blog the other day but i don't think you've picked it up yet:

http://lumilyon.blogspot.com/2009/07/come-into-garden-maud.html

Lots of love and hugs, Lumi x

Melisa said...

Love the name you gave your shrine! Very cool junk project. And I love your attic room. I'd want to stay up there all the time, too.

Ozstuff said...

Congratulations to you, Alberta, for being first cab off the rank at the Three Muses. I have commented before on your beautiful altar but I just wanted to say thankyou for joining in the challenge with such a beautiful piece of artwork.

Terri Kahrs said...

Alberta, your alter is fabulous! Wow, I can't believe you met three challenges! Quite an accomplishment and each challenge is lucky to have your gorgeous piece! Hugs, Terri xoxo

PS - Love your art space too!

Rosanna said...

Who better to illustrate inspirational people? Beautiful, thoughtful work.

Lori Saul said...

Beautiful shrine and what a lovely peak at your wonderful art work space- fantastic!!

Taluula said...

Alberta, your alter is amazing and I'm so in awe of how you made it, and who better for inspiration. I'm totally envious of your creating space too. I WANT a space like that! Tee hee

Heather Robinson said...

Pretty inspirational person indeed! Fantastically creative piece. You just enjoy every minute of your freedom. I know how it feels to just want to take up residence in your art room. Yours is particularly gorgeous! Bravo on a fantastic piece.

Martina said...

This is incredible, Alberta ! I love everything about it.

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

What a beautiful altar and your studio...love the colors and it's in the attic...how perfect! I will be back often...LOvely blog and thank you for sharing. Have a great week!
Cheers

Yvonne said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous alter!

Psst, you have guessed my mystery man, it is Elvis.

Luisa Migon said...

FANTASTIC!!!

(Oh, Alberta... I don't know why always has a link to my last post here... Probably, some day I clicked on the wrong link... Sorry...)

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