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Monday, August 31, 2009

Faery's Child

La Belle Dame Sans Merci

Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,
Alone and palely loitering?
The sedge is wither'd from the lake,
And no birds sing.

Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight,
So haggard and so woe-begone?
The squirrel's granary is full,
And the harvest's done.

I see a lily on thy brow,
With anguish moist and fever dew;
And on thy cheek a fading rose
Fast withereth too.

I med a lady in the meads
Full beautiful, a faery's child;
Her hair was long, her foot was light,
And her eyes were wild.

I set her on my pacing steed,
And nothing else saw all day long;
For sideways would she lean, and sing
A faery's song.

I made a garland for her head,
And bracelets too, and fragrant zone;
She look'd at me as she did love,
And made sweet moan.

She found me roots of relish sweet,
And honey wild, and manna dew;
And sure in language strange she said,
'I love thee true.'

She took me to her elfin grot,
And there she gazed, and sighed deep,
And there I shut her wild, wild eyes--
So kiss'd to sleep.

And there we slumber'd on the moss,
And there I dream'd, ah! woe betide!
The latest dream I ever dream'd
On the cold hill side.

I saw pale kings, and princes too,
Pale warriors, death-pale were they all;
Who cry'd -- 'La Belle Dame sans Merci,
Hath thee in thrall!'

I saw their starved lips in the gloam,
With horrid warning gapèd wide,
And I awoke, and found me here
On the cold hill side.

And this is why I sojourn here
Alone and palely loitering,
Though the sedge is wither'd from the lake,
And no birds sing.


La Belle Dame Sans Merci, John Keats

This journal page is a 10" x 12" collage using a photograph from Vogue, anemones from a Springhill Nursery catalog, and roses from The Avalon Rose Collection All images were hand cut and colored with acrylic paint, inks, and Prismacolor pencils. The background is Arches coldpress watercolor paper which has also been painted and stamped with watercolor and acrylic paint, colored pencils, pastels and inks. (for Creative Therapy) and Wednesday Stamper.

23 comments:

Giggles said...

Wild and wonderful I love it!!!

Sandy said...

Wow this is amazing.
Wonderful and colorful. Brilliant.

Nettie Edwards said...

Alberta, I LOVE LOVE LOVE these colours and how you have made the figure almost part of the background, so that the decorative elements are the focus. Very brave - I love it!

Kim Mailhot said...

This piece is awesome, lovely Alberta ! I love the colors and how your figure almost looks like she is emerging from the background.Cool !

Lisa said...

Really awesome! Hey, I sent the cat out a week ago. I hope it gets to you soon.

Lori Saul said...

Such beautiful colors and images to wake to this morning Alberta- a lush creation with the poem and beautiful music on your blog to accompany- I'm floating!

indybev said...

The words luxuriant, rich, and opulent come to mind. Not to mention stupendous, fabulous and superb. Can you tell I like it?

*jean* said...

ooooo cooool!!! madame absinthe...maybe...love the green, reds and purples....awesom!!

Ozstuff said...

Alberta, your painting is superb and glorious and the wonderful "Belle Dame sans merci" is a reminder to us not to forget that poetry nourishes the soul and yet too many of us are too busy or have merely forgotten to enjoy it on a regular basis.
Thankyou so much for giving us a nudge!!

Sacred Yoli said...

Oooooooh, your Arte is so lively and colorful. So inspiring.

Salute,

Yoli

Femmy said...

absolutely stunning work !!! love it!!!

~*~Magpie's Nest said...

what magic you've spun with magazine images and gorgeous colors Alberta! the poem is fantastic too, so moody = Love it!!!

johanna said...

it is fantastic!! love the intensity of the colors.

Faye said...

Such a vibrant and gorgeous piece, alberta.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic!

Marit said...

WOW! The poem is a bit hard for me to understand (as English isn't my mother language) but I sure like the rithem of it and of course the Art Journal page!

Amy said...

This is truelly amazing..a real masterpiece!!! I love it..it is so tranquil yet majestic

Taluula said...

Such beautiful imagery and vibrant colours Alberta, this is truly stunning and that poem sends shivers down my spine. Standing Ovation my friend.

Michele said...

Omy gosh! Dosn't she just glow right off my computer screen! Stunning work, and lovely colors!

Lena said...

Simply adorable! I wish I could paint like that. Love the strong colors...

Barbara Hagerty said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! Beautiful beyond words!!

Janny said...

Gorgeous!

Staci Danford said...

It's just incredible.. Your use of color is absolutley over the top awesome.. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
Staci