Rumpelstiltskin: Getting Through “Life Stuff” One Straw At A Time
Sometimes the day-to-day “life stuff” has a way of piling up on us. Just when you think you may have things under control, something may get unexpectedly tossed your way, throwing you off balance. Lately, I’ve been feeling the need to get the monkeys off my back. These kinds of inconveniences can inflate into something overwhelming; i.e.: the breakdown of durable goods such as car or appliances (3 of my appliances died in the last 5 months), those endless bills, looming deadlines, tax time and of course the anxieties associated with an erratic economy and persisting fears of job loss. I know there are people who are enduring incredible hardship right now and I feel nothing but compassion for their plights. I feel other people’s stresses and can see their worried countenances everywhere I go.
Rumpelstiltskin Rough Sketch
How are you handling these challenging times? Personally, I try to focus on simplicity to help balance the complexity of modern life. I keep my tech acquisitions at a minimum –no laptop, no blackberry — content with a hand-me-down TV and aging cars. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, try to appreciate my family more, read more books and more letters and take my studio activities one day at a time. I try not to think about what I don’t have but rather all that I am blessed with. I have wishes, dreams and ambitions, …but as I get older they’re becoming modified. The only thing certain is the moment. I no longer think about the next train station. Rather, I’m happy with the one I’m at.
Simplicity helps me to deal with aspects of life that are unavoidably complicated and complication is everywhere! When burdens start to pollute my positive thinking, I find the best thing to do is let go and just be satisfied with knowing I’m doing the best I can. I’m not going to make the situation better by obsessing about those things I can’t control, but I can take pause, breathe and slowly tackle those dreaded items that need tending to without relinquishing a sense of well being.
Rumpelstiltskin Drawing
In the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, a poor miller made the fallacious claim that his daughter could spin straw into gold. When the King heard of her unique talents, he ordered her to his castle and commanded her to spin straw into gold or else she would die. The poor miller’s daughter was locked in a chamber piled high with straw not knowing what to do. Not knowing what to do until Rumpelstiltskin comes along that is.
Rumpelstiltskin Final Watercolor Painting
This card suggests that you feel smothered and weighed down–as though you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders with very little relief in sight. Be open to assistance and try to determine what you need to do to live in a more balanced manner.
From time to time, we may feel very “10 of Wands” — a card that suggests heavy burdens. Rather than being crushed under the heaviness of what we perceive as insurmountable trials and tribulations, sometimes we just need to take a breath, gather perspective and think of all the good things that are, before getting back to those aspects of life that present challenges.
~Lisa
10 of Wands is such a hard card for me. And this tale? I got so mad at her father for throwing her under that bus. I know it all worked out in the end, but sheesh! I love the idea of simplicity as well. I’ve been celebrating that in my life lately.
I love the earliest sketch. The movement is so interesting to me. Was that going to be a spider’s web in the top left corner?
Hi Juan:
How nice to hear from you! One reason why I post the “raw” sketches (and at first, I was hesitant to do so) is to make people realize that the final paintings don’t just magically appear. There is a process behind their creation and it starts with the uninhibited, unedited raw doodles–or stream of consciousness. When I buy an artbook, I’m sometimes more fascinated by the thumbnail sketches than I am with the finished piece. And I have found that the artists I admire most tend to include all aspects of their creative repertoire from initial sketch to finished painting. To me, it lends depth to their scope of work.
With that said, there are some spontaneous effects that reveal themselves during painting process that often defy premeditated sketching. This is when I literally go with the flow (or “let go”): maintaining the integrity of the basic drawing while letting the subconscious muses add their 2 cents. This is most evident in my backgrounds and/or secondary elements.
Thank you, Carlos, for your descriptive commentary. I love to read about what others think about my work and how they interpret a particular image.
Thank you, everybody. I always appreciate the heartfelt comments that are left on my blog. Jordan, glad you like Rumpelstiltskin as 10 of wands. Rose, yes, living in the moment is not easy to do–life has a way of getting us caught up in things! Like always, your wise words are intuitive ones. Julia, so glad you love the painting. Share, I think a lot of us can relate to your sentiments. For me, the fairy tales reflect many of the turmoils that continue to persist in our daily lives. I’m actually finding solace in these timeless tales during these tumultuous times. Bonnie, I hope you know that I don’t think laptops are a bad thing and I know many need available technologies for their work and life. But for me, it would be extraneous and another thing to worry about. It’s all about personal choices and what we need to do as individuals to live more balanced lives. I’m probably an extreme as I rarely even use my cell phone-emergencies only. At times, I simply need to unplug and walk away. But yes, the bottom line is the same and we’re all feeling apprehensive. Thank you so much for adding depth and richness to this commentary with your wonderful perspectives.
Great work, Lisa!
You can definitely get the feel of anxiety and preoccupation in the girl’s face. You can tell by the way she stares helplessly at the loom that all that’s going through her head is: “I’m sooooo screwed”, hehe ^__^
I also have to say the devil-like knocker in the back was a perfect addition to this image. To me it’s a very clever and subtle way of portraying the girl’s “deal with the devil”, if you will.
I’m also happy to see the development of this painting from the rough sketch to the final product. I was always worried that my rough sketches were just like this and that I was the only one who could see beyond its raw state into a final product; Especially when you see some artists who do “rough” sketches that have so much detail you wonder why do they even bother to do a finished version. Now I feel a lot better knowing you work that way too
Lisa -
Great cards! There is some scary accuracy in this commentary. My life is different – I need my laptop for business as well as to remain connected – but the bottom lne is the same.
Hi Lisa!
Your journal entry REALLY meant a lot to me at this time. I am so much going through these issues right now.
The card and story are gorgeous, inspiring and magical! This can be a dreary card to get, your art and interpertation gives it a wonderful aspect sometimes ignored.
I really love this card!
Ha…you have no idea how appropriate that card is for me lately! The past month or 2 has been very ‘burdened’ & I can fully appreicate your words about how to step back & let things go.
Rumplestiltskin… I loved that fairytale
And I love your painting of it!
Lisa, I love the comparison of the Rumplestiltskin story and the 10 of Wands. And your card image is terrific! Thank you for sharing it.
You know, it’s a very tough time for a lot of people, and we all feel, I think, like we’re working hard with no end in sight. Your words are very wise ones that more of us need to consider. Simplicity in life is quite beautiful, and learning to live in the moment is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, activities we can accomplish.
Thanks for a great post, Lisa!
xo Rose
Great blog, Lisa!
Full-on DIG your fairy tale graphic story linkage in your 10 of Wands. Powerful image. So much there.
All the Best!,
Jordan