"I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art." - Madonna Ciccone

Like Madonna (well, sorta) I am in the midst of "my own experiment" - attempting to create a "work of art" out of the chaos that has invaded my home after a long summer of estate sale madness.

courtesy of Illusions Gallery

"The Artist" (1920) by Alfonse Maria Mucha. 

I've learned over time that when my environment is chaotic and disorganized, I'm not nearly as creative or productive as I am when I've found "a place for everything, and everything is in its place."  I can't remember the last time I felt that sense of peace as I walked through my home.  

So that's my goal for this next month.  Beauty and Order.  I'm going to sort through everything I've purchased during these past several months, write it all down, categorize it, take lots of photos (for YOU, of course), and give them a proper home. 

And after I've made my home a Work of Art - then, with a sense of peace, I can start focusing on my own Inner Beauty too.

                         courtesy of Art Prints on Demand

"La Belle Liseuse" (The Beautiful Reader) by Leon Francoise Comerre (1850-1916)

I've written before about how I like to decorate my home with works of art, especially portraits of women. Well, included above and below are a few more favorites...

                     courtesy of Great Masters Gallery

"An Elegant Beauty" by William Clark Wontner (1857-1930)

                                        courtesy of Canvaz Inc

"Pavonia" (1858-59) by Lord Frederick Leighton.

Each of these paintings is highlighted in this fabulous video compilation by Philip Scott Johnson -
"Women in Art: 500 Years of Female Portraits in Western Art."

Johnson's Women in Art video was nominated as "Most Creative Video" in the second annual YouTube Awards.  The lovely music, Bach's Sarabande from Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007, is performed by Yo-Yo Ma.

If you haven't seen it yet, you're in for a treat!



If you'd like to see a complete list of the artists and paintings included in this video, I highly recommend that you visit a wonderful guide to Johnson's Women in Art video on Boni's Site for Students (and Friends)

As an aside...
Probably the closest that I've come to being a "work of art" is this caricature drawn at a work convention last year.  The artist was clearly very intuitive when he chose to put a drink in my hand, and thoughts of money and romance (a little heart) floating around my head. 

A work of art, I'm not.  But a work in progress?  I hope that's the case - for years and years to come!

Have a beautiful week,
"Sarsaparilla" Susan