Soul Retrieval ~ Part Deux ... the muse had other ideas ...

Title: Soul Retrieval

16x20 acrylics (an other 'stuff') on canvas

Okay, so I thought this painting was finished ... but the muse had other ideas!  Early on in the process, when the large 'peeled back' area emerged in the top right of the painting, I kept sensing that it looked a little like a teapot ... I kept sweeping this idea aside as it seemed silly to have a teapot floating in space at the top of the painting. Besides, it certainly didn't go with my emerging theme of 'Soul Retrieval'!  The symbol of the teapot persisted however, even after I told myself the painting was complete (I even blogged about it earlier today ~ before the teapot). 

After I had blogged about it, I was looking at the painting again and still the teapot image kept persisting. I was actually thinking of ways to change the shape so it looked less like a teapot!  Then suddenly it occured to me when the pose of the figure reminded me of the old singing nursery rhyme "I'm a Little Teapot" ... of course the teapot made perfect sense!!  I sang this song A LOT when I was a little girl and of course 'performed' the actions that went with the song.  In case you're not familiar, it goes like this ...

"I'm a little teapot short and stout.

Here is my handle,

here is my spout.

When I get all steamed up,

hear me shout ...

Just tip me over and pour me out!"

Sooo, I set to work (again).  The basic shape of the teapot was already there; I just blended what wasn't the teapot into the background and added a few little details to give it some personality.  Other additions to the painting were the square black and white "t" shapes pouring out of the teapot and I also added a small square mirror to the bottom right of the canvas and 6 crystals scattered about (a little personal symbolism).

Teapot Symbolism:  I'm releasing "T" which means I will be an empty vessel for what comes next ... I've hung the painting upside down to aid with this transition (I think it still works aesthetically upside down as well!?!)

... I just googled "I'm a Little Teapot" and found a second verse (who knew?!) to the song on Wikipedia ...

"I'm a clever teapot,

yes it's true.
Here let me show you
what I can do.

I can change my handle

and my spout.
Just tip me over and pour me out!" ...

... seems hanging 'Soul Retrieval' upside down (reversing it) is more appropriate ('clever') than I thought!! lol