April's challenge..Finches and Bamboo

Oh..the delight and anticipation of interpreting 'Finches and Bamboo', painted by the Chinese emperor Huizong, 1082-1135.. almost 1000 years ago!

The Art Bead Scene blog's pick for the April challenge was perfect..
 
For what had touched me..beside the age of this painting , was not only the painting's sensitivity and delicate beauty, but the subtle texture .. the inks on silk. Fabric..my fav!

The images, and sound(!), and touch(!), of the dry rustling faded silk were dancing in my head..and just what I had been hoarding for years?...a length of  parchment colored wild silk fabric.

With a few brush stokes of paint I reddened the edges, added a strip of dupioni silk for the dark browns and a fabric cuff was born ..then..well ..lucky me.. I have a fantastic stash of  the most awesome art beads from Shannon of missficklemedia.. Her patina-ed beads and chains were perfect for the 1000year old 'look' ..the soft patina greens complimenting the 'canvas' color  as did the bamboo leaves in the painting.


One very ancient looking button from missfickle 
was the perfect final touch.
                     



I must leave here a note on how these monthly challenges from the Art Bead Scene are so good for me..to be able to have an excuse to create and dream at will. Not bound by the market.. what is popular, what  is cost-effective, what is best for SEO...blah..and yuck.I know, necessary.
But it is almost as if these hours dedicated to attempting, in a very small way, to pass on the beauty created by these master painters in another medium, adding and taking away as I please,whatever moves me ...are actually mini holidays!     Thanks ABS.:)