"Artichoke" by Scott Beveridge 9/20/2009By Scott Beveridge
The notion to paint an artichoke with watercolors came to me in a dream.
It was one of those eureka-type dreams that jolted me awake feeling as if a message had been delivered in a premonition not to be dismissed.
As a cynic, I’ve never given much credence to these visionary moments of mystical inspiration that are better suited for the likes of actress Shirley McClain.
The dream about six months ago led me to believe my subconscious mind was suggesting that I focus again on my roots as an artist at a time when scores of newspapers reporters like me were being furloughed in an industry that has been struggling to adapt to the free Internet age.
Then the dream became a silly joke fueled by my fellow blogger Amanda Gillooly, whose hilarious musings occasionally appear on this Web site.
Gillooly wouldn’t let go of the spiritual guidance that the dream delivered, and occasionally hounded me to grab the brushes, tubes of paint and watercolor paper to fulfill destiny.
The pleasant, sunny weather on Sunday gave me no excuse to get to work.
But then the strangest message arrived in an email tonight from another friend, who will remain anonymous, containing the “official” interpretation of a dream about this edible flower.
Here it is from fatedreams.com:
To see or eat an artichoke in your dream, suggests that you need to get to the heart of some matter. It is also representative of your potential and creativity. Perhaps you are holding back in how you want to express yourself.
"That's weird," is all I can say.
If you are like him when you travel, your clothes seem to take up more space in your suitcase after you have worn them. Take a tip from Scotty and mail yourself a package home filled with those dirty socks, underwear and T-shirts after you have been on the road for five or six days. You can buy a box and enough postage at the post office for less than $15. Postal workers seem to get a kick out of the idea, and they will even help you fold your box and tape it closed, too. Seek out a post office in a small town, where the workers have more time to gossip, while driving to a tourist destination. Now, you have room in your carryon to cart home your souvenirs, without having to worry about them getting broken or flown to St. Louis when your switchover is aiming for Pittsburgh.
The successful traveler packs a personality blessed with patience and some understanding of the road.
3 comments:
Hey, people pay more money for less-quality stuff. For instance, didn't someone spend all kinds of cash on a grilled cheese that had a burn mark that looked like Jesus.
But I digress: You never know what the day will bring.
Perhaps some eccentric horticulturalist will commission you to paint a series of vegetables.
Anyway, nice artichoke.
And impressed by your wordsmithing, too, buddy.
I know a local artists who got a compliment on his first fruit painting and has made quite a career and a name for himself painting only fruits and vegetables. I'm with Amanda. Maybe this is your calling. Perhaps your particular 'mission from God'. I have to say, it's a great looking artichoke and I'd love to hang it in my office.
I'm impressed! I had no idea you had this hidden talent!
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