As man of you know, every month Art Bead Scene features a piece of art for inspiration. The challenge is to use an art bead in your design, anything from jewelry to collage art. I was intrigued by the choice this month, a beautiful watercolor and ink painting – hundreds of years old.
The Conference of the Birds by Habiballah
Page from a manuscript of the Mantiq al-Tayr (The Language of the Birds) of Farid al-Din `Attar
ca. 1600; Safavid Iran (Isfahan)
Opaque watercolor, ink, silver, gold on paper
10 x 4 1/2 in. (25.4 x 11.4 cm)
Perusing through my art beads, I set out to see what I might find that would evoke feelings or colors from this piece of art. I found a lampwork set that I have held on to for years…just waiting for the right project. It is a large set of tabs and coordinating spacer beads. Unfortunately I can no longer find the information for the artist (if you recognize the lampwork/artist, please let me know). Not only were the colors just right, but I can see a stream running through the beads, just as in the painting.
I added a touch of the gold in the painting by working with bronze wire. The wire knots were made by hand, one by one.
To see how others were inspired by the ABS challenge this month, visit the Flickr pool here.
Thank you for stopping by!
-Cindy
