Cabinet of Curiosities {Wonder}

Ok, here we go with prompt #4....does that really mean this is the half way point!?! Thank you for such amazing feedback on these challenges. All of your work is so inspiring and real. If you're still working on other prompts, or just getting started, please don't feel like you're behind or that it's too late. This Cabinet of Curiosities project is meant to be done at your own pace. However you work best.

That being said, now we're going to think about the concept of wonder.....

won·der (wŭn'der) n.
One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel.

The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or marvelous.
An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle.

We're going to look at the first definition in regards to art. Who or what is it that inspires you...give you a sense of awe and admiration? This could be a particular artist or maybe something outside in the natural world. Think about a certain style you enjoy, or maybe a pattern or a color pallete. We are going to do a little "lifting" today.

In the scrapbooking world, "scraplifting" or the new term "scrapjacked" is popular. There's even a whole new blog by this name that you can check out here, it looks like a lot of fun! They defined this process as taking a scrapbookers (or other artists) style and "take their style hostage" and come up with your own take on their designs. Reinvent.

For our challenge I would like to open this concept up to lifting any sort of art or concept that arises a sense of wonder in you. Find a certain piece of art that you love. Go outside and be inspired by something in the natural world. Take this concept and go where you want with it. Have fun. Make it your own. Challenge yourself.

I have been very inspired by the work of Lauren Mumford. She does some amazingly creative things with vintage objects and creates her own Cabinets of Curiosities, of sorts. Check out some of her fabulous work below.

Artwork above by Lauren Mumford
I was especially in awe of these amazing glittery box creations by Lauren (below). So I took this as my inspiration and "art jacked" it and came up with my own version. This was really a lot of fun and as you get going, it'a amazing how your own style and creative ideas blossom and the piece becomes truly your own. Can't wait to see what artists you all pick and the amazing pieces you come up with. Go....have fun....and art jack someone!!!

P.S. I'm a librarian, so I always have a book to recommend:) I came across this book called The Art of Wonder: A History of Seeing by Julian Spalding when "researching" for this post. I ordered a used copy and just got it yesterday. It looks absolutely wonderful. (pun intended!) "This book tells the story of wonder- how our wonder gave rise to our religious beliefs, to our arts and sciences, and to many of our social structures."