Inspiration, it just hits you. It has a way of sneaking up on me in the middle of the night, during a conference, on a trip, whenever I'm quietly driving, I just never know, do you? I had been trying to envision what to do with the wood support frame that came with Rising Spirit IV. I had planned on doing some sort of plaque, a hanging of sorts. Actually I may end up doing one just like that! But today my journey takes a detour into what art does for me. Art comes from my heart and Art gives me wings!

I used to draw a lot as a kid. Then I stopped and now it has found its way back into my hands again. So here comes inspiration again. I saved this wooden box and thought, "What if I can add my wood on top and create a box to hold some needed art supplies on the go?"

I wanted it to represent me. Art is liberating, be it mixed media, journaling, sketching it takes me to a place of zen, relaxation and happiness. It gives me wings, makes me able to fly to other places, those where my imagination makes anything possible.

I wanted to build a pair of unique wings. They're both different as you see. The flame that fuels my creativity had another special touch and in the middle of it all something dear to my heart, La Virgen del Carmen. I was ecstatic when I saw the new Coquille set from the RELICS & ARTIFACTS® new release had tiny Madonnas. I was even more surprised to find that one of them was my hometown's patron saint, easily recognized since she's holding the baby in one hand and the scapular in the other. I even dressed as one when I was a little girl and it takes me back to my roots to when I was little and had a pencil in my hands. Of course the shell is another element that represents my Caribbean upbringing.

I purposely built my word into the wings, I wanted "ART" to make a statement, textural, unfinished, bold and strong. Kind of like me!