The Rogue Speaks:
The word serendipity is one of the 10 hardest words to translate in the English language. Horace Walpole used the word in a letter to Horace Mann in 1754. He said he made the word up from a fairy tale, The Three Princes of Serendip. Serendip is an old name for Ceylon, which is now known as Sri Lanka.
The best definition of serendipity is "happy accident" or "fortunate occurrence." In the life of Alexander Flemming, that fortunate occurrence happened when he accidentally contaminated a petri dish growing staph germs with mold. The mold grew and killed the staph germs. Voila! Penicillin!
If you have read my latest Whimsical Wednesday post in which I describe how I create some of my paintings, you will see just how serendipity can play a role.
The painting shown above, entitled Eye of the Storm, I consider to be a happy accident. The technique used to create the piece involves dropping acrylic inks on a piece of glass, then placing a sheet of Yupo paper on top of the glass, and transferring the ink to the paper by pressing down. Sort of like making an ink blot. This technique doesn't always produce the desired results, but in this case it did. I entered the piece in a show, and it sold before the show even opened. What a happy accident that was.
It was also serendipitous that I came across Jenny Matlock's blog, Off On My Tangent, last year, and started participating in Alphabe-Thursday. What fun we all have!! I hope you will check out ALL the offerings this week!
p.s. The music you hear is by the Serendipity Singers. Yes, I know the words have nothing to do with my post, but it is the one song they recorded that I liked.
34 comments:
I can see how this sold so quickly, it is gorgeous!
Beautiful Judie! Serendipity is a fun S post for sure! Congrats on selling your piece!
I love this word, and blogged about serendipity last year. I like the way it rolls off the tongue, the way it sounds, and I especially like the meaning and the feeling I get when I recognise a little bit of serendipity.
This is such a wonderful word! It fills one with hope and joy.
One of my favorite words...and what a beautiful work of art!
What an appropriate piece of art to post as Hurrican Irene threatens our shores!
Thanks, Esther Joy! I thought about that after the fact! So my music really is appropriate after all!!
Oh that is totally serendipitous, Judie!! And beautiful!! and yes, I sure did notice the cigar box--I was so excited!!! (I remembered that you said it was on the table and it looks perfect with your gorgeous house!)
XO
Cindy
What a great post! I am also enjoying one of the coolest songs you have playing here. This is a grand serendipitous post. Thanks! Annee
Gorgeous painting, Judie. I can see why it sold so quickly.
great painting. I should try the technique but probably won't get serendipitous results like yours. it sounds like you have fun making the painting as well. it is always a good thing to enjoy the creating process.
have a lovely day.
Haha, Happy Accident for sure! Sounds like my life, only it's more of a Whimsical Mistake...mwahahaha
Love your paintings Judie, very Serendipitous :)
I'm a big fan of serendipity... there is a lot of it my life! Enjoyed reading the etymology. Your painting is stunning, Judie. I don't have a hole in my roof, but I wouldn't mind having the rains stop. The Serendipity Sisters sound very male...???
What a beautiful painting and that serendipity word, I break my tongue on it but it sounds lovely.
Riet
Hi again, Judie!
Love your ‘S’ post as always! And thanks for stopping by too!
Have a great weekend & look forward to *seeing* you again next time,
XOXO LOLA:)
I learned something new! And I always always enjoy that. It's one of the bonuses of blogging.
Love that 'painting'; I can see why it sold so quickly. For me, the best art is that which stops me in my tracks and makes me contemplate it. This piece does that and more.
How refreshing to read that someone else even remembers the Serendipity Singers! Tooooooo funny!
So lovely Judie! welcoming serendipity into our lives can lead to some exciting adventures for sure...I own that movie too and it never gets old watching it...John Cusack is the main character! Such a special S post!
I can see this hanging in a large contemporary room. I knew it was an eye too, I thought to my self "It looks like my eyes after no sleep."
I am not an artist but I tried something like that in school once and mine turned out like one of those blotches the shrink uses to see if your elevator goes all the way to the top or not. I like yours better. Very colorful!Hope you made a ton of money on it too! Hugs~Ames
Life is often serendipitous, and I love happy accidents...artistic and otherwise!
=)
Serendipity is one of my MOST favourite words. Some, but not all, of my photos are serendipitous...and often they are the ones that turn out the best.
Love your post, Judie!
Very colorful and happy image.
Double link-up, come join the conversations every Thursday and Post your questions on Thursday Two Questions Meme
I always see this word but never bothered to check out what it means. It's serendipity that I'm here to finally know it's meaning.
I LOVE that art piece of yours - beautiful!!
I love that painting! It's so interesting to know how you created it. If only I have 1/1000th of your talent I would be very grateful.
Judie..big congrats on the sale of your beautiful painting..it reminded me of a beautiful sea creature for some reason...as for the word Serendipity...it is so whimsical and playful...your whole day felt that way..right up to the sale of your painting...a post that puts a smile on your face...and laughter in your heart.
Your painting is stunning!! The colors are beautiful. Serendipity is one of my favorite words. I'm so happy that in this case it worked so well for your lovely painting.
Very creative and what a result !
Gorgeous piece, and it is a happy "eye of the storm". I like the translation of the word serendipity..
I appreciated you stopping by my blog yesterday. Have you not heard of Santana before? He's considered to be the greatest guitarist just in case you didn't know. He doesn't sing, as far as I know. I love his salsy sounding electric guitar.
Thanks for sharing the history of serendipity. Wow, what a cool painting! I like this concept of how you created it. That sort of painting is something that MAYBEe I could do. lol. Have a good weekend!
Love this and happy coincidences. Wonderful. Thanks for stopping by and enjoying Shrinky Dink. I got my materials at Michael's Art Store, but here is a web site where you can order materials and get tips and templates:
http://www.shrinkydinks.com/
Have fun. :-)
I love this! Serendipity describes my life, and so far I have no regrets.
That a spectacular painting Judie! I love that! I suspect that's one you could never, ever duplicate!
I'm so glad you found A-T, too! You have been such a wonderful and important part of this meme.
I know I express the thought of all the 'regulars' here, too!
Thanks for linking!
Hugs and A+
Beautiful! I really admire artistic talent! You are so terrific!
I love that word, "serendipity". For me, I associate it with romantic imageries. Maybe it's just the way the word sounds or the way it looks when written. It just oozes romance.
I'm also glad that I came upon Jenny's meme too. If not for her, I would have never found your wonderful blog :)
By the way, I love the paintings you've been sharing lately. They're all so unique and beautifully done :)
What an excellent "S" word for Alphabe-Thursday! And your art work is Stupendous!! Loving the swirls of color of movement.
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