The Void Hamlet: Random Favourites, Vol. I

Art of Sentimental Value

I. Angus, Page XII by joeyv7



A page from Nora's Books. Cathy explains, "Illustrations for a book about the (imaginary) adventures of my two-year-old niece's cat Angus. Nora loves books, and I had a blast doing this. I got to be a kid again, thanks to her, and intend on making her a new book every Christmas".





II. In The Field of Purple Dreams by Snow-Owl



Simona writes, "This painting was inspired by so many things, especially movies, that I'll have to think really hard to remember them all! Firstly, it was my fave movie, Tim Burton's "Big Fish" and the yellow daffodil field. Except that I decided to leave the colour and use a field of rye instead. Then it was a purple tree from "What Dreams May Come". And finally, this tree became alive after remembering "The Lord of the Rings".

What brought it all together was my trip to the mountains, where I saw many of these endless ray fields, gorgeous mountains under a morning mist and even a purple tree right through the window! So you can guess I had lots of motivation to finish this picture after coming back home. I really wanted to create a light, sunny piece where you could lay your eyes and remember your own purple dreams."





III. Dance No More by SharonLeggDigitalArt



This photomanipulation is a tribute to the memory of Anna Pavlova, a Russian ballerina (1881-1933), most recognised for the creation of the rôle The Dying Swan. Photomanipulator Sharon shares a poem by Harriet Monroe (1860-1936), founder of the Poetry magazine.

Pavlova, will you dance no more?
Will the tulip shut up in the earth?
Will the swan forever fold white wings?
Will the flute go silent
And the song be hushed in the air?
Will the ray full of rainbows flicker and fail?

Pavlova, your foot is lighter than the perfume of lilies

Brighter than the sparkle of waves,
More musical than the thrush at twilight.
Somewhere-oh, softly-

Pavlova, will you dance no more?
~ Harriet Monroe

IV. In the Arms of Compassion by Nick-Logic



"It was a sad moment, so I tried to capture that," Nicholas writes in comment to the photo. "He had to give the kitty up to the other owner (his ex)."





V. Milk and Cookies at Grandma's by TheMan268



Michael writes, "Ice cold milk and homemade cookies at Grandma's house. Although my Grandma has been passed many years everything in this picture belonged to her, even the uneven table the milk and cookies are sitting on. This picture really brings back memories for me."





VI. Morty at Dillion Beach by MarkNewman



Sculptor Mark Newman's pug at the beach. "Nothing keeps this little guy down." Photo taken by Phillip Lauer.





VII. A Week Before My Son Was Born by KatrinaStranger



"On April 11^th my son was born. This was the last self portrait," the young mother shares.





VIII. Mom's Teacup by felixxkatt



Robin a.k.a. Felix writes, "This was a little nonsense study I made for my momma as a gift for Mother's Day this year. It's about 4.5 inches in diameter and it's on the itty-bittiest round canvas I have ever seen. I ike how it came out, but this is not a masterpiece or anything, not really deep or thoughtful except that I love my momma. I made this for her because she wanted to steal another painting of mine called The House of Tea. She liked her teacup but she still won't let me sell The House of Tea."





IX. Maggie and Bear by shadowgirl



Laura writes, "A painting I've been wanting to do for a long time, ever since I drew The Longest Journey. Personal reference used for the girl. She's actually my little sister Maggie; Birthday present for her.

Bear is my little sister's 'safety blanket'. I had given her Bear when she was born (she's 10 years younger than me), and the circus clown dressed bear would cause so much trouble. She refused to sleep without him, or go on car rides without him. He has a new shirt on because he had been worn out so much, and I believe there is also a 2^nd bear just in case the original got lost. He's retired now, sitting on a shelf in her room, I think.

He's like my Crenger (stuffed tiger that's 26 years old). I could go places with out him, but heaven help my family if he wasn't with me when I went to bed, so I understand the connection my sister has to a silly old toy."





X. Bones and Gold by carpe0diem



David writes, "This is a necklace set I made for a client from the hyoid bones from a lion and a leopard. The two animals were shot by a mother and her young daughter."