Artist: Elisabeth Ladwig
Title: Starpolish
Medium: Photo Collage/Watercolor Paper
Dimensions: 24"h x 16"w
Special limited edition of 50; piece is framed and ready to hang. Framed dimensions are approximately 35"h x 27"w. Also available unframed.
"'Somebody has to go polish the stars,' Shel Silverstein wrote. I discovered the poem through a former co-worker of mine in the music industry. For him, 'polishing the stars' meant giving talented acts the attention and patience they deserve to get their music heard. For me, the poem immediately begged the question: What needs polishing in my life? The answer has varied over the years, but one interpretation that has stuck is the stars representing spiritual intuition, like a muscle that needs exercise. Just as it takes time to get to know a new friend, connecting with our inner selves also requires conscious effort. I began hosting annual 'Starpolish' gatherings with close friends, lighting candles and setting up a variety of introspective exercises around my home that focused on soul-searching and meditation. They were magical evenings of connecting, sharing, learning about ourselves, and getting excited about the next steps in our lives. Somebody has to go polish the stars. What does that mean to you?" Elisabeth Ladwig
"Starpolish" portrays a whimsical and ethereal scene set against a night sky scattered with stars and a crescent moon. It features a figure with long blonde hair standing on a precarious, rope ladder that defies gravity. The figure is reaching upwards, polishing a star in the night sky, while holding a pale bucket in the other hand. Suspended above are numerous stars dangling from strings, enhancing the magical ambiance. The background shows a flat landscape with low vegetation, under a sky laden with clouds. Adding a touch of wilderness to the scene, a deer stands on the right, gazing into the distance with its head slightly turned, observing the figure's actions. The lighting, composition, and elements in the piece combine to create a dreamy and serene atmosphere, evoking thoughts of fairy tales and the wonders of nature.