Thinking inside the box

I try not to make a habit of it, but sometimes you just have to go back to a 'finished' work and redo it. 
I had completed this box some months ago but there was always something which annoyed me about it. I always felt that the centre image wasn't right and it was too dark. Also the imagery really didn't sit comfortably with me. So yesterday I decided enough was enough, I couldn't stand looking at it any longer. I took a knife and sliced into the lid and peeled it off like an orange skin to reveal the contents. I then proceeded to remove the barbed wire rose bush, the metal frame and then finally the paper images. It felt good, it was like a cleansing as I ripped away the paper, I was ridding the box of something which didn't belong. So why did I add the images in the first place if they didn't sit comfortably with me? Good question, but I really don't have an answer...it just happened! 

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So after removing the contents I sat there for a few moments hoping that my 'creative genius' was around to take over and create something magical. After listening to Elisabeth Gilbert's talk on 'the creative genius', I definitely put a lot more pressure on it to show up and do its part, and generally I am never disappointed.

So after those few moments of being still and quieting my mind...bingo! The creative genius told me exactly what I needed to use, it is amazing because I have come to trust it and to know that if I sit quietly, it will show up! But you watch, now that i have said i expect it to show up when I need assistance, it won't, just to teach me a lesson. 

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So what I did, was create an artwork which had more meaning. I then screen printed an ornate frame onto plexiglass and then laid it over the top of the artwork.

I then decided that I would add a glowing heart image into the front plexiglass panel of the box's cover. So once again I screen printed the heart into the inside cover (screen printing on the inside cover rather than the outside surface means the heart will be protected from possible scratches and dust).

I think with the addition of the heart it really gives the work another focal point which I feel adds to the appeal of the box.

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So this is where I am now. I still feel it isn't quite there yet and I will let it sit for a few days and just wait for my creative genius to tell me what it needs to bring it to completion.