intuitive painting, vintage book collage + the art of letting go

I've been working on a new mixed media painting and contemplating a very important artistic dilemma: Do I sacrifice a few more pages from my vintage 1961 Wonders of the Deep Sea children's science book to create 11 more stars?

I mean, I've already used pages from this exact book in previous paintings AND turned part of it into an art journal. So clearly, the sacrilege has already begun.

Meanwhile, life has been a little full lately. Between homeschooling, Nutcracker season, business, and coming down from my latest launch, I've been feeling pretty overstimulated.

The other night, I woke up around 3 AM with my mind ready to worry about everything. Instead, I wandered outside, spread a blanket over our picnic table, and stared at the moon and stars.

It was heavenly. Minus the mosquitoes.

And now, here I am, bringing a little piece of that night into my painting.

So tell me, would you save the book or sacrifice a few more pages for the sake of art?