[Inkscape-user] color shapes

Hi,

I have an open shape that I would like to fill with color. I can do it but I wonder if there's an faster method than a) close the shape b) close it inside a rectangle c) path::division d) put original-object on top of color-object

The picture may sound clearer: http://www.inf.sgsp.edu.pl/pub/color_shape.svg

thanks in advance, Karol