Sunday, March 27, 2011

"Obligations"

"Obligations"

   This is the third fish is a series of 3 created in the same style.  The first, "I Saw One In A River Once", the second, "Some Sort Of Sacrifice" (both can be seen on this blog) . All are made in the style of the early 'memory jars' that were popular in the 1800's. Memory jars, or jugs or bowls were made by first covering the vessel in mortar and then attaching small everyday objects such as keys, shells, coins and other personal momentos belonging to someone who had deceased.
   This one is called "Obligations", and it speaks of happy times and hard times and all the times that are our life.  In my interpretation I have taken a wooden fish, applied a coat of acrylic paint and covered it with hundreds of small vintage keepsakes. These include watch parts, crackerjack prizes, vintage jewelry, campaign buttons, coins, screws, bottle caps, and many other old found objects. On top, I added a cork screw to double as a handle to make it easy to carry. (click on picture to enlarge)

10 comments:

  1. I love these, they have so much going on, you could have this sitting on a coffee table and find something new and meaningful each time you looked.

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  2. Yes, you'll always discover something new when you view it--this is such a wonderful form of art expression.

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  3. Such fascinating work and I love the idea of memory jars, how wonderful!! Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I bought the books to read and I am in total agreement..the hard covers are wonderful to use in art, but the loose paper covers are always in the way.
    I'll poop back again soon.
    Sue xxx

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  4. No, no..sorry, that should read 'pop' back soon...how awful...so, so sorry.
    Sue xx

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  5. Thanks you guys, I love making these. I don't know what it is about them, they are crazy and mixed up, and there is a lot to look at . . . but when I stop and look at them they seem to make me slow down a little and 'really look'.

    cheers!

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  6. I was looking at these earlier--marveling over the complexity of design. This just fills my eyes!

    Thank you for joining us for FATuesday Artist Spotlight!

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  7. Cool, I just learned about memory jars on America's Road Show a few weeks back!

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  8. Your obligations fish tells it all. Sometimes life gets in the way of creating art.

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