"Come As You Are"

"Come As You Are" ● 

   When I found this wooden cross in the dumpster of a nearby apartment complex, I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I could not walk by and leave it. I brought it to the studio, where it sat for months. 

   Last fall I attended a collage / mixed media class. We were asked to bring  magazine images, favorite 'chachkas' and other found objects to use in art class. The found wooden cross was the first thing I grabbed. 

    I first covered the cross in purple tissues, then I sprinkled words from a poem here and there, front and back. Later, images of hands and feet from different bodies were added. The timing was near "Day of The Dead", so I added an image of a skull wearing a coat and tie and a crown with a bird on top. A red sun dress finishes the collage imagery.

   The piece is embellished with a gothic cross on a chain, the dress is layered with gauze, brass tacks and a red bow . . . quite stunning I must say.. (click on any image to enlarge)

"Home Bird" and "Home Camel"

 "Home Bird" and "Home Camel"
These 2 smalls were made using tiny wooden boxes I found at the flea market.  I have never worked in such a small format before, and besides the obvious challenges, I must say, I love the results.
     "Home Bird"● is contained inside a tiny mahogany box (3"x3"). The hand carved embellishment is the roof of a vintage cuckoo clock I took apart last summer (see Edna). A small ceramic bird sits a top an amber colored crystal, while looking over the metal house in the corner. A brass bell on the side adds interest and noise.
    "Home Camel"● this mahogany box (2" x 4") is embellished with wooden wings and a brass bell on the outside.  Inside the box, a tiny camel patiently waits by the house ready for flight.
     Both are ready to hang. (click on any image to enlarge)

Untitled

 
Untitled●

   In 1974, shortly after moving to northern California from Texas and while working as a receptionist for a small chain of clothing stores that were the original Ross Stores, I met the “full of himself”, “self assured” and “very dashing” Richard Manley. In those days, Richard then was living his life disguised as an up and coming lingerie salesman.

   Today Richard is a remarkably successful playwright.

   Over the last 37 years (Has it been that long, really?) Richard and I have remained good friends, even though our careers have caused us to at times live on opposite coasts, we have managed to always stay in touch, and see each other when we can.

   I learned last month that Richard and Jennifer, his beautiful bride of almost 20 years will be moving back to New York next month, as that is where plays get produced, good things happen to talented writers. Although San Francisco is a beautiful and amazing city, New York seems to be where R and J feel most at home. Alas, they are moving! I am thrilled for them, and that now gives my husband Walter and I another really great reason to visit New York.

   Whew! That was a long story!  When I learned Richard was moving, I felt a strong need to create a piece of art for him to have in his studio in New York. For the life of me, I cannot understand "why?" in all the years I have known Richard, it never occurred to me to make an assemblage for him. . . .

   This piece, still untitled, is small, created in a 3"x6"x4" vintage recipe box, (if you don't count the antler . . .) A beautifully carved black frame corner adorns the front of the box. A silver cover plate from an old SINGER sewing machine on the side. The box is filled with treasures to entertain and wonder. A small bottle filled with 2 sands the white from Malibu and the black from Hawaii. A vintage bottle holds trinkets and treasures to be played with and examined. A tear-eyed jester, a tiny hand waving good-by from a 45 magnum shell casing, a small image of an angel. A wind-up music box and a tea ball containing other trinkets. I added a small screw driver so the antler can be removed when packing for transport.

   Photography is not my best talent, but I think you can still see the story. (click on any image to enlarge)