"Secret Lives"

#5

"Secret Lives"●
This assemblage was made as a special  auction item for Face 2 Face, a local non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV.  This box is full of mystery, music, and muse, with images and tiny objects that may cause the viewer to become absorbed in thought; as they turn the imagery over in their mind meditatively and inconclusively. 

The box, formally a small clock box (7"x 6" x 3") is painted red, and covered in green tissue. The front of the box is metal, and I used acrylic paints (nail polish) to add color. A small metal medallion in the opening where the clock used to be is also painted. On the back are magazine and book images in brilliant colors of birds, flowers and Frida Kahlo. Inside are many tiny found objects to ponder.  I invite you to click on image #5 to enlarge it and take a closer look. 
I will only add that the music box plays "Pop Goes the Weasel".

"Hanger-On"

"Hanger-On"
This piece came together quite by accident.  A friend of mine had a box full of these wonderful vintage wooden hangers, she no longer needed, and asked me if I wanted them. I, of course said yes. They hung around in my studio for over 6 months, 'annoying me' every time I saw them . . .  they act like a barrel of monkeys, they don't stack well, they looked messy, and I had no idea what I was going to do with them . . .  until yesterday.  I started playing around with them, and saw that when the wire (hanger) part is removed, they fit nicely on to one another.  I love the way this turned out.

Vintage wooden hangers  cut to size and nailed on to a 10"x10" wooden base. A small brass bell hangs from a cuckoo clock chain.  A small lapel pin with a "luchador" mask finishes the piece. (click on any image to enlarge)

Noun 1. hanger-on - someone who persistently (and annoyingly) follows along       a tag along or follower      Synonyms: bloodsucker, freeloader, free rider, moocher, parasite,                        sponge, sponger

"Grumpy"

"Grumpy"●

  "I wouldn't mind being grown up", he told me,  

"if I didn't have get up and be grumpy every morning."

When I read this quote on a birthday card I received a few years ago, I was reminded of myself when I was a kid. I would play with abandon, imagine adventures outside of my little world, and carry on without a worry to my name. Everything was a wonder!  Looking back, I can still recall with amazement how much fun it was to be 'a kid' everyday.

PS: I think the original quote from STORYPEOPLE is a reference to people who are not ‘morning people’. Thankfully, I am a morning person, so I don’t have to be “grumpy” when I wake up.

This piece started out as a hinged wooden box.  It is covered in tissue papers and magazine images inside and out. I placed a glow-in-the-dark star on the front, a yellow toy cowboy and green lizard embellish the inside, and 3 white dice are feet. (click on any image to enlarge)