"Memories and Treasures"

"Memories and Treasures"●

"Memories are a way of holding on to the things you love, 

the things you are, the things you never want to loose." 

                                                              Kevin Arnold

A dear friend, Tracy, commissioned a memory mirror a couple of months ago. She gave me very few 'specifics' about what she wanted, so I had to work on instinct. I know she loves purple, and I knew it was going to be a larger format than what I've done before, and I knew it had to be bold.
I could not wait to get started. I have known Tracy for many years, and I wanted the piece to contain memories and treasures that would amuse and bemuse, I wanted the piece to be happy, and I wanted it to be fun.
The piece includes hundreds of bits of this and that. Some of the bits are pieces that have a strong personal meaning to Tracy. Many of things incorporated onto the piece are found objects that came together just because they looked good. Some of the objects are mere fun and full of whimsy, while others still, are curious and interesting.
(Tracy tells me each time she looks at it, she sees something new she had not seen before.) I hope it brings her many years of enjoyment.
What is really amazing about 'memory mirrors' is that the experience is different for each person who views it.  The piece is meant to engage and involve each viewer, and allow them to reflect and remember. As each person looks at the piece something will catch their eye, that will appeal to their sense of humor, and hopefully stir up their own fond memories.
Wood framed mirror with shelf. (17"x24"x4"). Covered in several layers of art tissues, with a final layer of McCall's pattern tissue, and embellished with silvery-blingy bits, crystals, a rusted metal lid, jacks, magnets, bottle caps, glass beads, and many, many other things.
Very difficult to photograph. . . .