LAS CRUCES - "Master Composer" & "Three"

LAS CRUCES: "Master Composer"  and  "Three"

It all started about 2 years ago. I went to visit my friend Marie, and I noticed a wall of crosses in the entry to her home. I took these crummy pictures with a cell phone, but it's enough for you to see what I mean.

I found the rustic nature of these images of faith compelling.  I loved their easy nature and relaxed sense. I knew I wanted to start working on a series of "crucifixes". So a few months later, I began work on 3 very rustic pieces made from scrap wood, rusty bottle caps and various other found objects.

Soon, other more pressing 'life' things got in the way, and the 'series' was set aside. 

This past January, we were in Seattle visiting friends. One day, while driving around looking for thrift stores, we came a cross an electric organ, tossed on the side of the street . . . well, needless to say, my adorable husband and I snapped to attention, and began 'dismantling' it.  I took the keys, and a few other parts, (that I cannot identify by name - below is a photo of the parts)

Anyway, this motivated me to return to the idea to make a series of assemblage crosses.

Here are the first two. 

"Master Composer" contains keys taken from the found electronic organ, set inside the lid of a wooden cigar box. The silver "Master" on top oversees the music. 2 sets of chop sticks frame the piece.

Piece number 2 is titled simply "Three".  The legs and arms are from the same found electric organ. (these are the parts I cannot ID - but they seem to work) The tiger beads on the hands are a bit of added whimsey. The number 3 is from a found Washington state license plate. A spoon face and silver wing hat mounted on a wooden cross form collaged in artist's tissues.

 These are the first 2. 

3 others are in process at the studio, the original 3 rustic ones are also in line to be finished . . . 

My plan is to make 10.