"Gone Fishing"

"Gone Fishing"●
This is a bit of a departure for me, but I got this idea on a recent trip to Barcelona. My husband found the blue lure on the beach one day . . . I remembered the others I had back in my studio, acquired from various sources. I thought about the colorful stories they could tell together.  I really like how colorful they are, and the strength and endurance each has shown, surviving the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and yes, the Mediterranean Sea.
A piece of fence drift wood that still holds a bent up-rusty nail is the backdrop for this piece, 8 fishing lures, some vintage, some newer, (yes that is a Snoopy lure), each tells a different story.  I attached a wooden hanger  on top to create a stream for the salmon to swim, and the frogs to sit. (click on image to enlarge)

"You and Me"

"You and Me" ●

I read this quote and I just loved it.  Immediately I thought it deserved to be imortalized in scrabble letters . . . Hope you like it. 

" I LAUGH I CRY I HOPE I TRY I HURT I NEED

I FEAR I LOVE AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO

SO WE ARE REALLY NOT THAT DIFFERENT YOU AND ME"

A small wood cabinet door found at Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store is the perfect frame for this piece. The door is covered, front and back, in rich, vibrant green tissues, bits of vintage sheet music, and hand written letters and pattern pieces.  The piece is ready to hang or sit on a stand. (click on image to enlarge)

"Children Of War"

"Children of War"●
   Recently, the Healdsburg Center for The Arts, the place where I show my work as a Resident Artist, gave 100 local artists a 2" tin filled with chocolate covered coffee beans and challenged us to create an art piece with the tin. The art pieces created from these tiny tins will be auctioned off at the first annual "Tins of Imagination" fund raiser and exhibition to take place on August 13th.
   This is my entry. After I ate the chocolate covered coffee beans (YUM!) . . . I covered the of the tin in maps from a vintage atlas; the inside is covered in 'war statistics' from a WWII history book and filled it with tiny babies of various sizes and colors. The tin is attached to a small lazy-susan, allowing it to rotate.
   A lens from an old pair of binoculars is attached to the top of the tin, magnifying the tiny babies inside. Fishing line and clear silicone adhesive hold the plastic soldiers as they circle the tin, traveling the world - fighting in the wars they fight.
   The whole thing is attached to a 5"x7" piece of wood with beveled edges which is also covered in vintage maps.  Ready to hang.  (click on images to enlarge)

"Buried Treasure Project"

This is my entry in the collaborative project "The 2011 Buried Treasure". This project, the brain child of Seth Apter over at The Altered Page will take place this year on Thursday July 28th.  This annual e-vent asks participating bloggers to re-post a favorite post from their own blog.

 

I am re-posting “Come Play With Me”● originally posted 5/27/2010. This piece is totally interactive. Constructed in a vintage oak file box that has been altered and embellished with wooden inserts to hold things that are ROUND: A wooden top, a vintage light bulb, a tea ball, a lovely glass door knob, a compass, a doll's head, a globe, and eyeball that sits in a glass funnel.  All items can be picked up and played with, as their texture tells the story of the life they had before they came here.  This piece also includes a wind-up music box, and brass drawer pulls on each end. (click on any image to enlarge for a closer look.)  IN PRIVATE COLLECTION

Do stop by Seth’s blog on Thursday 7/28 to see tons of links of favorite posts by some great bloggers! This is a link to Seth's blog.

"Rocky"

"Rocky" ●
In following my love of 'over-embellished' things this wooden rooster came into my studio about 6 months ago. When he arrived, he had very long legs and he was painted dark green. I began by cutting about 4" from his long legs, then I covered him in bits and baubles, political buttons, bottle caps and bells. Silvery buttons on the tail make sure he is struttin' his stuff. His green shoes and measuring tape socks complete the outfit. The wooden base is covered in copper sheeting left over from a garden project, and a silvery curtain rod finial on top give him 'presence' and provide an easy way to transport. I named him Rocky because he really 'rocks'. (click on any image for a closer look)

"Altared Days"

 

"Altared Days"
Last Fall, around the time of "Day of The Dead"  I made 2 of these altars,  The first one was titled Altared Nights was posted on this blog earlier, and can be seen here.
This sweet piece is made inside a mahogany drawer found at the flea market, the front columns are made from the wood of a vintage child's crutch. The inside of the drawer is covered in hand made paper and in the center is a glittery image of the Our Lady of Guadalupe, holding silver stars in her hands. At her feet are clear glass marbles, and the rose is a diadora cedar cone, I found in my back yard. Glow in the dark lighting bolts line the inside of the drawer.
Religious altars are made by people from Mexico and much of Latin America. They are made to honor their faith in god and in their saint of choice. The very poor and faithful find ways to create things of beauty from nothing or very little. Altars are not special because of the cost of the things they are made from, rather they are valuable because of what they represent.

"Wanting It All"

 

"Wanting It All"

   When I was 6 years old, I dreamt of being a ballerina. I had a small jewelry box, when opened, it played music and a tiny ballerina would spring up and dance. My playmate, Junior (I honestly don't remember his real name) and I would spend hours playing, he with his toy cowboys and indians, and me with my music box. One day, I remember saying "when I grow up, I want to be a ballerina", to which he quickly responded "no you don't because everyone will see your underwear". I have to say, at age 6, this realization broke my heart. Although I am not disappointed with my life or the experiences I've had, or the places I've been, or the amazing, people who are in my life today, I do think back on that little girl's dream.

   Recently I came across this child's jewelry box with the tiny ballerina, and I was instantly taken back to that day many years ago. I titled the piece "Wanting It All" because sometimes I wonder about the road(s) not taken.

   Difficult to photograph because the box is small (10"x10"x4").  Ceramic doll hands reaching out of a beautiful Italian garden scene, mirrors all around and a tiny ballerina in the corner dances endlessly trying to 'have it all'.

"Old Friends"

"Old Friends"

I was at an estate sale a couple of weeks ago, and I saw these 3 in amongst the tools in the tool box  . . . The first thing I thought of was "Larry, Moe and Curly", really!  I just knew that because they had been together all these years, they HAD to stay together. I could not split them apart. This piece came together as a result. I found shoes for each of them, and a small metal "square" to act as the hugging arms for "hammer head". Last week, my sister sent me a vintage canvas tape measure in the mail, which was added at the last minute.  (click on any image to enlarge)

Five Fish

 "Five Fish" ●
This piece, is put together in a simple wood frame, with a background of vintage folding rulers, yardsticks and school rulers. A metal number 5 and a small wooden fish painted salmon-like add interest and dimension.  This piece is ready to hang and already sold. (click on image to enlarge)

"She Wanted To Fly"

"She Wanted To Fly"
   She's a wife, she's a mom, she has an amazing career. . .  she has worked hard and has created a wonderful life for herself and her family. Sometimes, every now and then, 'she wants to fly' just to take a break, just to see what's out there, just to remember her dreams, the ones that slipped away.
    A vintage sewing machine drawer is the box that contains this story, a story many of us share. A "winged victory" statue depicts her feelings. At her feet we see her child, her work, her faith, while her dreams line the walls, under glass. A music box, plays a tune, and mirrors reflect the size of her world. (click on any image to enlarge)

"Bingo"

 "Bingo" ●
Another favorite: A wooden pig embellished with bits and pieces of this and that. The pig, named "Bingo" is approximately 7" x 4", and he has wings, and buttons, bottle caps and bells. He wears a level for a hat, and wooden beads for shoes. A part of a one dollar bill drapes his belly, reminding us that in a financial context, pork bellies, like lumber and oranges are still considered commodities. (click on any image to enlarge)

"She Would Only Fly When No One Was Looking"

 "She Would Only Fly When No One Was Looking"

    Last year I received a birthday card with the following sentiment: "For A Long Time, She Flew Only When She Thought No One Was Looking". . .  it liked it so much that it has stayed with me for months.
    I found this wonderful box at an estate sale a couple of months ago, apparently it used to hold tools or nails or tacks . . . I covered the box in handmade papers, and put it on a stand with a small wind-up music box on the bottom. On the left inside wall, a mirror reflects the doll, and on the right inside wall, you see bits of safety glass with various images underneath.
    The doll is made up of doll arms, a doll head and a vintage curry powder spice tin.  She holds a set of golden wings in one hand and a gun in the other . . . contradictory at best
    The doll is suspended from the back allowing the legs and arms to move. On top is a blue water faucet handle, and on the back I added a silver metal piece that was formally a strainer from a shrimp cocktail server. The front of the box has a glass cover. (click on any image to enlarge)

Circles Squared

"Circles Squared"
   Inspiration for this wall hung piece came from one done by Catherine Nash titled "Circles Can't Be Squared". In it she used a beautiful vintage square as the anchor to her piece, and you can see it here .
   A lid from a wooden box is the frame that contain all the parts:  a vintage metal square, a piece of a vintage level, the cross bar of a table leg, a wooden triangle with an amber marble reminds me of the all-seeing eye. The bottom circles piece came from one of those revolving spice racks. Inside the circles are marbles, coins, dice and a round metal filigree piece found on one of my walks. A piece of glass covers the circles, allowing the pieces to move freely inside. The background is vintage measuring tape.

"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)

No. 145 - - - - S.O.O.B.

"No. 145  S.O.O.B."●

   This is a sweet piece.  A few years ago, I made this piece for an assemblage show, where myself and 6 other assemblage artists came together to show the diversity and range of our medium.

This piece sold before the show was over, and in the end it went home with it's new owner without having been photographed . . . much to my chagrin. Last night my husband and I were invited to dinner at a friends home, and you can imagine my surprise, when I saw No. 145 in the home of our hosts! I asked permission to take a few of photographs (with my cell phone), and although I am less than pleased with the resulting images, I am delighted to know where it is and to have had the opportunity to take these few photos.
   The cigar box is collaged inside and out with beautiful imagery of flowers, art and text, followed with the juxtaposed and sometimes disturbing 3-D imagery like the bullet shells in the bottom left with small hands reaching skyward. In the center, a white ceramic rabbit is contained inside a sardine can, the 'rays' around the can are stir sticks that once held martini olives collected over the years. A wooden fish appears to be 'swimming through the box', while a tiny ballerina dances on. On the back side, the butterfly-winged young woman reflects about life. (click on any image to enlarge)

"Measure Up!"

 

"Measure Up"●

I love collecting stuff. I collect everything, especially things that are well used, and have lived a life before finding me. Things that measure have always been of special interest. This piece is made entirely (almost) of vintage rulers, yard sticks and skirt markers. Constructed on a 12"x7" sections of kitchen cabinet doors, and framed in yard sticks.

The Imaginist Theater, a local theater group in Santa Rosa will hold it's 2nd annual fundraiser "IMAGINART, Luck Of The Art Draw" this coming weekend. I have donated this piece to be auctioned off at this event.  http://www.theimaginists.org/  (click on any image to enlarge)

"Up To Your Ass In Alligators"

 

"Up To Your Ass In Alligators"● 

   I love working with scrabble tiles! These pieces are so fun to make, and people love them. Often, when I am gallery sitting, I will see people stop to look at these pieces, and as they slowly read through to the end of the message, they will inevitably crack up with laughter. Sometimes, they will look around, hoping no one is watching them.

   For this piece, I, again, took a very narrow cabinet door, and covered it in tissue papers. Scrabble tiles spell out my favorite saying: 

"WHEN YOU ARE UP TO YOUR ASS IN ALLIGATORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO

REMEMBER THAT YOUR INITIAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO DRAIN THE SWAMP"

   A small toy alligator, attached on the side, will move it's tail when you touch it's nose. Ready to hang.  (click on image to enlarge)