"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. . . .

"Time Was On His Side"

 

 

"Time Was On His Side"
This assemblage began with the image of the handsome young man inside the clock box, whose identity I do not know . . . I found the photo tossed inside a large bin along with hundreds of other vintage photographs. When I was looking through the pile of images, this one literally jumped out at me. His fresh face seemed so full of promise, his eyes so full of hope, his future so bright. I wondered what became of him? Did he live a life fulfilled? Did he achieve great success? Was he generous and kind? Did his grandchildren look up to him? Or did he loose his way somehow?

Vintage wooden clock case contains an acrylic skin of the young man's image over a background of sheet music, and the original Baby Ben clock face. A tiny metal Model T in the forefront. The outside of the clock box is embellished with a single strand of glass beads holding a silver key on the end. A metal leaf from an Italian wall sconce, and a small brass spinning wheel add interest. 

"Music Level"

"Music Level"
 A couple of weeks ago I posted the first of 5 new pieces I recently completed for a new show at The Sebastopol Gallery which is where I show my work on an ongoing basis as a Member Artist.
You may recall, that I got my inspiration for these 5 pieces from Dayna Collins' series of works she called "Curious Elements". If you missed it, do go over to "Art Alley Studio" ,  where you can see all 120 of her creations or just click here you can see a good sampling.

This is my #2 piece :  titled "Music Level", and it came together easily, gracefully and decisively. It was as if these 2 disparate, unrelated items, probably from the same time period (40's-50's), found each other after many years apart.

The level, was from my father's tool shed, from many years ago. The clock chime bar is from the inside of a mantle clock, also from the 40's. When you run your fingers across the 5 rod chime bar, you will hear the wonderful chime sounds.

Although each of these items lived a full and productive life when they were new, their original usefulness eventually ended. Now both have found a new and beautiful career as a piece of art.  Carpenter's level and 5 rod chime bar, ready to hang.

"Time Watch"

"Time Watch" ●
A few months ago, I was 'overly' inspired when I saw Dayna Collin's "Art Alley Studio" series or works she called "Curious Elements",  you can see all 120 of them if you go to her blog and search under "Curious Elements" but here you can see a good sampling.
I have to say, I was 'taken' by the entire series, and I knew I had to try my hand at it. . . . They say "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery . . ." I prefer to think of it as 'pure inspiration ". . . although I cannot say my pieces are anywhere close to the quality of her work, (her's are truly amazing) I wanted to take a stab at it, and this is the first of my five.
Please do take a look at her work, here is another post, all of it is amazing, and I am hooked. I will post the rest of them over the next few days/weeks.

"Time Watch" is a small (2"x2") box containing a convex mirror and clock gears. . .  simple, yet elegant.