Repetition Is Truth

"Repetition Is Truth"

This is the third in my Rustic Cross series.  You can see the first two here.

I originally titled this piece: "A Message From The President", because of the words collaged on the back side of the piece,  but I ended up calling it "Repetition Is Truth", because of the words found on the front side, just under the face. Both of these are words from titles of magazine articles I came across when I was clipping images and words for my collage work.

For this cross I used wood from a broken chair, that had been thrown out, found at the back entrance of the local little theater. The cross is collaged in interesting magazine images and words and tissues. A doll's eye that opens and closes, peers out from the center of the cross.  A delicate amber rosary hangs in the front.

Here is an interesting side-story, and one totally unrelated to the creation of this piece: This morning when I GOOGLED the words "Repetition Is Truth" (a bit of research I do for titles of every piece I make), I found a definition from Wikipedia, where they reference these words to "Proof by Assertion"and give examples of usage, as in political slogans, advertising, and brainwashing.  
They even quote Lenin who said:  "A Lie told often enough becomes the truth" . . . . a thought provoking interpretation, wouldn't you say?

The Most Beautiful World In The World

Far away, there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.              
I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty,         

believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.        Louisa May Alcott         

"The Most Beautiful World In The World"
Some days one has to look harder than others, but there is beauty all around us. It’s so much is about perspective and attitude. Some days it is difficult to see the wonder of it all, because it's difficult to not focus on the hardship and sadness that also exists.

Good and bad are both realities. This piece is a lovely reminder to return to the present moment, something so simple yet so hard to remember to do at times. As Louisa May Alcott says, we must keep looking up.

A single-bottle wine box, topped with a vintage wooden drawer pull is covered in green tissue and collaged with images of birds taken from a bird encyclopedia rescued from a local thrift store. The inside is collaged with text from a vintage dictionary.

Inside, and glass enclosed, are children's alphabet blocks spelling the word "AMAZING', and a porcelain doll's head with piercing hazel eyes that add emphasis to the statement found along the left front side of the box: "The Most Beautiful World In The World".

Keep looking up!

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.

It's Not The End

"It's Not The End" ●
Those of you who follow my blog will know this is one of my favorite quotes:

"Everything will be OK in the end.

If it's not OK, it's not the end."

Although it's been done before, I had to go for it again.

My initial research credited this quote to John Lennon, however, further research credits a variety of origins, from a recent movie, to a Brazilian fiction writer, as well as a British song writer. In fact, it has even been credited to no one (anonymous).
 
Bottom line: many people say this quote, (myself included).  And although there is no one person we can pin this quote to, I still like it. I like it a lot!

I like it because it is memorable  I like it because it can be used as a simple general statement of curiosity and how truly free from complication life and the world around us can be.

It is the KISS Principle approach to life.

Have a great week everyone.

Wooden picture frame, burgundy under paint, and covered in sewing pattern tissue. Children's wooden alphabet blocks spell out the quote, and a gold tone leaf embellishment, and black tassel finish the piece. Ready to hang.