Day 13 – She Sewed All Their Clothes
November 13th, 2007
I had fun with this one! It was a total experiment. I have a couple vintage magazines that I used images from and then using gel medium I did a transfer onto patterned paper. Then I glued the patterned paper onto a sturdier paper for backing and did some more collage, added a few touches with colored pencil and I even threw in some stitching with blue thread, stitching across part of the page and then letting the thread come down in another part. It wasn't intentional or conscious really, what I was doing and choosing, but in the end, this piece reminds me of my grandmother who has Alzheimer's (who I seem to be making a lot of art about lately.) For awhile she would always repeat to us that she had sewn all her children's clothes. It was one of the few memories that stuck and it seemed like she was clinging to it for dear life. I haven't heard her say that for awhile, although sometimes things will come out that surprise us. The sweaters are significant because my grandma used to knit all her grandkids sweaters and we each got a specially hand-knit Christmas stocking. I chose the letter "w" randomly, it just seemed to fit somehow and of course after the fact, it's clear that the "w" stands for my grandmother's last name which starts with a w. Go figure. The subconscious mind works in mysterious ways which is why I so love to do collage work. The seemingly random usually has a story to tell.
It's about 7.5"x11.5" with collage, colored pencil, transfers, and thread on paper. I want to do some more experimenting with transfers, but I need to do some laser copying. A trip to the copy store is in order. I was super productive today, I was way overdue for a day of tackling business stuff and it felt good to sit down with a list of goals and check them off. I feel a productive week coming on. Hallelujah!
I've got a new post up on the Blue Tree blog about a cool connection I had with an art buyer and lots of new prints available for sale.
11 Responses
Love the collage you did about your grandma…what great lil tidbits about her. It is wonderful when you are so in the groove that your piece just comes together without truly knowing where it is going~~~
Thanks so much for sharing it all!!!
Peace–Ellie
Posted by: ELLIE | Nov 14, 2007 at 12:41 am |
Though I haven’t commented often enough, I just want you to know I’m loving all your work for AEM. Beyond this, however, it just seems as though your AEM work has taken on a deeper quality this year, not just in subject matter but technique and experimentation, which is consistent with the general trend for you in 2007. I like!
Posted by: Kathryn | Nov 14, 2007 at 8:34 am |
Lovely collage. I’ve got to fish a bit for participants, but I am trying to get some artsy folks to enter a “Pay It Forward” art exchange. If this appeals, I’d be delighted to send paintings to you if you’d extend a similar offer to others. Stop by my blog at blog.natdickinson.com for details.
Posted by: Nat | Nov 14, 2007 at 8:41 am |
I love collage too… this piece is beautiful!
Hooray! Typepad is working today!
xo,
KB
Posted by: Karen Beth | Nov 14, 2007 at 10:52 am |
i wish there was no such thing as disease of any kind. but it hurts so much when loved ones lose their memories… you did a wonderful job on this. i really like it and relate to it. xoxo nita <3
Posted by: nita from red tin heart | Nov 14, 2007 at 11:01 am |
Also meant to say that I LOVE stitching on pieces like this or art pieces in general. It is something I hope to work with soon!
Posted by: Karen Beth | Nov 14, 2007 at 11:27 am |
This is wonderful. I find that my grandparents come out in the things I do too. I like that. It makes me feel like they are near.
Posted by: Heather | Nov 14, 2007 at 11:58 am |
What a tribute to your Grandmother. Sorry about her illness. It is interesting what does come out of our subconscious minds. This is lovely.
Posted by: Cris | Nov 14, 2007 at 3:21 pm |
Beautiful piece – how it all came together, how it all has underlying meanings you didn’t even know until done. That’s the best part about intuitive art – that discovery at the end. Maybe all art. Love the penmanship background piece – not even taught anymore, is it?
Posted by: tammy vitale | Nov 14, 2007 at 6:25 pm |
Nice collage. I love the little sweaters and the story that goes with the working out of the collage.
Posted by: suki | Nov 14, 2007 at 6:39 pm |
So beautiful, rich and meaningful. I love hearing the story behind it.
Posted by: Jennifer | Nov 15, 2007 at 4:56 pm |