Sunday, November 28, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
More Christmas fair.. uPsIdE dOwN calendars
Teesha Moore Inspired Calendars... I think I saw this exact thing somewhere, birds are too cute. I made some of these for the Christmas fair at the hospital coming up soon. 
Yes, the photo is upside down...
Yes, the photo is upside down...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Some of my favorite places to shop online
http://www.mexicanfolkart.com/main.html
http://www.pelhamgrayson.com/specials.html
http://www.skybluepink.com/index.html
http://www.pelhamgrayson.com/specials.html
http://www.skybluepink.com/index.html
Thursday, November 11, 2010
TAG: Star Caves
The Star Caves are on the westerly coast of Imagi, near the Hyden Sea. It was a short hike north through Knotting to get to the Red Bead River. I found a boat that took me north all the way to where the Gold Band River intersects. It took two days to get there, but it was a lovely trip. I was able to prepare a nice stew to share with a fellow passenger named Tello, who in turn offered us a delightful sweet cake.
I planned to travel on the ground from there but Tello introduced me to a ZuZu bird named Diga. Diga offered me air passage to the star caves in exchange for some bread. I couldn’t resist getting to know this magnificent creature better, so I took her up on her offer. We flew low to the ground so I could see the beautiful landscape and arrived at the star caves at nightfall, which is the perfect time to arrive. Diga told me a bit about the caves history and said she would see me again and flew off. I decided to explore the caves.
The star caves are amazing. The legend is that eons ago, far away in another world there was a very beautiful princess named Star. Everyone loved her and men everywhere wanted to marry her. Whoever married her would be the future king so she had many suitors. Star promised her eternal love to one man. But, just as soon they said “I do” her husband was shot in the heart with an arrow by a jealous suitor who wished to be King. Star was heartbroken and very lonely. But eventually she met another man named El and married in secret, because the rule of the land was one marriage only.
The King was tricked into believing that El was the man who murdered Stars first husband. The King declared El a criminal and sent his men to kill him and rescue her. Star escaped fearing the King was going to punish her for marrying a second time. More importantly she was pregnant and would give birth soon. She flew from the world as fast as she could; faster and faster until she could no longer stay awake; exhausted she crashed here in Imagi forming these caves.
Soon after the local villagers came to the caves and discovered these tiny little flowers they call “min-ango” which means “little stars.” These tiny sparkling flowers are very unique. They only grow in this cave and only bloom at night. The villagers believe that these tiny sparkling flowers are Stars children. When the wind blows from the south the tiny flowers are lifted out of the caves and blown into the sky, and it is believed this is how stars are born. Because of this the caves are very sacred.
As I approached I could see thousands of the tiny star flowers inside the cave. I could hear a gentle whistling through the rock that almost sounded like whispers as I approached. As I entered the cave the scent of the flowers was intoxicating, like a good strong tea. The flowers actually seem to dance in the air and you can touch their soft sparkling petals as they float by. You can’t help but be in awe of the beauty and feel the hope that surrounds you as you walk through the cave. Folks who live near the star caves come here when they need inspiration or have lost hope.
I continued to walk deeper into the cave. It seemed that the tiny stars were guiding me along. The cave takes many twists and turns as it goes deeper. I finally reached a place where I noticed most of the stars have stopped and have made a wide circle around me, except for a few that have circled a loose rock on the ground. I picked it up and realized it was a very unusual rock if it was a rock at all. It was a very colorful object. As soon as I did this the stars began dancing around me and the whispering noise I had been hearing sounded like music and giggling. I was suddenly surrounded by the tiny light flowers and they lifted me up on my back, and head first began carrying me out of the cave ever so gently. It was like floating on a soft cloud. I dropped the object thinking I should not have touched it but as I let it go the flowers encircled it and placed it gently back in my hand. I was carried to the opening of the cave and set gently on the ground. As I faced the cave I could see them all still dancing and giggling and then suddenly they were all gone, and it became pitch black. As I turned to leave there was a woman standing directly in front in me.
She was no ordinary woman, she was beautiful and timeless. She wore a dress that was a rich turquoise with streaks of fuchsia, covered with tiny sparking stones. Her long thick hair curled as it blew in the warm night wind. “You have been given a gift” she said in a voice as light as air. “um, yes I guess” holding out the object in my hand. “I don’t know what it is though” She smiled at me and held out a small container in her hand. She said “keep it in this when you are not using it, you don’t want to overtax its powers” I took the container from her and placed the object in it. Her warm hands clasped over the top and bottom of mine holding them on the object. She continued, “This will help you to see what others cannot.” I asked “Who are you?” as she moved her hands from mine. I let the object drop in the box and it snapped shut and locked. The woman quickly faded away.
Here is a picture of the object I found in the cave. Its unusal isn't it?
I planned to travel on the ground from there but Tello introduced me to a ZuZu bird named Diga. Diga offered me air passage to the star caves in exchange for some bread. I couldn’t resist getting to know this magnificent creature better, so I took her up on her offer. We flew low to the ground so I could see the beautiful landscape and arrived at the star caves at nightfall, which is the perfect time to arrive. Diga told me a bit about the caves history and said she would see me again and flew off. I decided to explore the caves.
The star caves are amazing. The legend is that eons ago, far away in another world there was a very beautiful princess named Star. Everyone loved her and men everywhere wanted to marry her. Whoever married her would be the future king so she had many suitors. Star promised her eternal love to one man. But, just as soon they said “I do” her husband was shot in the heart with an arrow by a jealous suitor who wished to be King. Star was heartbroken and very lonely. But eventually she met another man named El and married in secret, because the rule of the land was one marriage only.
The King was tricked into believing that El was the man who murdered Stars first husband. The King declared El a criminal and sent his men to kill him and rescue her. Star escaped fearing the King was going to punish her for marrying a second time. More importantly she was pregnant and would give birth soon. She flew from the world as fast as she could; faster and faster until she could no longer stay awake; exhausted she crashed here in Imagi forming these caves.
Soon after the local villagers came to the caves and discovered these tiny little flowers they call “min-ango” which means “little stars.” These tiny sparkling flowers are very unique. They only grow in this cave and only bloom at night. The villagers believe that these tiny sparkling flowers are Stars children. When the wind blows from the south the tiny flowers are lifted out of the caves and blown into the sky, and it is believed this is how stars are born. Because of this the caves are very sacred.
As I approached I could see thousands of the tiny star flowers inside the cave. I could hear a gentle whistling through the rock that almost sounded like whispers as I approached. As I entered the cave the scent of the flowers was intoxicating, like a good strong tea. The flowers actually seem to dance in the air and you can touch their soft sparkling petals as they float by. You can’t help but be in awe of the beauty and feel the hope that surrounds you as you walk through the cave. Folks who live near the star caves come here when they need inspiration or have lost hope.
I continued to walk deeper into the cave. It seemed that the tiny stars were guiding me along. The cave takes many twists and turns as it goes deeper. I finally reached a place where I noticed most of the stars have stopped and have made a wide circle around me, except for a few that have circled a loose rock on the ground. I picked it up and realized it was a very unusual rock if it was a rock at all. It was a very colorful object. As soon as I did this the stars began dancing around me and the whispering noise I had been hearing sounded like music and giggling. I was suddenly surrounded by the tiny light flowers and they lifted me up on my back, and head first began carrying me out of the cave ever so gently. It was like floating on a soft cloud. I dropped the object thinking I should not have touched it but as I let it go the flowers encircled it and placed it gently back in my hand. I was carried to the opening of the cave and set gently on the ground. As I faced the cave I could see them all still dancing and giggling and then suddenly they were all gone, and it became pitch black. As I turned to leave there was a woman standing directly in front in me.
She was no ordinary woman, she was beautiful and timeless. She wore a dress that was a rich turquoise with streaks of fuchsia, covered with tiny sparking stones. Her long thick hair curled as it blew in the warm night wind. “You have been given a gift” she said in a voice as light as air. “um, yes I guess” holding out the object in my hand. “I don’t know what it is though” She smiled at me and held out a small container in her hand. She said “keep it in this when you are not using it, you don’t want to overtax its powers” I took the container from her and placed the object in it. Her warm hands clasped over the top and bottom of mine holding them on the object. She continued, “This will help you to see what others cannot.” I asked “Who are you?” as she moved her hands from mine. I let the object drop in the box and it snapped shut and locked. The woman quickly faded away.
Here is a picture of the object I found in the cave. Its unusal isn't it?
TAG: Samhain
I woke up in the morning with a mystery on my mind. Last night I had gone to bed thinking about the trip I was about to take to the Star Caves. Apparently though, during the night something very peculiar happened. I woke to see letters strung together on my night table, like beads on a bracelet of some sort with a wood bead attached. The letters formed a word and they were slipping off the table and on to the floor. I got out of bed and ran over to retrieve them, but as I reached them they were gone. I found myself standing next to my bed wondering what I had seen.
Since today is Samhain the veil between these worlds and the “otherworlds” is thin. Perhaps this was a message from beyond, if I could remember the word I saw it may have importance.
Duboi asked me to extend my stay a bit longer to attend the Samhaim celebration this evening. There will be a huge celebration at the Guild Hall, a bonfire, costumes and sharing of the harvest. It will be fun, I agreed to postpone my trip, it seems wrong to turn down such gracious hosts. I will depart at the witching hour instead.
Since today is Samhain the veil between these worlds and the “otherworlds” is thin. Perhaps this was a message from beyond, if I could remember the word I saw it may have importance.
Duboi asked me to extend my stay a bit longer to attend the Samhaim celebration this evening. There will be a huge celebration at the Guild Hall, a bonfire, costumes and sharing of the harvest. It will be fun, I agreed to postpone my trip, it seems wrong to turn down such gracious hosts. I will depart at the witching hour instead.
TAG: Keggy answers the call part 2
Calling part 2
The room before me was magnificent in every way! The ceiling was incredibly high, and a large circular window in the center revealed the sky. The sky was pitch black with thousands of sparkling lights. There were crimson, cobalt and amber mists that moved about over my head, and off to one side what appeared to be the most incredible fire red moon I had ever seen. The walls were the palest of pinks and were covered with magnificent pieces of art. The floor was a deep chestnut with black and white patterned carpets scattered about. There were lit candles of every size and color scattered throughout the room on giant silver candlestick holders dripping with crystals. There were topiaries and fresh roses in vases and a roaring fireplace along side of a huge sofa covered with the palest of green satin pillows.
“It’s so beautiful!” I said out loud. A voice behind me spoke “Why thank you my dear, Welcome to Imagi” I spun to see who was speaking and saw an elegant woman dressed in a flowing yellow gown standing beside me. “Welcome Keggy Featherwolf, glad you could come so quickly, I hope you had a good trip” I curtseyed and offered her my bundles of daisies and basil. She thanked me and smiled at me so genuinely I was moved. She handed me a map and explained to me that I was called upon to explore the nation of “Imagi.”
Over a sumptuous meal followed by tea and berries she told me that I was welcomed to stay at the Guild Hall until I was ready to depart. At some point Duboi returned to show me to my room where I immediately fell into bed and into a deep sleep. I woke up during the night wondering if the metallic tube, the Guild Hall and the entire trip were just a dream. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness I could see a crystal pitcher of water on the table next to my bed and leaning against it was the map of Imagi. I knew I was far from home.
——————————————————————————–
I was awoken in the morning by the lovely sweet smell of cinnamon. I bathed and dressed and headed down to the main hall where Duboi was holding a breakfast tray for me that was fit for a queen. After eating he told me a little about the Imagi-nation and said it was best to learn more on my own. I decided to plan my adventure as I go and travel above land as much as possible, but my first stop would be what caught my eye first on the map, the Star caves. I am not sure where I will go after that but after speaking with Duboi I know that when I leave the guild hall in Crimson I will be visiting the Pattern Islands, Mt Cloud (they say you can see all of Imagi from its peak). Jagons Temple, Basil Fields (since I just love basil) Shadow tip, Bell Rock, Lake Sam, the Crayon Gardens, Lost key Island, ZuZu temple, Dark Rock forest, Button Lake, Pearl Temple, The mumbling stones, MT Ghost, and I must see the Plum Ocean up close! So much to see and no time to waste! Tomorrow morning I will be off to the Star Caves!
The room before me was magnificent in every way! The ceiling was incredibly high, and a large circular window in the center revealed the sky. The sky was pitch black with thousands of sparkling lights. There were crimson, cobalt and amber mists that moved about over my head, and off to one side what appeared to be the most incredible fire red moon I had ever seen. The walls were the palest of pinks and were covered with magnificent pieces of art. The floor was a deep chestnut with black and white patterned carpets scattered about. There were lit candles of every size and color scattered throughout the room on giant silver candlestick holders dripping with crystals. There were topiaries and fresh roses in vases and a roaring fireplace along side of a huge sofa covered with the palest of green satin pillows.
“It’s so beautiful!” I said out loud. A voice behind me spoke “Why thank you my dear, Welcome to Imagi” I spun to see who was speaking and saw an elegant woman dressed in a flowing yellow gown standing beside me. “Welcome Keggy Featherwolf, glad you could come so quickly, I hope you had a good trip” I curtseyed and offered her my bundles of daisies and basil. She thanked me and smiled at me so genuinely I was moved. She handed me a map and explained to me that I was called upon to explore the nation of “Imagi.”
Over a sumptuous meal followed by tea and berries she told me that I was welcomed to stay at the Guild Hall until I was ready to depart. At some point Duboi returned to show me to my room where I immediately fell into bed and into a deep sleep. I woke up during the night wondering if the metallic tube, the Guild Hall and the entire trip were just a dream. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness I could see a crystal pitcher of water on the table next to my bed and leaning against it was the map of Imagi. I knew I was far from home.
——————————————————————————–
I was awoken in the morning by the lovely sweet smell of cinnamon. I bathed and dressed and headed down to the main hall where Duboi was holding a breakfast tray for me that was fit for a queen. After eating he told me a little about the Imagi-nation and said it was best to learn more on my own. I decided to plan my adventure as I go and travel above land as much as possible, but my first stop would be what caught my eye first on the map, the Star caves. I am not sure where I will go after that but after speaking with Duboi I know that when I leave the guild hall in Crimson I will be visiting the Pattern Islands, Mt Cloud (they say you can see all of Imagi from its peak). Jagons Temple, Basil Fields (since I just love basil) Shadow tip, Bell Rock, Lake Sam, the Crayon Gardens, Lost key Island, ZuZu temple, Dark Rock forest, Button Lake, Pearl Temple, The mumbling stones, MT Ghost, and I must see the Plum Ocean up close! So much to see and no time to waste! Tomorrow morning I will be off to the Star Caves!
TAG: Keggy answers the call part 1
It was a particularly lovely morning in my cottage, the rain had just stopped except for a light drizzle still falling. I just finished baking several loaves of cornbread and stepped outside, the air smelled sweet and clean. It was a good day to take a short journey to one of my friends in the upper worlds.
I typically like to journey through a tiny hole in the roots of a huge willow tree that lies just beyond my garden. So I wandered out past the fragrant herbs and myrtle to what is my favorite traveling tree. I could hear a woodpecker tapping away at the tree, which usually meant there was a message for me, but not always. I could smell the basil and mint growing in my garden and thought I better pick some when I return home. As I approached the willow tree I noticed the glint of metal at its base, right where my entrance should be.
As I got closer I made a startling discover. There was an ornate metallic tube stuck in the entrance hole! I removed it from the hole easily and examined the odd device. The metal was embossed with curlicues, dots, dashes and the letters “T.A.G” were in the center. It was encrusted with all different colored gems on one end along with a few gears and screws. I turned a small crank on the end cap and it slid off as a puff of steam escaped.
Inside was a scroll of delicate gold rimmed paper with writing and a tiny skeleton key. I pulled out the scroll gently and unrolled it. It read, “Your presence is cordially requested at Guild HQ. Please come promptly!” On the bottom of the parchment in gold writing it said “Traveling Artists Guild,” and was dated today! My heart was pounding wildly as I looked at the tiny map enclosed showing me how to travel there through the tiny hole in my Willow tree that I was all too familiar with. I was so excited to receive such a glorious invitation!
I quickly went back into my cottage and packed my travel case and knapsack for my trip. I took along a few loaves of fresh baked corn bread, herb butter, tea, chocolates, a parcel of meat-cakes, a flask of cider, wedge of cheese, apron, scarf, candle, skillet, pocket knife, 3 gold coins, my best pen, journal, bag of magic dust, art box and my traveling companion Henney. I posted a note on my door that said “be back soon” and headed back to the willow tree, grabbling bunches of basil and daisies on my way. I made myself as tiny as I could then headed right down the hole.
It’s always wondrous to travel to other worlds, much like an amusement park ride I hear, but better. This wasn’t going to be a long trip at all. I slipped down the Willow roots till I hit the Mitzie line root. I slid along that till I came to golden rock; the map showed me that I was to travel to the end of the Chalke tunnel directly to its right. I followed the tunnel down till I hit a fork and headed left. I could feel a breeze and hear water moving and knew I was getting close to the Booku stream. When I got to the stream there was a small red boat with a tiny white sail tied to a dock. I slipped onto the boat and untied it from the dock, and it gently moved away without me doing a thing.
The water below me was clear and luminescent; it lit the tunnel. I could see dozens of fish in all sizes, colors and patterns had surrounded the boat. They were carrying the tiny boat and directing it downstream, it took me quite a ways. The tunnel walls that surround the stream was a deep dark rumpled red, and at one point I could reach out and touch the walls and it felt like soft velvet! It was a peaceful ride, but a bit bumpy at times. As I rested I took a chocolate from my bag and plopped it in my mouth, and thought, this is the life! The boat finally stopped at a small dock where I saw a sign that read “Guild HQ.” I jumped out onto the small dock and gathered up my belongings. I took out a loaf of bread, pulled it into pieces and tossed it to the fish to thank them.
It was pretty dark but there were many torches lit around the dock. I picked up one and headed down the tunnel carrying my trunk; knapsack, daisies and basil. I finally reached a large door that was slightly ajar. As I reached for the knocker the door opened to reveal a very, very tall thin man wearing a purple top hat and tails. He said in a very low voice “Welcome to Guild Hall Keggy Featherwolf, welcome indeed!” he then winked and saluted me in whimsical way and with a huge smile, introduced himself saying. “Duboi, at your service, please allow me to escort you to the main hall.” Duboi carried my trunk as I followed him down a long corridor. Then he stopped at a large pair of mahogany doors and swung them open. I gasped as I saw what was inside.
I typically like to journey through a tiny hole in the roots of a huge willow tree that lies just beyond my garden. So I wandered out past the fragrant herbs and myrtle to what is my favorite traveling tree. I could hear a woodpecker tapping away at the tree, which usually meant there was a message for me, but not always. I could smell the basil and mint growing in my garden and thought I better pick some when I return home. As I approached the willow tree I noticed the glint of metal at its base, right where my entrance should be.
As I got closer I made a startling discover. There was an ornate metallic tube stuck in the entrance hole! I removed it from the hole easily and examined the odd device. The metal was embossed with curlicues, dots, dashes and the letters “T.A.G” were in the center. It was encrusted with all different colored gems on one end along with a few gears and screws. I turned a small crank on the end cap and it slid off as a puff of steam escaped.
Inside was a scroll of delicate gold rimmed paper with writing and a tiny skeleton key. I pulled out the scroll gently and unrolled it. It read, “Your presence is cordially requested at Guild HQ. Please come promptly!” On the bottom of the parchment in gold writing it said “Traveling Artists Guild,” and was dated today! My heart was pounding wildly as I looked at the tiny map enclosed showing me how to travel there through the tiny hole in my Willow tree that I was all too familiar with. I was so excited to receive such a glorious invitation!
I quickly went back into my cottage and packed my travel case and knapsack for my trip. I took along a few loaves of fresh baked corn bread, herb butter, tea, chocolates, a parcel of meat-cakes, a flask of cider, wedge of cheese, apron, scarf, candle, skillet, pocket knife, 3 gold coins, my best pen, journal, bag of magic dust, art box and my traveling companion Henney. I posted a note on my door that said “be back soon” and headed back to the willow tree, grabbling bunches of basil and daisies on my way. I made myself as tiny as I could then headed right down the hole.
It’s always wondrous to travel to other worlds, much like an amusement park ride I hear, but better. This wasn’t going to be a long trip at all. I slipped down the Willow roots till I hit the Mitzie line root. I slid along that till I came to golden rock; the map showed me that I was to travel to the end of the Chalke tunnel directly to its right. I followed the tunnel down till I hit a fork and headed left. I could feel a breeze and hear water moving and knew I was getting close to the Booku stream. When I got to the stream there was a small red boat with a tiny white sail tied to a dock. I slipped onto the boat and untied it from the dock, and it gently moved away without me doing a thing.
The water below me was clear and luminescent; it lit the tunnel. I could see dozens of fish in all sizes, colors and patterns had surrounded the boat. They were carrying the tiny boat and directing it downstream, it took me quite a ways. The tunnel walls that surround the stream was a deep dark rumpled red, and at one point I could reach out and touch the walls and it felt like soft velvet! It was a peaceful ride, but a bit bumpy at times. As I rested I took a chocolate from my bag and plopped it in my mouth, and thought, this is the life! The boat finally stopped at a small dock where I saw a sign that read “Guild HQ.” I jumped out onto the small dock and gathered up my belongings. I took out a loaf of bread, pulled it into pieces and tossed it to the fish to thank them.
It was pretty dark but there were many torches lit around the dock. I picked up one and headed down the tunnel carrying my trunk; knapsack, daisies and basil. I finally reached a large door that was slightly ajar. As I reached for the knocker the door opened to reveal a very, very tall thin man wearing a purple top hat and tails. He said in a very low voice “Welcome to Guild Hall Keggy Featherwolf, welcome indeed!” he then winked and saluted me in whimsical way and with a huge smile, introduced himself saying. “Duboi, at your service, please allow me to escort you to the main hall.” Duboi carried my trunk as I followed him down a long corridor. Then he stopped at a large pair of mahogany doors and swung them open. I gasped as I saw what was inside.
Traveling artist guild
So, I joined the Traveling Artist Guilds which requires me to post on a fantasy journey I am taking. (On a blog no less.) So, I have a blog over on wordpress that is with the rest of the guild.
I am thinking of posting some of the work here... if I can it will begin to happen today.
Keep in mind nobody is checking my grammar, puncuation or anything else, which is one of the reasons I tend not to blog.
I am thinking of posting some of the work here... if I can it will begin to happen today.
Keep in mind nobody is checking my grammar, puncuation or anything else, which is one of the reasons I tend not to blog.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Blogging
So they say people like me are blog challenged. Guess its true cause I just spent considerable time trying to fix this page and have not gotten far. I don't know how to edit my posts and I don't know how to get my own work on the slideshows. I need a blogging class.
Anywhooo... I am posting here today because its been 4 months since I made my last promise to post regularly. I still haven't taken those paintings apart and I need to buy a new camera that will alow me to upload easily.
Worst of all.. I had to start a new blog! I joined the Traveling Artist Guild and started a blog on wordpress. No, there is nothing on there. I loaded a post.. can't see it. I wanted to load a picture and haven't a clue how to do that.
But on a positive note, I posted this here today. :)
Anywhooo... I am posting here today because its been 4 months since I made my last promise to post regularly. I still haven't taken those paintings apart and I need to buy a new camera that will alow me to upload easily.
Worst of all.. I had to start a new blog! I joined the Traveling Artist Guild and started a blog on wordpress. No, there is nothing on there. I loaded a post.. can't see it. I wanted to load a picture and haven't a clue how to do that.
But on a positive note, I posted this here today. :)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Well
I am really trying to keep this up blog thing and not doing well.
I want to make a short video to document something artistic and bizzare that happened. It is evidence (I feel) that time is not linear and things are not as they appear.
Here is the story that goes with it.. My grandfather was an artist, sculpture, cartoonist and architect who lived from 1886 to 1980. He made thousands of paintings that he sold and gave away, when he died there were still a few hundred in my mothers possession.
My mother and I had moved in with him when I was about 17, and he was in his late eighties. It was my job to keep him company, cook and clean etc. I did that for about two years until he felt more independent (yes thats true)then I moved out on my own. He enjoyed torturing me many ways, but one way was by not allowing me to have any of his artwork. He would give away his paintings all the time. My sisters or other family members (and strangers) would visit and they would always walk out the door with art. But not me because I was not married.
Of course I would object to his ridiculous unfairness that I had to be married, and so would my mom. And on at least two occassions when that happened he gave me a gift. One time he gave me artwork done by my grandmother, a beautiful needlepoint. I didn't get to keep that, it was regifted to my sister by my mother years later. He also gave me a painting of a women with a cow someone did, only because he felt nobody would ever want it.
There was one painting he did that I liked a lot as a kid. It was of a castle. He would offer it to people when they came over, he would offer to sell it to them dirt cheap. He would tell them I wanted it but I could only hae it if I paid him $500 dollars but they could have it for $200. He wouldn't give it away because he was afraid they would give it to me. I couldn't afford it since I only got paid 25 dollars a week to take care of him. When he died my mom gave me that painting, but in the months before he died (age 93) he removed the frame and threw it away and touched up the painting adding "people" to it. Take what you want from that, but he was mean.
Over the years there was another painting I liked. It was a watercolor of the lighthouse at Montauk Point on Long Island. My sisters and I all liked it. It hung in our living room for years. I wanted it because it went with my house and I had little else from him but the doctored castle. But my sisters did not agree I should have it. My mother kept it in the basement, she didn't know what to do with it and one day I think she was pretty much convinced I should have it. When she went to retrieve it is was missing.
A couple more years went by and lots of anger festered in me about not getting artwork. I finnally poured my heart out to my mom (that she gave his art to strangers but not me just like he did) It was pretty much all gone by this point. She said she had a few pieces left that nobody wanted and offered them to me.
Here is where it gets interesting. She sent me home with several really old pieces. One of them was a watercolor piece of a lake or river with a hideous frame with cracked glass, the mat was yellow and the painting had a tear in it from the glass cutting into it. I stuck that painting behind my couch where it stayed.
About a year later someone moved the couch and we saw the glass had broken more tearing the painting even more. I took the painting out of the frame and decided to store it in my portfolio. But, I couldn't fit it in because the mat was so huge, so I decided to remove the mat.
As I pulled the tape off the back of the mat I could see that there was a second paper taped behind tha painting, which was odd. I pulled it back and I don't even know how to explain the feeling.. It was like I had lost my mind and the universe was just spinning around my head. The second paper had an identical painting of the montauk lighthouse on it that had gone missing years before!
It was so unbeleivable I just stopped pulling on it I thought I would faint. The two paintings are still stuck together now because I want to video pulling them apart, even though I can't imagine anyone believing this story even if they see the video. From what I can see the painting looks similar but different from the one that went missing years ago but essentially its the same.
Of all the hundreds of paintings my grandfather did in this size, for him to have accidentally taped it behind the other and for me to wind up with it so many years later (70 years later) is just nuts. It makes me wonder did he wonder what happened to this painting and do it again? Because he didn't repeat scenes (unless he was paid too do that) Did he talk about it to me when I lived with him and I just blurred it out.. cause he talked a lot.
So in effect what I have would be his original.. original.. painting of the Montauk Lighthouse... which is so cool.
So what I will post is the video (hopefully) that I will make when the two paintings are pulled apart, and I also have a picture somewhere that has the other montauk point painting in the background... hopefully the difference is obvious... we shall see. I can't wait to hang it in my living room :)
I want to make a short video to document something artistic and bizzare that happened. It is evidence (I feel) that time is not linear and things are not as they appear.
Here is the story that goes with it.. My grandfather was an artist, sculpture, cartoonist and architect who lived from 1886 to 1980. He made thousands of paintings that he sold and gave away, when he died there were still a few hundred in my mothers possession.
My mother and I had moved in with him when I was about 17, and he was in his late eighties. It was my job to keep him company, cook and clean etc. I did that for about two years until he felt more independent (yes thats true)then I moved out on my own. He enjoyed torturing me many ways, but one way was by not allowing me to have any of his artwork. He would give away his paintings all the time. My sisters or other family members (and strangers) would visit and they would always walk out the door with art. But not me because I was not married.
Of course I would object to his ridiculous unfairness that I had to be married, and so would my mom. And on at least two occassions when that happened he gave me a gift. One time he gave me artwork done by my grandmother, a beautiful needlepoint. I didn't get to keep that, it was regifted to my sister by my mother years later. He also gave me a painting of a women with a cow someone did, only because he felt nobody would ever want it.
There was one painting he did that I liked a lot as a kid. It was of a castle. He would offer it to people when they came over, he would offer to sell it to them dirt cheap. He would tell them I wanted it but I could only hae it if I paid him $500 dollars but they could have it for $200. He wouldn't give it away because he was afraid they would give it to me. I couldn't afford it since I only got paid 25 dollars a week to take care of him. When he died my mom gave me that painting, but in the months before he died (age 93) he removed the frame and threw it away and touched up the painting adding "people" to it. Take what you want from that, but he was mean.
Over the years there was another painting I liked. It was a watercolor of the lighthouse at Montauk Point on Long Island. My sisters and I all liked it. It hung in our living room for years. I wanted it because it went with my house and I had little else from him but the doctored castle. But my sisters did not agree I should have it. My mother kept it in the basement, she didn't know what to do with it and one day I think she was pretty much convinced I should have it. When she went to retrieve it is was missing.
A couple more years went by and lots of anger festered in me about not getting artwork. I finnally poured my heart out to my mom (that she gave his art to strangers but not me just like he did) It was pretty much all gone by this point. She said she had a few pieces left that nobody wanted and offered them to me.
Here is where it gets interesting. She sent me home with several really old pieces. One of them was a watercolor piece of a lake or river with a hideous frame with cracked glass, the mat was yellow and the painting had a tear in it from the glass cutting into it. I stuck that painting behind my couch where it stayed.
About a year later someone moved the couch and we saw the glass had broken more tearing the painting even more. I took the painting out of the frame and decided to store it in my portfolio. But, I couldn't fit it in because the mat was so huge, so I decided to remove the mat.
As I pulled the tape off the back of the mat I could see that there was a second paper taped behind tha painting, which was odd. I pulled it back and I don't even know how to explain the feeling.. It was like I had lost my mind and the universe was just spinning around my head. The second paper had an identical painting of the montauk lighthouse on it that had gone missing years before!
It was so unbeleivable I just stopped pulling on it I thought I would faint. The two paintings are still stuck together now because I want to video pulling them apart, even though I can't imagine anyone believing this story even if they see the video. From what I can see the painting looks similar but different from the one that went missing years ago but essentially its the same.
Of all the hundreds of paintings my grandfather did in this size, for him to have accidentally taped it behind the other and for me to wind up with it so many years later (70 years later) is just nuts. It makes me wonder did he wonder what happened to this painting and do it again? Because he didn't repeat scenes (unless he was paid too do that) Did he talk about it to me when I lived with him and I just blurred it out.. cause he talked a lot.
So in effect what I have would be his original.. original.. painting of the Montauk Lighthouse... which is so cool.
So what I will post is the video (hopefully) that I will make when the two paintings are pulled apart, and I also have a picture somewhere that has the other montauk point painting in the background... hopefully the difference is obvious... we shall see. I can't wait to hang it in my living room :)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Here we go again...
I realize my biggest problems with this thing is that
1) I don't know how use the blog and
2) I don't remember to use it
3) I know that I am going to mispell, use bad grammar, wrong punctuation and whatever else... which keeps me from trying.
But, I have found I keep saying I should work on that blog, so work on it I will.
Today March 28 2010 I hereby promise to work on this thing.
1) I don't know how use the blog and
2) I don't remember to use it
3) I know that I am going to mispell, use bad grammar, wrong punctuation and whatever else... which keeps me from trying.
But, I have found I keep saying I should work on that blog, so work on it I will.
Today March 28 2010 I hereby promise to work on this thing.
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