Saturday, December 19, 2009

My First Challenge

I've always liked reading and  looking at art blogs, even before I started my own.  And I've always wanted to take part in one of the many weekly challenges that I run across.  But for some reason, I  felt that  you had to be a blogger to participate--I know you don't have to--that's just the way I felt. So now that I too am a blogger, I wanted to look for a challenge.

I was reading Betzie's blog--her blog is called Time Enough, and  it's one of the many creative blogs that I've found in the last couple of weeks (there are so many, it's almost overwhelming). She was talking about letters that she had that her grandfather had sent to her grandmother during WWI, and how glad she was that she  had these treasures. So she submitted a piece of art using bits of the letters and photos of her grandparents for The Three Muses challenge of the week, which is mail art.

Like all vintage artists, I too collect old postcards, stamps, letters, and any kind of old interesting mail, to use  in my art.


My most favorite are the handwritten letters.  I think that those are an art in themself, and it's rapidly becoming a lost one.  I mean, let's face it, who really writes letters anymore when you can email or better yet pick up your cell phone and call anyone in the country for free.

So after reading Betzie's post, it  made me think of my grandparents, and that I would like to incoporate them in a piece of mail art for The Three Muses challenge. Thank you Betzie for giving me this spark!  My grandparents were both Italian.  My grandfather's father came to Ellis Island in 1892 and my grandfather was born in 1897.  My grandmother came to America when she was around 20.

They were your typical Italian grandparents.  They never held back their emotions--always laughing or yelling at each other.  When my grandmother was really mad at my grandfather she would start yelling at him in Italian so us kids wouldn't understand  her--she was definitely the boss, and she was also an excellent cook, which I never really appreciated when I was growing up--but I sure would  now!

To begin with,  I turned a gallery wrapped canvas over and collaged  the old  postcards that I had onto it.



 Unfortunately, I don't have any old  correspondence of my  grandparents, but I did find some very old photos from my cousin's Facebook--thanks Carol!!


This photo was  most likely taken around 1922.  My grandparents were in their early twenties, and their baby here is their first born, my father.  He was not quite a year old, and at the time that this photo was taken, she was already expecting her 2nd child.  They went on to have 5 children altogether, which I included in this optical lens hanging above them.


They also had 11 grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, so even though they're no longer with us, their journey together is still continuing.

32 comments:

nick said...

i love it! isn't ancestry fun!!

Sandy said...

OMG this is absolutely stunning.
Brilliant idea and work. Love them.

Elizabeth Golden said...

This is wonderful. I love the story behind your piece!

Mary said...

This is perfect!! I love that you used the back of the canvas!! Brilliant is correct!! And not just a beautiful piece of art, they are your family!!! Wonderful!!!

Taluula said...

Diane welcome to blogland, and thank you for choosing the Three Muses for your first challenge. And what a beautiful, clever, creative and stunning piece you have created for the mail art theme. I loved the story behind this, and that you used the reverse of the canvas to make this gorgeous future heirloom and thank you for sharing it with us.

Silke Powers said...

This is just so beautiful! And so very creative!! And on top of it so incredibly meaningful!! Love it!! :) Silke

Janny said...

So beautiful!

Janine said...

AHH, that is a brilliant idea to turn the stretched canvas the other way.
Phantastic.
Where do you get this idea?
I love your entry very much. It´s very well done and beautiful and so nice that you honoured your ancesters.

indybev said...

What a thoughtful and well done heritage piece for your first challenge entry! Much applause!! We'll look forward to seeing you again next week! Thanks for playing along.

Carol said...

Thanks for letting me know about your blog! This is absolutely amazing. I love what you did with the old photos and the whole story about our ancestors! You are so talented, I can't wait to read more! Have a great holiday...hope to see you soon.

Cousin Carol

Twyla and Lindsey said...

This is wonderful! I Love how you used the Back side of the canvas! Great challenge! Hope you're having a nice weekend! Twyla

Say It In Color said...

Wow, gir...I LOVE your stuff!!!....and what a great blog...already!!! Looking forward to more ART ADVENTURE after Christmas...see you at Mysteles!! Awesome blog....really!

Lori Saul said...

Beautiful and expressive story and art- a brilliant entry!

SHAWN said...

Welcome Diane, to the world of blogging. I love the story about your grandparents coming from Italy. You have preserved their story beautifully here. This is a gorgeous vintage piece. It sounds like you really enjoyed making it-that's so important.. I look forward to stopping by often for a peek. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog...Keep on Creating!

Terri Kahrs said...

Welcome to the world of Blogland, Diane! If you adore blogging as much as I do, you'll be in Blog Heaven! Love this piece, and thank you so much for your visit! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas! Holiday Hugs, Terri

Micki Wilde said...

Thanks for visiting my blog today Diane!
You really are very talented, I love the creation you made and that you showed the process of how you made it!

Micki x

Anonymous said...

so cool!!!

Unknown said...

great blog and art Love your little helper too!!

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hi Diane! Such a wonderful creation! You did a really great job for the challenge. The old postcards and photos are a beautiful collection of treasured goodies. The optical lens photo is a perfect touch too!

Happy Holidays!

Hugs,
Lisa :)

Ozstuff said...

Wow! Your artwork is superb. I can't believe you have been holding back when you have so much to offer. Thanks so much for choosing the Three Muses as your first "stop" along the challenge route. I hope you will come back again and again. We are a very easy going bunch of people. There are no rights and wrongs, no one type of art is preferred to another. It is true that it isn't necessary to have a blog to take part in challenges. I think it just makes it easier - especially for people to comment - and I see you have lots of comments.
Thanks so much for taking part in this week's challenge. Your work is amazing.

Adrian said...

Hi Diane! You can read all about PanPastels at PanPastel.com. I bought mine at Dick Blick. The colors I showed on my blog is from the 10 color set of bright colors. They sell them in sets and sometimes it's hard to decide which one to start with.
Your new blog is just beautiful! I enjoy reading your posts. And, yes, I, too miss the activity of class with Mystele.

Buffy said...

Love.love this. Its gorgeous.

Betzie said...

Hi Diane!
Thanks for linking back to me in your post, that was very sweet of you to do.
I just love how you did your collage and that is such a sweet keepsake for you of your grandparents!!! I love how they touched your life as mine did also...thanks for sharing, really wonderful! Merry Christmas!!! Betzie

Anonymous said...

I just love what you did with your vintage collection and your grandparents photos. Looks absolutely fabulous, I love it so much. How you turned the canvas around also!
Thank you for sharing this, I loved reading it and was at the edge of my seat with every step and process, what made it special!

Have a great week!

Julie

Lisa said...

Diane,
This is such a great post, and I love the idea and your creation! You know, it's funny about the letter-writing you speak of. I have a blog, which isn't public yet (I'm still working on it), which I plan to incorporate fake romance letters along with various other projects that are more "me". Writing is my utmost passion, before painting, gardening, or anything else I get my hands into. Your post reminded me of the 4 years I aggressively was into my family genealogy. I have saved so many things and have great grandparents doilies and such inside a little wooden display box. I love the idea you have here. It‘ll be something you can pass down. Wow-I sure did ramble here. I don‘t usually do that unless it‘s something that really sparks me..

Lisa Lectura Creations said...

Hi again Diane! Thanks so much for your sweet message! I really appreciate your visit! :)

DMG said...

This is suh a beautiful and loving shrine to your grandparents. The Three Muses is the BEST challenge blog around, btw!

My Vintage Studio said...

Your art work is stunning...beautiful!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!

Sharon

Deb Harvey said...

Wonderful!!! :-)

Have a very, Merry Christmas!!!

Tara @ Aquamarine Art said...

Wow, I really love this (actually I love all your work!) but what I like best is the idea of turning the canvas over. Something I would never have thought of but is such a great example of looking at something you see all the time in a different way.

Sandy said...

Very nice. I like the story you you told.
Sandy from Gut Art

Hanne said...

This is amazing! Love this beautiful piece!
Hanne

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