.JPG)
So I started looking through my 'stuff' for an image, and I just wasn't satisfied. And in the meantime, I've been cleaning out my art room (it's getting painted this weekend!), and I found this vintage postcard that I don't even remember getting.
I love these old postcards--I have them everywhere--I really need to get more organized. What I like even better is when they have writing on the back, which this one did:
Do you see the postmark on there--it's dated Nov., 1911--that's almost 99 years old! Do you believe that--I just get so excited when I'm holding something that old. Someone purchased this postcard 99 years ago, bought their 1 cent stamp, and mailed it off. In this case, it was Clara sending it to her friend Olga. She starts out the message by saying "Dear Friend"--isn't that so cute--"Dear Friend"? Nowadays, you're greeting will be Hi or Hey, or sometimes we don't even put a greeting in and just start writing our message, or should I say typing. This is why I loved that era--they were just so ......proper? refined?--I don't know what the word is, but they were just SO....
And I think that Clara would be tickled pink if she knew that we were discussing her postcard and message on the internet, and better yet I was using it for a piece of art. But first we'd have to explain what the word internet meant, and then I'm sure she would be very excited.
I started out with a plain wood shadowbox (50 cents at a garage sale), and collaged copies of handwritten letters on it, and then over that I collaged scrapbook paper with hearts punched out. I forgot about taking a picture until midway, but you'll get the idea--
And then I made 5 copies of the postcard, and cut them into pieces, so I could layer them on top of each other to get a dimensional look--
And then I just finished embellishing. The dimensional look of the piece doesn't show up very well in the photo, but it's pretty cool looking in person. I like this time of year, when nothing much is going on, and I can fool around like this--it's alot easier just to put the one image down, and be done. But starting in Spring, I start with the art fairs, and I don't have as much time. Yes I really do go out and talk to real people, and I enjoy it, but I also like all of you computer people too! So, until later, dear friends : )
48 comments:
The first thing I spied was the delicious and very funny quote, complete with transparent lovers. What a fantastic and original idea. Then I read the story of your journey through the process and marvelled at the complexities and the time it must have taken. I love this a lot. Superb artwork and great sense of humour.
Cleverly creative! So perfect for Valentine's Day, with its fun, its romance,its cute message, its Victorian lovers beneath a demure umbrella. Love what you came up with, frame of hearts, metal adornment, and all. :-)
This is great!
That´s a wonderful piece of work and it reminds me of a very old german song called "under an umbrella in the afternoon".
That´s the perfect illustration to the song.
Very cute piece with a lot of steps!
Isn't it amazing that a piece of ephemera that was suppose to last maybe a few years at the most has lasted 99 years! I too love old postcards and photos.
Smiles
What a treasure, love your shadowbox art!
I hope that every one wil ENLARGE it Diane !
And indeed ...the quote made me giggle to. What a unique and excellent ARTwork.
Glad that i've seen this.
I love all old things , and I really love how you gave it dimension...just brilliant!
Beautiful Diane, I finally got caught up with my work, so its nice to finally visit. Your right that era was so refined, I heard people presented a calling card before they visited each other homes funny. Love your butterfly angels I love that stained old paper.Your face you sketched is really good! I hope you do more of these, your right- patience is the number one priority when doing a work of art lots of times I know when I rush something I'm never happy with it, I think its the excitement of starting a new project is where the rushing begins. Best Wishes, Sincerely Jonny
Oh so neat thank you so much for sharing. I just love it!!!
Carrie
Oh, Diane! I really, really, really love this piece! I had the best time reading about how you put it all together, too, and the old postcard...it's wonderful.
Thanks!
Deb
oh what a beautiful postcard and then you created magic with your piece...stunning work!! and I love the walk through!!!
This is so beautifully done! More years ago than I can count, I did a postcard-sized scene from a kit purchased in Gatlinburg, TN that was layers of an image for dimensional effect, and then topped with a clear glaze just on the top layers. I still have it! Your piece made me think of that. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for triggering a pleasant memory!
wow, gorgeous!!! Love your frame and images. Your art is a treasure
I love the 3D effect, fantastic and original, love it!
AWESOME project. I too love those old postcard, so thank you so much for sharing this one with us and creating a wonderful project to breath life back in this wonderful image of yesteryear. Thank you for sharing the break down too.
Priscilla
Oh wow this is really romantic.
Absolutely perfect work. Love the effect.
Gorgeous .....beautifully created.
Really beautiful! Love the 3D effect.
what a wonderful creation, very special! thanks for showing the steps!
What a fun and fantastic piece!! love your original idea, and I admire the effort that came into this!! The result is awesome!! Love the texture and depth you've created!!
Linda
Beautiful collage
Oh Diane this is wonderful. I always look forward to seeing what you've made! I've got a collection of old postcards too and yes, love reading the messages on the back. I shall have to dig a few out and share them online. I wonder if in 99 years time someone will be reading a postcard I wrote? Or maybe they'll be looking at "that old internet thing" and reading our blogs!!
This is outstanding. I love the original postcard (you must have been so excited to find it), but you really made it into a work of art. And so amusing!
BTW, what color are you painting your studio? I do hope we get to see pictures!
I would have been happy just studying the image (the "shadow" of the couple really made me giggle) but it was so great of you to show your process! Cute cute cute!
"Dear Friend"...(I couldnt resist)..you are on a creative roll...each piece is lovelier than the last...Have a Great Day..!
Beautiful, great work.
Diane, your shadowbox is outstanding!!! Stunning work. Love your creation.
What a stunning creation! And what a great way to use such a wonderful piece of ephemera! I adore your special "Valentine"! Hugs, Terri xoxo
This is so creative, unique and beautiful!
old postcards are fun. I love the vintage Halloween ones but whenever I find them the seller is wanting $35 or more! crazy! I like the technique you used on the frame. It all turned out gorgeous:)
I always love reading how you created your art. The time it must have taken to make this darling piece is incredible. This shouts romance. I'm so glad I stopped by on my way out the door.lemousli
Fantastic piece. Time consuming but beautiful. The colors are wonderful. :)
I just love that you take the time to describe your technique and the thinking behind your marvelously imaginative piece. I too have many of these postcards and marvel at their age. I bet the recipient never dreamed that their mail would end up as artwork some day. You've inspired me to use mine. Very clever indeed.
Love the heart border on the frame, the postcard background, and the lovers. This is fabulous!
Dear Friend....I had to use that greeting...love what you did with the old postcard and shadowbox. There's a lot of things we'd have to explain to Clara. What color are you painting your studio? You asked about the inks...I have to order almost all my art supplies online. Dick Blick gets most of my business.
Cheers,
Mary
Wow, Diane, your piece is stunning! I love the way you have used the vintage postcard - you really made it speak to us about love!
A beautiful complex piece that suits the theme just perfectly, fantastic!
How cute & creative is this???? I Love this piece, so many wonderful elements...Great Job!!!
Smiles,
Susie
This is fabulous!!!
I tried to put up a picture just to try it and it went into my page. Maybe Suzi puts those up?? hummmm...
PS I also tried going into the ning site to find you but didn't know where to look. I'll go and loog again and leave the same message about the pics. bye!
I LOVE the layers! It is fantastic!
Dear Friend.... I love that,I just had to do it. Your piece is beautiful as usual. I was going to do this challenge and I thought of love is in the air too because of valentines day,but I did'nt have time,I'm working so much at my store.
I so love your creation! Beautiful, just a beauty! I also love the "transparent" lovers. Too cool. xoxo to Bob, and you... thanks for stopping by the Breeze. Told Oliver he has a new friend. hugs, Marlynn
Hi, and thanks for visiting my blog and leaving so many kind comments!! I'd love to do an online workshop if I only knew how :)
but I know the second best thing, you can learn from the master of polymer clay mosaics! Just get the book Mixed Media Mosaics by Laurie Mika, she explains her techniques beautifully with lots of illustrations and tips, so the only thing you need besides this book is materials, and she makes great suggestions, and of cours you'll need creativity and imaginations, which you already have in abundance!!
Good luck and have tons of fun playing with clay! can't wait to see what you come up with!!
Linda
This is WONDERFUL!! Your work is inspiring and so very beautiful. I love this piece and your MMM submission too. I was so happy to see you highlighted last week on MMM and am eager to see more. Thank you, Kristin :)
Just love what you did with the old valentine! Turned out beautifully, and I thought it was so neat the you had that very valentine that she went and purchased, and wrote to her friend, I guess we just never know! Makes me sorta hope that one day almost 99 years from now someone will find something I made and reintroduce it all over again! The old postcards were so beautiful and I love finding them and reading them, thanks for the lovely story!
Oh, this is awesome. Love what you have created and reading all about it.
Debby
Diane, I LOVE old postcards and collect them actively. Their age is a big reason that they appeal to me and like you, love it when there's writing on them. I think the ones that are blank are supposed to be worth more, but to me the real value is the words written on the back. If we use them in art, we scan and print them, we never use the originals as we respect and reserve them. I loved your art piece. I love your style! Twyla
Post a Comment