Thankful, Eras and Change

I felt in an especially thankful mood this Thanksgiving Holiday time. Whatever you may feel about the origins of the holiday itself, feeling grateful, giving thanks, family and friends gathering, resonates for me.

I came across these 'thankful' words and made special cards for family and friends this year, which I haven't done before. This collage, using those same words, is my thankful message to you. It has a nostalgic feel, with it's kinda retro people and of course, pumpkin pie - my favorite.

Thankful collage

I've been reading Bread of Angels by Patti Smith. The title refers to good things that come your way, the 'Bread of Angels'. Thankful we are for such moments. This is a memoir of her childhood and early career. I feel a strong affinity with her; admiring her as a person who has lived by her own light. I find we have some simpatico sensibilities and life elements as well, such as, growing up in Germantown, Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, NYC in the 70's.  The collage reflects a memoir; different eras of life.

Patti Eras collage

Tres Street Ladies is a favorite collage of mine and one of my favorite murals here in Waynesboro.  The mural is by Julia Chon and titled Sun Moon and Stars. Thankful for such extraordinary talent.

Tres Street Ladies collage

                                       

Recently I noticed that the entire middle of the mural was gone, apparently to be replaced by a door.

Today I discovered that the entire mural has been painted over! Grrr. Sigh. The book store that had once been in this location has moved and I was unable to find what is in the building now.  Perhaps a new mural will appear.  We can hope.

 Till another time!

Fall, Yellow, the Joans and Thankfulness

Today is a very crisp Fall day and here, the leaves of color are almost gone.  But it was a very vibrant Fall indeed, which inspired this collage.  Here we have one of my fairy creatures, Nix - the Crow-Hare fairy speaking as Fall.  You've seen her before as Spring.

Mythical beings often show up in my work.  I feel the presence of  Other.  Archetypal images populate most of my collages, from my point of view.  Retro images, retro people,people of different looks and styles, architecture, things and so forth, always carry a wider meaning than the image itself.  At least that is the feeling for me as I am drawn to them and find the juxtapositions that speak to me.

Fall - Nix, Crow-Hare Fairy collage

These two collages were a surprise to me.  After I recovered from a recent surgery, I found them in a folder labeled 'Working Collage', patiently waiting to complete, as I had forgotten them.

The very early, late 1920's image of Joan Crawford was the first image that caught my eye.  But we travel in these images up to the present day, with Tami Neilson rocking her retro look.

Retro Joans Collage

 

The fantastic yellow gown anchored this piece, joined, again,  by women of various eras.

Yellow Mayfair Collage

 

And Fall closes with Thanksgiving.  Whatever your feelings about the heritage of this holiday, I like to embrace it in its fullest spirit - a day of gathering and anchoring in thankfulness.  Why not?  

Thanksgiving - Mindful Gratitude Collage

Till next time.