The other day, my husband came home “bearing gifts.” A friend of ours named Kerry owns a store and had saved cigar boxes for me because he knew I wanted them for my art. My husband walked through the door with all the boxes. I was so excited! This one is my favorite and it smells divine! Inside, it has the scent of cedar. I decorated the inside lid of the box as I didn’t want the amazing aroma of the wood to dissipate.
I created a matching cd, which seems fitting for a “music” theme. (The cd does not play--it is for decorative purposes only.) This work is replete with symbolism. “18” in Hebrew is the equivalent of the word “chai,” which means “life.” Music is such an important element of life that it accompanies each of us to our individual destinies or “destinations,” as it says in the piece on the leather tag. Our memories are contained within tunes and lyrics...we carry them with us every day.
In various places, the box was stamped and rubbed, leaving a faded image of a fleur de lis throughout...(I’m from New Orleans, so that is in honor of my location.) The cd has been what I refer to as “back-stamped.” I glue paper down, rip it in a specific section, then stamp the hollowed out space. It gives the piece more dimension. (I guess it’s hard to believe, but this box and cd took 18 hours to complete.)
The female image on both pieces is from Marie’s Freebies. Sheet music is from the Graphics Fairy. This work was also created from commercial papers, embellishments, fibers, beading, hand-painted batik fabric, tulle, cheese cloth, transparencies, inks, organza ribbon, and ephemera, including a ticket stub from Mind Wide Open.
This is my entry for the Creative Spirit Challenge, as well as the following challenges:
Alter It Monthly--Hugs to Zuzu, Carol, and Gillian!
Also, linking this up to Mixed Media Monday--Memories Challenge--Hugs to Diane!
And The Graphics Fairy--Brag Monday--Hugs to Karen.
And A Glimpse of Beautiful--Hugs to Renee!
And one more thing--if you have not entered these challenges, I recommend that you do...These ladies are AMAZING and it is great to create art in the company of friends who cheer you on and watch you grow in your craft.
