Saturday, February 20, 2010

Art

When I first moved here, a couple of weeks before my birthday I was feeling lonely and homesick. My friend Jenni's mom Lisa posted some artwork she had done on Facebook and I commented about how much I liked it. A couple of weeks later the UPS man brought me this:


All framed and matted and everything. I love it. It hangs on my bedroom wall just between my closet doors and above where my full-length mirror would go if I ever managed to afford one. My sister, who knows about these things, once told me something that had to do with owning original artwork making you more legitimate in some way. Ok, obviously I need to listen more closely to my sister, who knows about these things, but I got the message: Own art. Real original art.

I've mentioned Shannon from work before. She is an artist specializing in mixed media collage. She's really talented and inspired and some of her work used to hang in the crafting room at the studio. Today I bought this from her and I am SO EXCITED:




Let me tell you all things I love about this:

  1. I personally know the artist and she's awesome.
  2. As indicated, the photo in the center was taken in Brooklyn.
  3. The second lady from the right is Shannon's Grandma Emily.
  4. These women are clearly awesome.
  5. Shannon sketched the Brooklyn Bridge and skyline in the background.
  6. Shannon has no idea what or where The Lost Weekend is.

I love my new piece of art and can't wait to put it up in my room. Its something I feel I'll always have in my home, even when I no longer live in NY and it makes me really happy.

Several weeks ago on a yucky wintry morning on my way to work I saw an old cardboard album cover on the sidewalk on the way to the train. It was Herb Alpert and his Tijuana Brass "What Now My Love?" The picture of old Herb and his horn and lady friend were priceless and I picked it up and took it directly to Shannon at work. I can't wait to see what magic she works on it.

The last piece of original art in my collection was made by me:


This was taken at the fair, my favorite place and it hangs on my door. Its the first photo I've ever enlarged. Of course my room is full of other photos I've taken, but the Ferris Wheels are by far my favorite. Can't wait until I can photograph the Wonder Wheel up close.

5 comments:

  1. I am so glad you like it :) Yes my grandma and her friends were classy ladies lol! I put the brass instruments in the skyline because when I think of Brooklyn in the 40's I think of jazz music.

    I can't believe you found that movie!! I wonder if there was a bar named after it or if it was like a movie promotion or something.

    Also, you should definitely go take pics of the wonder wheel this summer, they'll probably never take it down, but they talk about shutting down coney island every year.

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  2. Your sister was quoting Muffy, who told me that you are not truly cultured until you have original art in your home.

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  3. I love this, Katy! This post, the artwork you have, the stories behind the art, everything! What year did you take that ferris wheel pic? It is my favorite picture you've taken. Just wondering if I happened to be with you that year. (Ha! Fat chance of that! lol You go every single night they're open!)

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  4. That picture was taken this year, so there's a good chance you were there. I feel like I photographed that Ferris Wheel each night at least once. I have a small collection of Ferris Wheel photographs. Both my mom and Laura counted their own original art collections after reading the blog. I'm so inspirational. Lol.

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  5. You ARE! Hmm..I'm counting my art right now too. I did 3 paintings and a mobile for A's room, a mobile and 5 photo enlargements for E's room, plus the 8 pictures on the ledge in my living room. Wow! I've got lots of original art and didn't even know it. :)

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