Mysteries and Memories

     Yes, my mystery hives still haven't revealed themselves.   Hubby said Chiggers, mom says Shingles, yet it feels like  Chicken pox.  I have a fever, hives pop out with blisters and fade away.  I itch and feel sunburned-basically all I want to do is shower and wear baggy clothes and wear pink calamine lotion.  Yes, I am ready for Halloween-in regards to scary that! (This is a term we use at our home. When my daughter was three, this is how she described anything that scared her.  She pronounced garbage truck as fruck-that scared me and screamed when it was in our neighborhood.)

      Last week I went into the attic and opened an old trunk.  My hives are beginning to feel like an episode from Tales From the Crypt.   I will keep you posted~


     I was thrilled to be contacted by Somerset Memories to write an article about my grandparents.  Thank you Jana for being so gracious~  It is a wonderful issue and I am so happy to see my cute grandparents featured.   Memory art has a special place in my heart~

 

     My grandparents met at a dance.  He was the band leader and she was with a date.  I know she loved music and played the piano.  My grandfather played the drums.  I am not sure of the whole story, but I suspect she started to get her things at the coat check and my grandfather kept her from leaving. I think he date had left suddenly-some kind of emergency.    Music brought my grandparents together.  They also loved living by the sea, watching the birds and tea.  I used a table linen to recreate their story. 

      When I was young I did chores at their home.  They lived at the end of my street.  I would fill bird feeders, walk their dog, wipe dishes and sweep the front porch and back step.  Every week I was invited for tea-it wasn't your ordinary tea party.  Just the three of us, sharing our week, watching the birds enjoy their treats by the view of the sea.  The table was set with various linens, pretty homemade cookies and a pretty tea set.  It was my grandmother's chance to see if I was minding my manners.  After tea we went to the back room, they called the parlor played music and sang songs.   I loved hearing them share their memories and singing their old favorite songs.  I grew up in a musical family. My dad played guitar and my aunt plays piano.  My brother plays drums and my mom and I both play guitar.   Music filled our lives.  I knew when I decided to create their story, music had to be the fabric of their lives.   It was an honor to share bits of their lives~   

 My grandparents Clifford n' Winona-they both loved music.  Our tea parties were shared watching the birds enjoy their treats, as we enjoyed ours.

 My father n' Aunt Patty!

I want to share some other unique ideas in this issue:

 This page was inspired by artist  Tina Walker.   

Here is some digital artwork inspired by  artist Mary Bailey. 

This art was inspired by the subject Bali, Indonesia by artist Emmanuelle Chauvin.

This artist Sascha Schmidt is also a reporter and photography editor.  His work makes me want to try art journaling.   


There are many ways to tell a story or capture memories-to later perhaps add words.  I think all artists need to experiment and try other creative endeavors.  You might discover another way to tell a story!