J :: Altered Postcard

What ??!
There are other people out there who like the same silly stuff I like?

This is still my reaction when I come across a blog or a flickr group devoted
to some relatively obscure fascination. As many of you know, I adore
vintage photographs and mixed media art. Oh , and when I'm not playing
in those worlds ... . . I have a day job as an Interior Designer. It's fun - but,
truth be told : It just provides the income to keep me in art supplies to
play with.

There are a few places where all my favorite things come together and this
little postcard is one such place. It's a postcard, part of a group
which I had made (using my photograph of one of my design projects)
to use for some business correspondence. Simple, direct and
rather professional.

Then I decided to play with it ... . so I took this business card and
"altered" it by doing a bit of stitching / painting & layering
a miniature playing card with some tulle ( love playing cards, too).

Voila! Business Meets Art.

I suppose it's inevitable that all these little pieces eventually come together.
The particular occasion for this post of this piece is my discovery of a group of
postcard / mail art lovers who share their postcards on Fridays.

What a fun idea ... . . I think I'll play!

See what they're doing here: Postcard Friendship Friday.

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Mixed Media - Altered Postcard by Judith Thibaut
4 x 6 inches

Layers :: Fortuny + Felt

Small bits and pieces of papers and fabric ... . a wrap of ripped
brown paper bag and metallic fortuny silk . . . with a tiny piece of
white brushed felt forming the midpoint.


A rather odd combination .
Somehow , it just felt right.
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Mixed Media by Judith Thibaut
Finished Size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches

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Check out
other thoughts / musings and impressions of F E L T -
at Theme Thursday.

My George .. . . in Drag

Some of you may recognize this guy. He's often associated with
Mt. Vernon, cherry trees and US one dollar bills.

He's rarely associated with paper dolls , dresses and gold tulle ... . .
which is just what I felt he needed. After all, we all need to have
some fun and play dress up occasionally.
The spring edition of Art Doll Quarterly agreed with me.
They've featured my George in Drag paper doll in their Spring 2010 edition.
It was such a kick to find it in my mailbox yesterday .. . flip through and
see my little GW in all his froufy silver / gold / tulle glory on page 104.

They've even declared my work to be the inspiration for a new department at
Art Doll Quarterly and have encouraged readers to submit " Paper Personas .. .
over-the-top imaginative interpretations of the human form."

What a giggle ... .
I just had to share this.

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Do click on the image to view larger and see his
adorable little porcelain legs and the the full effect
of his stitched renaissance dress.

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Mixed Media by Judith Thibaut

Another Place Another Time :: Our Daily Bread

There's something pure and simple about a loaf of bread.
Few of us even take the time to go to a bakery to secure this
basic of life. We know it can easily be found along the aisle of a larger
store, which has a bakery section, along with other basics of life.


Wouldn't it be wonderful to open the front door and find this rather
natty fellow, in his tweed jacket / vest and tie, holding a basket
of fresh baked bread?

How about a giant loaf of french bread delivered in this Citroen panel truck ?
I love the way they're standing at attention along the sides of the truck ... .
rather like soldiers ready to depart on their next mission.
The mission: Feed & Nurture.


Purchasing a loaf from this peddler in Caracus, Venezuela (circa 1903)
would have been quite the luxury to the housewives in this barrio.
The norm at this time would have been bake-your-own.

These Goanese bakers have me a bit confused. They obviously work as
a team, with the large basket to hold bread ... . which then appears to
be served on a tray. Is that long stick attached to the basket?
And, why does the baker on the right rate matching checked trousers
and shoes ... . . whereas the boy on the left is sans shoes ?
During WW I these bakers were equipped to take down the tents and roll on a moments
notice, to keep their fellow British soldiers supplied with their daily bread.
Nowhere to put those trays of bread?
Not a problem ... . just sit them in the dirt.

And what do you think that little improvised device to the right of the photo is?
A canvas sling to hold the dough while it rises ??
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Other places and other times ... . give us pause to think of that which comes
to us so simply in this time. Perhaps we should also pause to give thanks
for these small treasures we often take for granted.

For some other thoughts on Bread, see the other posts
for Theme Thursday - here.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

P.S.
I've been thinking about those boys from Goa.
And ... . . I believe my questions are answered by the fact that
this was a posed photo with the bakers exhibiting the tools of
their trade: the long stick being a long handled spatula for
taking the loaves out of an oven. Those British Army bakers
are pictured with the same utensil. What d'ya think?


With thanks to www.postcardman.net for the wonderful
vintage images.

Just One More :: Veil

Since I had veils on the brain last week, I came upon this beauty
in my files and just had to share it with you.

I feel it's from a photographer I should know .. . . but, I really can't
identify the source. (If you can , please do!)

Don't you just love the perfection of the contrast between the
ethereal quality of the veil & cabbage rose with the geometric
simplicity of her dress?

Beneath the Surface & Behind the Veil

I have long been enchanted with any type of fabric that has a sheer surface.
Lace, veils, net and tulle are found in great abundance in my closet
and my art. They seem to be an overt invitation to .. . . take a peek.

If our natural inclination is to seek that which is beneath a surface,
this is a tangible illusion.

We don't have to wonder what's beneath the surface , it's generally
quite visible - but, the message is clearly : Look but don't touch.

A bit of instant mystery.
I was pleased to find that one of the great photo journalists of the 2oth century
also shared my love of this illusory surface. Many veils are to be found
in the beguiling photographs of Alfred Eisenstaedt. These first photos were
done for another great fan of veils, the milliner Lily Dache.

Such a mysterious image .
Does anyone know the story behind this famous veiled lady? I believe this
photo was taken in Paris in the 20's.
Mr. Eisenstaedt even did a series of photos of this questionable man behind a veil.


The Countess Ludovica Gaetani d'Aragona is a girl I can definitely relate to.
She wore a snappy straw veiled boater with giant glam sunglasses at the
Rome Golf Club in 1947.

Love the look. Love the attitude.

Love the layers of surfaces which allow her protection
from being too .. . ... exposed.

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For more Surface notes from Theme Thursday,
go HERE.

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All photography Alfred Eisenstaedt

Current Enchantments :: Castles with Moats

Though I'm a girl who's sworn off the Large Life for the
SmallerSimpler Life ... . . I do still relish my privacy and
nothing symbolizes privacy like a castle with a moat.


I love the idea of withdrawing to my drawing room,
and shutting out the world, by pulling up a drawbridge.

Since the reality of castle dwelling generally includes
far too many drafty rooms and more staff than I care to manage -
I'll continue to snuggle up in my small
(but oh so warm & cozy)
little house behind a gated garden wall.

And
occasionally create a few fairy tale castles ,
because they're such fun to play with.

Go ahead. Play with a few of your own fairy tales today.

Polka Dot Pieces

What?? I almost missed a Polka Dot Opportunity!
Know I'm a bit late to the party, but couldn't resist.
Just read Hazel's Clever Pup post on Polka Dots and
Bob Dylan and discovered it's Theme Thursday
for one of my all time fav themes.

I love including dots in many of my mixed media pieces ... .
especially this collage with the coronation painting of Queen Elizabeth I,
where I took the liberty of adding giant gold dots to her dress.

For more Dotty inspiration and links -
go to the home page here: Theme Thursday

Reality Shift :: Winged Victory 2010

After yesterdays' thoughts on adjusting to a new reality,
I sat down to create a piece of art which encompassed
what that might look like. These are the first two
pieces from this series.


I liked the idea of taking something "known" and giving
it a new interpretation .

Indeed, to see something familiar through new eyes -
to Expand My Vision.

That sounds like a perfect resolution for a new decade.
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Altered photograph by moi.

Hunter's Words for A New Decade

Today's weirdness is tomorrow's reason why.

So said my old Aspen neighbor ... .
Hunter Thompson,
who knew how to dance to his own drummer
and alter his reality.


My prediction for the coming decade:
Lots more altered reality.

May we all dance with
Joy
Great Grace
and Audacious Possibility !


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Altered vintage photo by moi.