SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE-almost
I had so many things going through my mind this morning, I was unable to choose one of them to post, so here goes a long one. Perhaps, I can take the next year off....yeah, sure.
Most importantly, today is my mothers 93rd birthday....shhhhh, don't tell anyone. She told some of her friends where she lives that she is 84!! I told her she should be proud of her age and how active she still tries to be, despite extreme osteporosis, but, no, she wants to be 84. She has had a hard life. Always working hard, taking care of my father through his alzheimers, then my grandmother......me. As an only child I am doing my best to keep her happy these days......and let me tell you, sometimes it's not easy (she can be cranky :-)).
The photo above is a "mishmash". It's actually a beautiful photo my daughter Emily took of her, after she "dressed her up" in the weird makeup and curlers. Emily won an award in a show with that photo. I decided to photograph it in the frame. What you see is my reflection, in my blue PJs. I liked it this way. Just ignore the as yet uncombed hair.
She met my father at a ballroom dancing. She loves to dance. The old photo is when she was in her late 20's, still not married. The one in the middle is her now, with my son Daniel, at his wedding in October. What a happy day for all of us. Then the woman who now has trouble walking a few steps without a walker, is seen dancing the hora at the wedding. There is no keeping her still when the right music is playing. Her favorite TV show is "Dancing With the Stars".
Below are three pieces I did , using my mothers images, in response to feelings about aging. They are sandcast glass imbedded with copper. I love working in the sand, imbedding an image and then pouring the hot molten glass into the image and watching it cool.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM. I LOVE YOU.
These next images I did for Constance, at Rochambeau. One of her last posts had to do with one of mother natures most beautiful designs, the shell. They make her happy. I got inspired and needed to sketch.
Lastly, my friend Judy at Red Velvet, has been posting some incredibly thought provoking images and writing about the Holocaust. I had mentioned in a previous post or two about an incredible museum in Philadelphia, The Liberty Museum. founded by a man named Irv Borowsky, an incredible man with an incredible art glass collection. He put together a great group of artists that made pieces for a book and exhibit called "Artists Confronting the Inconceivable", remembrances of the Holocaust. Below are just some of the unique and beautifully emotional works that were chosen.
Listen to the Flames by Toan Klein
Portrait of Anne Frank by Dana Zamecnikova
Please Look at Me by Steve Tobin







17 comments:
Dear Karen,
When I started reading your post, I didn't know I was going to cry. But I am, for many reasons. Happy Birthday to your Mom first of all!!! May she always dance with the Stars! I'm touched that you and Emily have used her image in your art. Secondly, thank you for my beautiful surprise shell sketches! They make me happy! and the blogosphere is a cool way to see that your are thinking of me. Lastly anything about the holocaust makes me sad.
Now I'm going to pull myself together! Thanks for a beautiful post.
Go Grandmom! I hope I live to be 93. I missed the Bicentennial by 4 years... I hope to be around for the Tricentennial!
How come you don't have a link to my blog on your blog? :P
Happy birthday to your mum Karen, what an inspiration for 93. My dad's 85 and he turns it around and tells everyone he's 58, if he didn't have trouble with his legs, he could almost pass for 60.
Love your art, the glass looks difficult to do. The paintings are fabulous love the colours.
Judy's blog is so informative and the stories are so sad, but compelling reading.
Ro
xo
Hi Karen - how fab that your mum has reached that age - congrats and best wishes for the future too! You have such a wide range of artistic talent - the glass work is amazing!!
Karen, the pieces from the museum are astounding!!! Looking forward to hopefully seeing thme one day. I keep coming back and looking at them, thanks for showing them.
Your mum looks so nice plus your glass work is really nice and interesting. So varied an artist you are!
That photo of your mother by your daughter is just stunning. I just gazed and gazed at it. Does your daughter sell the print?
And I love the art work that you have done of her - she must be so touched by it too.
Or perhaps I could swap a beautiful pair of Moroccan slippers for a print?
What a stunning post!!!!!
Happy Birthday to Mom! What a lovely, lovely post--I love that first photo too :)
this was a very rich and beautiful post - I'm so glad I came here via Constance - thanks so much and Happy Birthday to your Mom
xox - eb.
Karen......This is my first time to your blog and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself!!!!! Your pieces are magnificent and I enjoyed EVERY ENTRY!!! Ha....Ha.....I have been here awhile:D Thanks for all your sharing.........Linda
I wonder how many of these people have had the opportunity to hear you on the phone with your mother. your kindness is something hard to explain but it is overwheleming. You are a very sweet person.
love you
robert
Yes, Roberts absolutely right. You are a sweet person!
Ms Sweetness, You should come see the "going's on" and all you've missed over at Rochambeau!!
Karen: I cried when I saw the pictures of Helen. I've seen some before...they are beautiful. You know how much I love her. She's a great lady. She always says what she thinks....we all know that!....through thick and thin......Love to Helen on her birthday..Please pass this along. Take care, Maria
What a great written and creative art tribute to your mother. Happy Birthday, Karen's mom!And no, I won't mention your age to anyone! ;p
Your artwork is so good! I wish I could see it in person. And that exhibition - wow! The artwork is moving. Again, I'd love to see it in person. Toan Klein's work is interesting. I'll look it up online to see what it is exactly...and the size...are the "flames" life-size? It reminds me of Christian Boltanski's work about the holocaust. And Steve Tobin's piece is very raw, isn't it? This is or was certainly a powerful exhibition.
just lovely your mom, take good care of her karen. so precious! sending my regards to her.
Hi Karen,
Me again...I have been surfing through the links to your past posts...all so rich and beautiful...
you are such a talent Karen,
love,
steph
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