tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78003514126013251582024-02-19T08:46:15.529-07:00Schimmel ArtThe musings of artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold.Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-17428663481191013302020-04-23T09:16:00.003-07:002020-04-23T09:27:41.437-07:00Day of Gratitude -- You Made A Difference!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdx92jqLe7bwTRXcRpcED6sJCTpWgOrEIbNu09-ziXev6T4sOe59yXG71C2YMX25KNXjSQPBi9ZhANvBeWUTCJ8eCuuPcCExOgdwWmpoojsCTwsRGqUKfdxgAtTmwU_Sx_tbsgTJEm-Ur/s1600/whatdreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdx92jqLe7bwTRXcRpcED6sJCTpWgOrEIbNu09-ziXev6T4sOe59yXG71C2YMX25KNXjSQPBi9ZhANvBeWUTCJ8eCuuPcCExOgdwWmpoojsCTwsRGqUKfdxgAtTmwU_Sx_tbsgTJEm-Ur/s320/whatdreams.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A creative jump-start exercise from </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold. </span></b></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bored? Write.</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Get started with this exercise...in which you simply write a paragraph about 5 individuals who arrived at an important juncture in your life; or made an impression, gave you inspiration, power, championed your abilities, handed you special knowledge, gave guidance, got you through a difficult period or something else. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Something that helped form who you are now. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may have already thanked them, but here's another way to let people know their life has meaning, and may have touched another so profoundly...and inspire others to do the same. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">An "It's A Wonderful Life" Exercise without angels.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do not include ANY family members or spouses. That's too easy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You'd be surprised, once you get started how more people/influencers will pop into mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Steps: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. Person's first initial ONLY.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. What challenges you were facing at the moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. The circumstances for your meeting or why something changed about your circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. What the person did in 4 sentences ONLY that made an impact so strong that you changed you in a positive way forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>By the time you're done, your day will be brightened!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mine are below. See my comments on the bottom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. J</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Starting a new job/career that I was afraid I was unqualified to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. Visited his office space, housed in my new workplace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. He was an extraordinary person who once had everything but lost it. He found himself in a position to solve a problem by using a few connections and a simple idea that became a world-wide movement. His personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the poor and hungry slowly wormed it's way into my psyche. I learned about and embraced compassion for my fellow man that has changed me forever.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. S</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. She was my boss when I was assigned a new role.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. I was assigned a project that was way beyond anything I'd ever done in any capacity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. She saw something in me that gave her the confidence to assign projects that were not only out of my comfort zone, but beyond my experience. She listened patiently and was able to sift through my protestations. She gave me one quick tip and permission to pursue my ideas. She checked in with me only enough to allow me to blossom and complete a very successful project that gave me confidence to try new things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. L</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Lovelorn and lost.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. We had mutual friends and developed a close friendship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. I was going through a very tough time personal/relationship-wise and she was always there, at the end of the phone or the end of her driveway to help. She not only eased my loneliness, she gave me encouragement. When I met someone very special, but geographically undesirable, she discouraged my interest in pursuing more. Her advice? "God sent you an angel" meaning this person's only purpose in my life was only to let me know that I was desirable, and ready to move on and not settle for less than what I deserved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. L</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. Developing a career.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. She was my new boss.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4. She was funny and talented but also very aloof, selfish and lazy. In this way, she gave me the lion's share of work, but took credit for it whenever she could. Her advice to me when I didn't know what to do was "Figure it out" as she walked away. Thanks to her, oddly enough, I did figure it out...over and over and over...and I finally got recognized for the creative work I was doing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">1. B</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2. We worked our regular jobs together, were both entrepreneurs, separately, on the side, and shared ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3. When I was fired from a job, we were able to put into action a plan for a future business we discussed over drinks, writing ideas on cocktail napkins. His creative thinking and my creative doing paired with hilarious brainstorming sessions turned into a lucrative business [for a time]. He has two attributes that gave me the freedom to create: bravery and playfulness. Although our business ended years ago, he continues to buoy me up, poke my brain and make me laugh. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I started thinking about this, and who I would choose, a common thread appeared in my mind. The people who have made the most impact are those that allowed me to create, to think outside the box, to express myself, who don't judge, who care about others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If it wasn't for the people above, maybe I wouldn't have made some major changes and shifts in my life. Maybe I wouldn't have had confidence or courage to do my own thing, my own way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">What's most important to you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So it's no surprise that I became an artist after all. Creative freedom is everything to me. And social justice. And love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can't wait to read yours!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sandhi</span><br />
<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0Midlothian, VA 23114, USA37.4890452 -77.66506637.3882457 -77.8264275 37.5898447 -77.5037045tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-83319834197209887822017-09-24T20:24:00.001-07:002017-09-24T20:24:12.075-07:00The Camel - Mixed Media Tapestry made from Upcycled Junk Mail -- "The Last Straw"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> The Last Straw.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">It came to me in a dream. A lucid dream, where I was holding a baby camel. I laughed out loud, but stayed asleep. So vivid was this dream, that I immediately looked up the meaning of the dream.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx6jtgpBqp5VDgbf2wol118uTKfLkVdicDleoor_crZP-38TvKKNkCSTsKveEAFAYjdrBqKKW0AVzBbCCRsCgfYBHEAc2z9g2u4dRTFF-CYRtnPh2mXVScBMuS1Xg-JSTKQnUlXwZLwNi/s1600/camel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIx6jtgpBqp5VDgbf2wol118uTKfLkVdicDleoor_crZP-38TvKKNkCSTsKveEAFAYjdrBqKKW0AVzBbCCRsCgfYBHEAc2z9g2u4dRTFF-CYRtnPh2mXVScBMuS1Xg-JSTKQnUlXwZLwNi/s640/camel.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The Last Straw</span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> </span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><br /></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TqZ3iDKVgygNDB1tIVXqYFhjdG-GiQk9H9XZ-cfsP-zKZ8GW_9nBOIEG89eU6EK1OkaGkXlyotWzP9QEaJdCDfDtoKiZS6jyKftf4xs8W84VBzu2uhD0GDsNReSy9vC6O-iQoW5kh0sY/s1600/camel4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TqZ3iDKVgygNDB1tIVXqYFhjdG-GiQk9H9XZ-cfsP-zKZ8GW_9nBOIEG89eU6EK1OkaGkXlyotWzP9QEaJdCDfDtoKiZS6jyKftf4xs8W84VBzu2uhD0GDsNReSy9vC6O-iQoW5kh0sY/s1600/camel4.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> Of course, a dream about a camel can be about endurance, long journeys, reaching goals, but it also can symbolize burdens. That resonated immediately... carrying too many problems on my shoulders, too many responsibilities, <i>clinging to emotions instead of expressing them and releasing them</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">WOW.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">So profound... at this juncture of my life, I am thinking about these burdens, about <i>letting go of emotional baggage</i>, about the "things" that I've held on to for so long. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">A few things happened in my most innermost thoughts... more to do with people who I feel responsible for holding up, helping out, opinions I keep to myself, words not expressed...</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">And it was that dream that made me confront those thoughts, those plans, those unexpressed desires and pent up rage... and as I drove home from an acupuncture treatment, the words spilled out of my mouth. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">"That's the LAST STRAW!"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">In my mind's eye was an image of a camel, standing in the desert, the heat of the sun radiating behind him, the blue sky around him. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">As with any composition, I start with a simple pencil drawing... and let my imagination go... let the impulse be the action... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I keep junk mail, calendars, postcards, business cards, greeting cards, and other paper ephemera around. I use paper to create my compositions. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">After the pencil drawing, I began to paint. Just a bit... and began collecting, from boxes of paper, an assortment of photographs. Could be Drew Barrymore's pic on a Vanity Fair fly card, or a pic of someone's baby from a Christmas card... perhaps a photo of me, a greeting card's puppy dog or cartoon...a campaign postcard's featured candidate... and eureka, an enormous pile of photos cut into little squares. I used the squares to create the body of the camel. I created a coating mixed with some acrylic paint to soften the photos; some lighter, some darker, all a little hazy... and outlined the camel with black. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZBo-hMfZoTmdBn1wrjFsNv8PAGf2xevv-CAJLXlBitqMkTGUhimb4sevdTrkoGugxAuYYi-ku14DTPnbo29KKLB0ybqrtWzS-h03iJZWo2EsUVpKnRxOuYCZhfj7PEnjv_zwPs1yfA44/s1600/camel7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZBo-hMfZoTmdBn1wrjFsNv8PAGf2xevv-CAJLXlBitqMkTGUhimb4sevdTrkoGugxAuYYi-ku14DTPnbo29KKLB0ybqrtWzS-h03iJZWo2EsUVpKnRxOuYCZhfj7PEnjv_zwPs1yfA44/s1600/camel7.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7covZDxDrlWB6tyiRQrFx8fKOOIN3uzcW3WzuMX-zK99HF3jOW1v5R7kDLEntxVVhd2uOMstpMYWWJtZVIkczOEttVgsA73r7_5mr76ki4KzyyReg8wEf19-Av6bmZsuINoT02Ja5WLiI/s1600/camel6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7covZDxDrlWB6tyiRQrFx8fKOOIN3uzcW3WzuMX-zK99HF3jOW1v5R7kDLEntxVVhd2uOMstpMYWWJtZVIkczOEttVgsA73r7_5mr76ki4KzyyReg8wEf19-Av6bmZsuINoT02Ja5WLiI/s1600/camel6.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">What is the meaning of the people as camel? Well, they symbolize the past, the ghosts and traumas the myriad of experiences. They are not literal.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfxY_QxMTerwxCfSbB9BmApM6B-rAOdTLG0HYeA_ouYucA76d522620sJ1pF8qoFOTeFkmnbUljODBswfR-zUI04UBHjOHo2Hql0icB6Pw5axl7eTOWT4XGrRWy0_AL6wJi5sEk6ZIvt4/s1600/camel9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfxY_QxMTerwxCfSbB9BmApM6B-rAOdTLG0HYeA_ouYucA76d522620sJ1pF8qoFOTeFkmnbUljODBswfR-zUI04UBHjOHo2Hql0icB6Pw5axl7eTOWT4XGrRWy0_AL6wJi5sEk6ZIvt4/s400/camel9.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0E2pF-M8Z3AT0_Hka-yQApymQzBwI-wIDtFz1vstqb7Da-WbxnK8S3CamfAPy6QFu6ffPBTiJ_YYa4ylxpiIJzkkh8phunq8CUD02RnTC3Xk-8tLtVg-yhxnIM3xF0HK9HgSP7FroVi0/s1600/camel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="216" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0E2pF-M8Z3AT0_Hka-yQApymQzBwI-wIDtFz1vstqb7Da-WbxnK8S3CamfAPy6QFu6ffPBTiJ_YYa4ylxpiIJzkkh8phunq8CUD02RnTC3Xk-8tLtVg-yhxnIM3xF0HK9HgSP7FroVi0/s200/camel3.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The background was also improvised, and became a sort-of tapestry / oriental rug / geometric design. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I created it with squares, triangles, circles and flower designs.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> Junk mail, patterns, textures... from a huge variety of papers I've been hoarding.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">As you see in the photos, my camel is hairy... furry? Made from variegated yarn in beige and brown tones, cut with tiny scissors and flung on a sticky surface. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ8rEQCLXfqrU_Gj_7AYxdCkkhI5tX2tH0oFnm0njiPbMzJ_MHANYraQic4QWzc0d4SyvPON9hKXRYOJWz_puB3t1yNSA3bprJUOJNHLv1gLMZdIM9ytc9vYYu3GYAkPSYPhyc2S3GTxH/s1600/camel8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQ8rEQCLXfqrU_Gj_7AYxdCkkhI5tX2tH0oFnm0njiPbMzJ_MHANYraQic4QWzc0d4SyvPON9hKXRYOJWz_puB3t1yNSA3bprJUOJNHLv1gLMZdIM9ytc9vYYu3GYAkPSYPhyc2S3GTxH/s1600/camel8.jpg" /></a></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"> I added some rough ribbon tot he composition for a bridle, and created some tassels from yarn, ribbon and beads, added chains, bells and other decorative touches. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">Along the bottom are desert roses, also made from paper, which are a bit dimensional. These flowers are native to countries where camels are used as beasts of burden.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">You may wonder why I do not attach large files or hi-res photos to these blogs. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I have a reason. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I have seen my work reproduced as prints at art fairs, and for sale as designs for other commercial products.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The process of creating is the necessity for me. Once I create a piece,</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">I no longer need to own it. I work out my issues and have all the self-talk while I am in the studio.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRjm9DJTV5xrIiFyvnCSNyH7yiD0tIFKxpkB7uK3erxwlgiqWdj2HKeosU-bWCNUbK4XCk1m80WtMiN9G4qldbcCd5ZdO1RCoHWMeP4nPglPhUcBS8aFdZK8X-_ce73B8-GC64ujiQzFZ/s1600/camel11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tDbguYpnnWLjidjxskTNbkEnLtSrpW_IvUOrxblx16TwyQ5iERSAQPIQraveZdn3V1VYeKu_sQMtz4PHRPfXFFsS288kaJj5YdfneJNZ4EzssNH98nRpXwdQlEKMIq8leqYp_KMeGyZr/s1600/camel10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0tDbguYpnnWLjidjxskTNbkEnLtSrpW_IvUOrxblx16TwyQ5iERSAQPIQraveZdn3V1VYeKu_sQMtz4PHRPfXFFsS288kaJj5YdfneJNZ4EzssNH98nRpXwdQlEKMIq8leqYp_KMeGyZr/s400/camel10.jpg" width="400" /> </a> <img border="0" data-original-height="216" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRjm9DJTV5xrIiFyvnCSNyH7yiD0tIFKxpkB7uK3erxwlgiqWdj2HKeosU-bWCNUbK4XCk1m80WtMiN9G4qldbcCd5ZdO1RCoHWMeP4nPglPhUcBS8aFdZK8X-_ce73B8-GC64ujiQzFZ/s1600/camel11.jpg" />After many weeks, I am done. This is truly a mixed-media work, a paper mosaic, a tapestry, a dream realized. A slight departure from 15+ years of paper mosaic portraits!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">The camel is for sale, it is 36" high x 48" wide, on canvas. Please contact me if you are interested in owning this unusual work of art.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqV6Ug8ObA8Aj3N394yBsXScay2b5OFoKXiHBaIiolv6VCRcGckIHLB_VHhxh3TwpBEo_uwQclOjShyphenhyphenMueu5OYxTcC1_TqxmSrXKmQ02pOOwzVp6u9iZwlXCKoLwdlTOgOEPGeKPM-oif/s1600/camel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqV6Ug8ObA8Aj3N394yBsXScay2b5OFoKXiHBaIiolv6VCRcGckIHLB_VHhxh3TwpBEo_uwQclOjShyphenhyphenMueu5OYxTcC1_TqxmSrXKmQ02pOOwzVp6u9iZwlXCKoLwdlTOgOEPGeKPM-oif/s1600/camel2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-55465835210779456312015-08-30T22:34:00.000-07:002015-08-30T22:34:46.289-07:00And now...a Fine Art Installation for Residential, Corporate, Retail and Hospitality.One of a kind.<br />
Hand made.<br />
Unique.<br />
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The Art Room - a fine art gallery in Petersburg, VA - features a wall of squares...not quite tiles, and not exactly like many other installations of this kind. Today, 135 individual little masterpieces adorn one wall. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFZUJNN3hBbeimPn8Ju458mOg4Tyy2O_lkfyChAauJCgg31mn0Csh-2fTKFjPnyR-VGzHTL5Pj2MQgtCAmXAHCv38_9h2JaYYfrFIFqFgzwttHG3LjQlS4UInifURn11cPC_4spzdatNU/s1600/IMG_20150829_122051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFZUJNN3hBbeimPn8Ju458mOg4Tyy2O_lkfyChAauJCgg31mn0Csh-2fTKFjPnyR-VGzHTL5Pj2MQgtCAmXAHCv38_9h2JaYYfrFIFqFgzwttHG3LjQlS4UInifURn11cPC_4spzdatNU/s320/IMG_20150829_122051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The squares, loving called "miroir aux alouettes," are not manufactured, not mass produced, not based on trends, and not for everyone. The name refers to traps for larks [the birds!] which always feature mirrors, like these small treasures.<br />
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They're not glass or wood... they are small canvas squares [6x6x1"] that are hand painted and embellished with all sorts of unusual things... old Christmas cards, real gold foil, vintage pendants, glass mirrors, cannibalized jewelry, keys, tiny animals, beads, rhinestones, toys, tiles, tacks, gears, bait, buttons, bows and bits and pieces of a zillion different things. No two are alike. <br />
They are hand made by a duo of artists [known as Ibby & Ommie] who found inspiration in many places, and save every little thing that might be useful.<br />
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Many other artisans create or manufacture memory blocks, tiles, or boxes...in plaster, paper, copper, tile...create installations of a few or hundreds of pieces. Here are some examples from Sid Dickens, Houston Llew and Cedar Mountain... and hand made mosaics from Dusciana Bravura in Venice, Italy. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLHLF21Wl8TS7ur5vtAyFE-qFQGlsR8CxnVkFHc-CdnDzt2jCkgE5oFpKolGuxjR4hxx7zfDPVayVf1WCc4RlwQGIDhTEmQDzlw1YiU-7swYZ06FqFHXvbqc2ESUscGIrSMH8VW3hJdkN/s1600/538e7ae51835d.image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLHLF21Wl8TS7ur5vtAyFE-qFQGlsR8CxnVkFHc-CdnDzt2jCkgE5oFpKolGuxjR4hxx7zfDPVayVf1WCc4RlwQGIDhTEmQDzlw1YiU-7swYZ06FqFHXvbqc2ESUscGIrSMH8VW3hJdkN/s200/538e7ae51835d.image.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Houston Llew Copper </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotj9nYYgtmea5XngM2Hedbci2xyioHwJV22Su40fjid5kQDjrvkJo5YlDvKD2pGr-j9-TudahjN4HfGLeCDaQBcBDDODCJglrQ2WpeQ4ZfC9HwyDbzpjbR4QZpE-kAmbGHs4ktQvys_1a/s1600/974d059b7096b467fe2d9d5f1b73cf8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotj9nYYgtmea5XngM2Hedbci2xyioHwJV22Su40fjid5kQDjrvkJo5YlDvKD2pGr-j9-TudahjN4HfGLeCDaQBcBDDODCJglrQ2WpeQ4ZfC9HwyDbzpjbR4QZpE-kAmbGHs4ktQvys_1a/s200/974d059b7096b467fe2d9d5f1b73cf8d.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar Mountain Mass Produced Blocks</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZbZU5uM4T7j0NQVn2XML83K_kTGN3CPH9hoAnteFLZL1L1zoXHsReyut4CxDgDCZ58C72HY4uZ1w5YDPcCwc9FLOIs-kjicS-Nu7wk0k-L1KAhazqbOrxraqwrGzpt1ob3FWAgMSlhCe/s1600/a49dce6e66baccdf4f1a20e1d07c7d05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZbZU5uM4T7j0NQVn2XML83K_kTGN3CPH9hoAnteFLZL1L1zoXHsReyut4CxDgDCZ58C72HY4uZ1w5YDPcCwc9FLOIs-kjicS-Nu7wk0k-L1KAhazqbOrxraqwrGzpt1ob3FWAgMSlhCe/s200/a49dce6e66baccdf4f1a20e1d07c7d05.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusciana Bravura Mosaics</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLtFe5UqWxDmIw2CJs_WLpe8WKNdVVEPFzKqFF-nJaVhY1UzKArxQ13IYEeIHiH8fqBv_hd8AaUh6dMKC6qzCE2AjyqHeAgFastJ0WtYV7kAqvyO-PpCHUxi1muolxRen4FREecUOsB8s/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLtFe5UqWxDmIw2CJs_WLpe8WKNdVVEPFzKqFF-nJaVhY1UzKArxQ13IYEeIHiH8fqBv_hd8AaUh6dMKC6qzCE2AjyqHeAgFastJ0WtYV7kAqvyO-PpCHUxi1muolxRen4FREecUOsB8s/s200/index.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sid Dickens Plaster Memory Blocks</td></tr>
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For a high-end client who wants to make a similar impact, but also wants something no one else can possibly own, consider a grouping of these unusual little masterpieces -- that will begin many a conversation. Everyone that sees these unusual works of art stays and looks, and wants to know more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk0fXSfKVTztF8pq2Z8siUBkAvvtvxynMFf4LSbovq03ROemFKfdjcoeIUTPgbXBiD_9JY5qRjB6bLy8GT7TyaAqG7Sn_11rBFcuH16xfqtXUv7Fgt0QDqioehWWzULq06bwqEcLxF222/s1600/IMG_20150820_104039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk0fXSfKVTztF8pq2Z8siUBkAvvtvxynMFf4LSbovq03ROemFKfdjcoeIUTPgbXBiD_9JY5qRjB6bLy8GT7TyaAqG7Sn_11rBFcuH16xfqtXUv7Fgt0QDqioehWWzULq06bwqEcLxF222/s200/IMG_20150820_104039.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a bookshelf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0TTUunxqPOAji-wAri29gMdJp21Bfwnkg4UOELF5CEJ5bwFrne6R7KgGwHE1zT29zvRdZr9qOOKziog1uv1wHruf8vEqZ2GiHEkGKM0j69Z5csJ9CtIqe5cCgKSEEVOe1KmulArwGOn9/s1600/IMG_20150824_160944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0TTUunxqPOAji-wAri29gMdJp21Bfwnkg4UOELF5CEJ5bwFrne6R7KgGwHE1zT29zvRdZr9qOOKziog1uv1wHruf8vEqZ2GiHEkGKM0j69Z5csJ9CtIqe5cCgKSEEVOe1KmulArwGOn9/s200/IMG_20150824_160944.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger, tiger...burning bright</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90vOsQqot0ilC0_ZDRbWdEC0uCASUzfsE887ZWXmIHF2ihV6lIx8Hbk_G6Fd5MTcrw6Vapvrohugqm_7OrEi-xXbsjZSAVuQiBXhEJ3ETn9RzdVrde-G3dqNFHJeGvzJCzXFBtMiJTMAC/s1600/IMG_20150824_161350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90vOsQqot0ilC0_ZDRbWdEC0uCASUzfsE887ZWXmIHF2ihV6lIx8Hbk_G6Fd5MTcrw6Vapvrohugqm_7OrEi-xXbsjZSAVuQiBXhEJ3ETn9RzdVrde-G3dqNFHJeGvzJCzXFBtMiJTMAC/s200/IMG_20150824_161350.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, Deer!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-__BY-Jfg0ObwZE7NJ_5ABgaZGkbxUZAkQc_xSA9hH8fkjY-qbfgxZmTHgkRPJMs1zB7z4VhplR3rVI7ISUeip54x6i1Q4QbI-ARgKQoFeLxFVDxOBn9B0fnGBZDfY5KgyvRCEL3b6vA2/s1600/IMG_20150824_162426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-__BY-Jfg0ObwZE7NJ_5ABgaZGkbxUZAkQc_xSA9hH8fkjY-qbfgxZmTHgkRPJMs1zB7z4VhplR3rVI7ISUeip54x6i1Q4QbI-ARgKQoFeLxFVDxOBn9B0fnGBZDfY5KgyvRCEL3b6vA2/s200/IMG_20150824_162426.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin on a Bike!</td></tr>
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They are elaborate, yet lightweight and can hang on a single small nail. They are not perfectly square. The edges are painted and adorned with ribbon or webbing; all are sealed with gloss coating. They will last for years without any maintenance<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwqU10QbBqYqZvtUHaNMhqlBEyEWnr18zqfXFevPUGGyJGtRDkcQrWdIR_0NVVp6KJaEKDtWCyX2wQEc_myBQ7NPgwT2LIT3IHHGt1yqtv271sMDVNxlAKI3viO3bVzEW4TGtu7A9912x/s1600/IMG_20150829_150853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfwqU10QbBqYqZvtUHaNMhqlBEyEWnr18zqfXFevPUGGyJGtRDkcQrWdIR_0NVVp6KJaEKDtWCyX2wQEc_myBQ7NPgwT2LIT3IHHGt1yqtv271sMDVNxlAKI3viO3bVzEW4TGtu7A9912x/s200/IMG_20150829_150853.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Mandala</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5s4DRtfm0g6r32BdF7-2a4cWGPKZ1UU5imnVb2iK1Dx57it60rsLUqT-31pUtL82nsMpjlYeM0pylBOH14UvTcyPgHY8yt4NnJKWuI6rYCN-GycIWEMTtYbd8ywZxKltDVFx8aE5wG45/s1600/IMG_20150825_001054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5s4DRtfm0g6r32BdF7-2a4cWGPKZ1UU5imnVb2iK1Dx57it60rsLUqT-31pUtL82nsMpjlYeM0pylBOH14UvTcyPgHY8yt4NnJKWuI6rYCN-GycIWEMTtYbd8ywZxKltDVFx8aE5wG45/s200/IMG_20150825_001054.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A client in Calabasas, CA with her first</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">!</td></tr>
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Currently priced at $125.00 USD per piece; with volume discounts for groupings. The artists can customize pieces with your clients' colors, themes, and can include bits and pieces, logos, marketing materials, etc. They can match pantone colors or interior paint colors.<br />
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And, they make lovely, unique gifts!<br />
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For more information, visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheArtRoomPetersburg" target="_blank">The Art Room's Facebook Page...</a>The artists can also be contacted through www.TheArtRoomPetersburg.com<br />
Follow on <a href="https://instagram.com/theartroompva" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0The Art Room37.2325968 -77.40432870000000837.2325473 -77.404407700000007 37.232646300000006 -77.404249700000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-61200297935556461672015-08-03T10:25:00.001-07:002015-08-03T10:25:54.767-07:00http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited--Gallery-Opening-.html?soid=1101327089968&aid=3GF-Wu6N_90<a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited--Gallery-Opening-.html?soid=1101327089968&aid=3GF-Wu6N_90">http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-Invited--Gallery-Opening-.html?soid=1101327089968&aid=3GF-Wu6N_90</a>Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-90161634579898642132015-04-03T08:22:00.000-07:002015-04-07T17:21:53.253-07:00Oh Venice, you did it again...UPDATED 4/4/15<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR UPDATES: <br />
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Third trip to Italy - this time I visited Rome, Cinqueterre, Mantua and Venice...and this time was the first time with my darling husband.<br />
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I was inspired EVERYWHERE, and wandering the streets [canals] and alleys of Venice <span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>always</i></b></span> leads me to something that inspires me. Everything outside and inside. I have more ideas than hours in the day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhPoIcGNmlUM4ZlZY5cyI25R8IVh31Jmy7vlgmbfOTqx_IMI7zDNFVuSmreV_v9wzAS2eimvqSR1aCp_bxdQNWQiBtbzhr9LpCZ33itd3NZxecAaCGtCWo7LHxAkSKckn54fK-3CKeFNA/s1600/DSCN1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhPoIcGNmlUM4ZlZY5cyI25R8IVh31Jmy7vlgmbfOTqx_IMI7zDNFVuSmreV_v9wzAS2eimvqSR1aCp_bxdQNWQiBtbzhr9LpCZ33itd3NZxecAaCGtCWo7LHxAkSKckn54fK-3CKeFNA/s1600/DSCN1624.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a> <br />
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On our last day, we were off in a different direction when i came upon a <a href="http://www.duscianabravura.com/en" target="_blank">gallery</a> that took my breath away.<br />
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Too bad they were already closed, I might have tried to purchase everything. Yes, I took photos through the window. Naughty me. Look at Dusciana Bravura's amazing sculptures online. But...the wall of little square mosaics captured my attention.<br />
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Check these out! Of course, they are made from GLASS...I don't know if theyre grouted or fused or what... but they are meticulously made from glass tiles, mirrors, millifiore cane, maybe cermics?<br />
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I know how to create glass mosaics, but I work in paper. This display gave me an idea that I could incorporate [borrow...steal...?] into my work with junk mail and found objects.<br />
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So with proper PROPS to Dusciana Bravura... here's my venture into creating small pieces: on canvas - using/ upcycling a smattering of stuff I had on hand - in my many drawers of junk mail, Christmas cards, ceramic tiles, beads, crystals and jewels from my Grandmother and Mom's collection [they were jewelers in the 50's] mirrors, rhinestones, electronic parts, hardware [tacks, bolts, etc.]. souvenirs, wood, clock parts, napkin rings, glitter, glass beads, bobbins, plastic toys and more:<br />
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Now I'm obsessed with making more! So far, I've made 16. They are 6x6", on thick canvas. They're painted all around with lace trim on the side... very shiny and no two are alike. They have a very high gloss coating. Here are some detail pics: <br />
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I have a few more ideas up my sleeve from that trip... </div>
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For you non-creative types... LOOK AROUND YOU and you'll find a world of inspiration!</div>
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I'm calling this collection of little canvases "<u><b>Miroir aux Alouettes</b></u>"</div>
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Each piece has mirrors - round, tiny squares or larger ones. All of them include gold leafing and reflective materials. The term refers to traps used to catch larks. They had tiny mirrors on them, to attract the birds that like "shiny things!" All of the canvases are coated several times with a glossy medium; some have glitter, some are irridescent, some contain glass beads or other shiny lacquers. </div>
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24 as of 4/7/2015</div>
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<a href="http://www.schimmelart.com/col_fauna.htm" target="_blank">Please click HERE to view the collection on my site!</a></div>
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-84584095765959750602015-03-23T10:39:00.005-07:002015-03-23T10:39:47.586-07:00The oddly glowing and extravagantly bejeweled Blue Hippo of Luck and Love in Situ.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Imagine you are wandering on your own, contemplating your future when your reverie is interrupted by a huffling noise amid the nearby grasses. A grunting noise accompanied by that of squishing of muck and mire, green blades of grass moving to and fro. You explore further and come upon a clearing - a puddle of mud occupied by a single, blue hippopotamus.</div>
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This beast is not only of unusual color, but also covered in a pattern of sparkling jewels. He glitters in the sunlight, his eyes are shimmering sapphires. Typically, hippos are dangerous to humans, but this particular specimen is not. In fact, you have discovered a mystery, a good luck charm, an enchanted being with the power to distribute luck and love to those who find him by accident. For those who need a boost of luck, or a true love to arrive, you only need to find him.</div>
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Gaze upon him, then close your eyes and visualize that which will fulfill your heart's deepest wish. His power is yours for just a moment, as he will disappear as quickly as he arrived. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The Oddly Glowing and Extravagantly Bejeweled Blue Hippo of Luck and Love In Situ.</b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhi Schimmel Gold's Blue Hippo </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-dobid="hdw">in si·tu</span></span></i></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="lr_dct_ph"><span>/in ˈsīto͞o</span>,<span>ˈsē-</span>/</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">adverb & adjective</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>adverb: <b>in situ</b></span><span>; adjective: <b>in situ</b></span><span>; adverb: <b>insitu</b></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>in its original place.</span>"<span>mosaics and frescoes have been left in situ"</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>in position.</span> "her guests were all in situ"</span></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.schimmelart.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Copyright 2015 Sandhi Schimmel Gold - Schimmel Art. Made from upcycled/recycled/repurposed junk mail and other paper that would otherwise go to waste - on canvas - using only non-toxic materials. Covered with repurposed "jewels," rhinestones and sparkling lacquer.</span></span></a></div>
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-60760238730542460512015-02-12T09:28:00.000-07:002015-02-12T09:35:18.518-07:00Clever, Funny, Creative, Knowledgeable, Insightful, Experienced and other superlatives...No, not talking about me.<br />
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No...the funniest guy in the room - is also the smartest one - the brain you want to tap into - is my Brother...Jeff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ88UhCHAhGU_rfIcajmbuG7GDYneaIyKuDXN5h90wqKcbs_SsOvJDdlISgJzOciuZh2tXhW5E5me-dKPVijKuy3R9ELsWIMZpT59uNE0_8JcC9AEsk7l9Mz7C4w-I2XpQZjOtrOpwSmI/s1600/b06d2d_f73c277821ab4bceb5eabeeefd23b0d4.png_srz_p_97_135_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_png_srz.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJ88UhCHAhGU_rfIcajmbuG7GDYneaIyKuDXN5h90wqKcbs_SsOvJDdlISgJzOciuZh2tXhW5E5me-dKPVijKuy3R9ELsWIMZpT59uNE0_8JcC9AEsk7l9Mz7C4w-I2XpQZjOtrOpwSmI/s1600/b06d2d_f73c277821ab4bceb5eabeeefd23b0d4.png_srz_p_97_135_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_png_srz.png" /></a></div>
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His memories of our childhood, he would argue, is different than mine. He was the golden child - literally - golden hair, golden skin, bright green eyes with long golden lashes. A golden orb glowing from within. The kid with the straight A's. He grew so fast during junior high, if he stood still you could watch his pants grow shorter. We fought like cats and dogs, nearly to the death, at times. In some ways I was jealous of how smart he [was] is.<br />
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He was going to go places. And he did - he was a huge fan of Bruce Lee, so he became one of his teacher's students. Jeff earned a black belt in Jeet Kune Do [a system of fighting - Kung Fu-ey] and studied Mandarin. That meant college in Seatlle. College at Cornell, in Arizona... law school in NYC and Los Angeles. The kid my parents thought was the one and only hope for the American Dream [of refugees] was on track -- but secretly unhappy and frustrated. A family of creative types spawned another generation of unabashed creative types.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1cdle6rjdsNsVvDx2TQKisnlPvFDkZGxuJlCAhJmOjbsplfwjgEcu9T8hSx15Y6fL9ARAC0v24M7DkXMWeyPiki56ZXdYEvCuwS79A4cOxGjXnt9RsEfCAvkwIDSpLFt0WY9WJyTdYFD/s1600/index3+22-43-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1cdle6rjdsNsVvDx2TQKisnlPvFDkZGxuJlCAhJmOjbsplfwjgEcu9T8hSx15Y6fL9ARAC0v24M7DkXMWeyPiki56ZXdYEvCuwS79A4cOxGjXnt9RsEfCAvkwIDSpLFt0WY9WJyTdYFD/s1600/index3+22-43-25.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a>A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/0879801271/ref=asc_df_08798012713424983?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=pg-1583-86-20&linkCode=df0&creative=395097&creativeASIN=0879801271" target="_blank">Psychocybernetics</a> workshop conducted by our old family friend Shirley unearthed an unspoken dream...which was confirmed by my good friend Joyce, an astrolger... [I got Jeff a reading as a gift] Jeff's real talent, and future would lie in his ability to write.<br />
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So, the Doctor of Jurisprudence moved to the City of Angels and thus began a 30+ year multi-dimensional career that included writing for Television...Movies...Stand-Up Comedians and more. <br />
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Jeff has produced more than #1 rated Radio show and has an been an active member of the Writers Guild. He's been clever, nimble, intelligent, funny...and more. He's worked with more celebrities than I could name... from writing their jokes to screenplays...[movies that actually got MADE]. He even pitched our Mom's story to a movie studio - which got optioned by none other than Steven Spielberg!<br />
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Many people in the industry, not just newbies, turned to Jeff for advice. He gave it freely... and was spot on. A lot of people would concur. Me? I admire him from afar. During one hiatus, Jeff developed a workshop in response to a writer's group in Phoenix. He flew over, put a bunch of people in a room and after 2 days they walked out with their brains bursting - full of know-how, and a healthy dose of reality. We all know that you have to take your Hollywood ambition with a hefty grain of salt.<br />
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I've been bugging my brother to bring his "workshop" to my neck of the woods, and he is. Maybe you just need your script punched up, maybe you want to ask questions about pitching your idea for a TV show, maybe you're thinking of buying a typewriter...He is one cool dude, he will not only tell you everything he knows, he'll also tell you what not to do, in a smart and affordable way.<br />
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<a href="http://www.maximumscreenwriting.com/" target="_blank">So if you've EVER thought of writing for Television or Movies... or jokes, or other projects, this is the time to sign up - if you live in Baltimore, or Washington, or are willing to drive there for a weekend... if you live in or near New Orleans...or Phoenix... and if not - contact Jeff and maybe he'll bring a workshop your way. He's the funniest guy in the room, and he's got the chops to teach you a thing or two. </a><br />
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I still admire my brother, I think you will, too. Click on the link above to see what he's up to -- Maximum Screenwriting - and if you have a writer's group, contact him - and if you, just you have always wanted to write? This is the guy to know. He's not so blonde anymore...but he's still golden - and glowing, as far as I'm concerned!<br />
<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-81640719655698425452014-12-23T11:45:00.000-07:002014-12-24T09:19:47.771-07:00What Christmas Means to Me.<br />
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What does Christmas mean to me? <br />
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Nothing.<br />
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It's not my holiday! </div>
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<a href="data:<;base64,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" 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<div style="text-align: left;">
All this stuff?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pretty, but meaningless.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I grew up the child of immigrant parents. Jewish. Holocaust survivors. Both of them.</div>
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Of
course, as children, their neighbors and playmates in Hungary and
Czechoslovakia had Christmas trees, and plenty of traditions...leaving
their shoes outside, hay for reindeer... etc.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But they
never followed them, never celebrated, didn't go to church. Didn't
recognize Jesus as the son of G-d, or G-d or anything like that.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nothing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Who was Jesus? A nice Jewish boy, had some interesting ideas, tragically died young.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
was a little jealous of our Catholic neighbors, the Fredricks... they
had the tree, the ornaments, presents... we had Hannukah, a nice holiday
- we had a menorah, dreidels, gelt,
potato pancakes [never had a jelly donut, must not be a Hungarian
thing.] We did get some presents, but not giant toys, not the crazy haul
the Fredricks
girls got. We didn't have disposable income. I used to go over to check
out the tree - I tried a candy cane at their house, and it was nasty.
They also had a dog that wanted to bite me [Tuffy],
so I didn't spend a lot of time there. Besides, those crucifixes on the
wall were pretty graphic and not very cheerful. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At that time, people were still blaming the Jews for Jesus' death, so I kept it on the down-low when I could. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I never understood the issue... if Jesus didn't die, didn't resurrect... you wouldn't have him as a saviour...so <i>what's</i> the problem? I thought Jesus' entire message was about love. About forgiveness.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For
centuries, our loving Christian brethren have been slaughtering Jews
for that crime, and for any other reason that pleased them. My parents
and their families really paid a steep price. When I was a kid, in the
20th Century... my loving Christian friends would call me "Christ
killer!" to my face. I would be chased, threatened, and sometimes kicked
or had my hair pulled. I'd shout "I wasn't there! I didn't do it!" but
I guess that doesn't matter...something about bloodguilt? How loving and forgiving that practice is...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In college, I piped up during a <u>Religions of the World</u>
class when the professor [actually the Dean of the Humanities
Department of a publicly funded state school] told the class we would
all go to hell if we didn't accept Jesus as our personal saviour. He
also had us read the single chapter on Judaism to discuss. I was a
little disturbed - the entire chapter was almost entirely devoted to
circumcision. that The Q&A included questions about big noses
[?] controlling the banks and Hollywood, and using Christian children to
make Matzo. Well, that was fun!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hey, there were Hindu
and Muslim kids in that class, too... and he made fun of their
religions relentlessly! Then there's me...the outspoken Jew [and two
others that were cowering in their seats] who disliked the increasing spread of this
"propaganda." <br />
<br />
I was followed to my car after that class. By a few loving
Christians who wanted to beat the living daylights out of me. Why? Luckily, I
had a pair of nunchaku under my car seat and I knew how to use them. I got all Bruce Lee on them and they left me alone.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE0-1LthjaWSlyfTlLwtG0ddAPwS5SBskMWvrKz4N-eUyuWiKEa4spuF3mltpBRSJWdjbqzXLFIrQ5jOzrv4L1wV0bnwLb_y4RpBinQckhtbv4iX5-NJpEqD9uwQl6c6zeUFjK7wlwOk7/s1600/index.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE0-1LthjaWSlyfTlLwtG0ddAPwS5SBskMWvrKz4N-eUyuWiKEa4spuF3mltpBRSJWdjbqzXLFIrQ5jOzrv4L1wV0bnwLb_y4RpBinQckhtbv4iX5-NJpEqD9uwQl6c6zeUFjK7wlwOk7/s1600/index.jpg" height="124" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I stopped going to that class for the rest of the semester.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsQVwQRpiUhQ4LX7ApMDRWXWPW90IzhplRU2OwUWwXjsmWUqLIcVAtUTDl44pjRRmDIBHzNPPIADNOPsJPhDjhEjwiS8-NB_Ih8s-OMP4of_mHaQEuqtrkdsiBKDsuX3MC2CKxND3QIzT/s1600/index.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsQVwQRpiUhQ4LX7ApMDRWXWPW90IzhplRU2OwUWwXjsmWUqLIcVAtUTDl44pjRRmDIBHzNPPIADNOPsJPhDjhEjwiS8-NB_Ih8s-OMP4of_mHaQEuqtrkdsiBKDsuX3MC2CKxND3QIzT/s1600/index.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a>At
about the same time, I had a part time job at a department store, in
the gift wrap department. I used to wear a beautiful silver necklace
with a Magen
David pendant. A beautifully attired older woman brought me gifts to
wrap, and while I did... my necklace was dangling... the woman asked me
what it was... she actually reached over and touched it. I said it was a
magen david
[sounding more like the Hebrew than English] she said "What?" Oh... A
Star of David... "What?" Oh... a Jewish Star I told her. She immediately
reached out, lifted up my hair and asked me where my horns were. Oh,
these adorable Christian traditions based on a bastardization of a word
in Exodus describing Moses... and this statue didn't help. Thanks,
Michelangelo for keepin' it real. Not.<br />
<br />
Through the years...every job I've ever had [when I wasn't self-employed] I would ask for the High Holy Days off... back when I actually went to Synagogue and bought into all that jazz. [These days, I'm more of a provisional agnostic] [I'm not a joiner] Every time... without fail... some fellow employee, or boss would insist if I took those days off, I had to work on Christmas. Well -- you oughta know, I was perfectly willing to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... I wasn't doing anything else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I got older, I
paid attention to more things. I read more about Christianity. How did
things get so off course? I totally get how an Emperor wants to be
large and in charge in Constantinople, and then how Rome gets all pissed
so they have a break up. I totally get the difference between Catholics
and the other denominations, and totally get how a randy fat king gets
to invent his own version of Christianity so he can get out of a
marriage so he can have his way with a hot babe... or how a really angry
guy can nail some new rules on a church wall... and how you guys burned
each other on the stake depending on who was in power, and how another
king gets to translate the bible into English for the masses and gets to
do a little editing along the way to make it more convenient...so yeah,
over the last few thousand years, there are many, many versions of
Christianity.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwndaHu2djh1f1Mo0_aLHdDuzDYcxW4knIAxMeRndl52X2M4RuPTOOmMp86rfHQj7OSRJDuMO3WTjpmeOp7473y3LkJcHWseRWAkev-eM5i-1XKu4yh_TtDVTwymzR0VnYamVffK51Uh2J/s1600/moses-demotivational-poster-1257267919.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwndaHu2djh1f1Mo0_aLHdDuzDYcxW4knIAxMeRndl52X2M4RuPTOOmMp86rfHQj7OSRJDuMO3WTjpmeOp7473y3LkJcHWseRWAkev-eM5i-1XKu4yh_TtDVTwymzR0VnYamVffK51Uh2J/s1600/moses-demotivational-poster-1257267919.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a>Sure, there are different versions of Judaism, but the only differences is how strict you are, and how many of the original <b>613 commandments</b> you want to follow [yeah, not 10]. And, I know people who do. Follow. All of them.</div>
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It also cracks me up when I see pics of Moses </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
with the tablets and they have Roman numerals...Um... no Rome yet, dummy? Even Hebrew isn't right!</div>
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So,
if this is sounding more like a diatribe against Christmas from a
battered and abused Jewish kid... let me get back to the actual
holiday... and why it is meaningless to me. From an outsider looking in.
I still don't like peppermint, btw. </div>
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I'm not really much of a Jew either, I consider myself Jew-ish.</div>
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My
first words were "more lights," I was told. I must have been talking
early, but it runs in our family. I made my parents drive around
neighborhoods to look at them. They are beautiful. I'll give you that.
I'm guessing this is some kind of electronic nod to the Star of
Bethlehem? If Jesus himself walked up to this house, do you think for a minute he would recognize this as a celebration of his birthday? Or his teachings? </div>
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Santa Claus. Sinter
Claus? Old St. Nick? but how is he related to Jesus? Does that make him
Jewish, too? Well... a nice story about the guy who gave to poor
children got mushed from St. Niclaus to Santa Claus... I don't get the connection between that real story and the guy invented
by Coca Cola <br />
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to sell more soda... but yeah, it's fun. Somehow, the
story of a simple, Jewish rabbi wandering around the desert preaching
love, and spirituality turned into mishegas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURHZoXydduBqdJqx82aDJ9hPmlQBIsUpe2isbcb7doDR63Bw4-M1y4vMN19u7RbvqWZgfr7FyQX9I1V_Np77hMzUrYc3tDDsK3xmYJ1fFMdG7aPiYdGadl62lG-WFvkalnfi-npEf5j25/s1600/index3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURHZoXydduBqdJqx82aDJ9hPmlQBIsUpe2isbcb7doDR63Bw4-M1y4vMN19u7RbvqWZgfr7FyQX9I1V_Np77hMzUrYc3tDDsK3xmYJ1fFMdG7aPiYdGadl62lG-WFvkalnfi-npEf5j25/s1600/index3.jpg" /></a></div>
Nothing says Jesus died for the sins of the world... like a dachshund ornament or ballet slippers! <br />
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</div>
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The guy who warned his followers against being "of the world and losing your soul" inspired people to go broke buying their kids presents?</div>
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The man who said to <u>love your neighbors as yourself</u> inspired the annual <i>War on Christmas</i>?<br />
<br />
And, those who think this is a Christian nation instead of a
nation - a Republic - with a majority population of Christians. These
kind folks think I'm gonna get all warm and fuzzy if they get in my face
to sneer <b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: red;">Merry Christmas!!!</span></span></b> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>AT ME</b></span> instead of just saying Happy Holidays...or Seasons Greetings. Or busts a gasket if the Target Lady says Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas?</div>
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You
can have your holiday, it's a lovely time of year, get over yourself.
Why do people get so angry at people that don't celebrate Christmas? Or
throw Memes around the internet
saying the White House tree is now called a Holiday Tree by a Muslim
President [major sigh inserted here] Are you really practicing your
faith or are you just a blowhard fan?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNhhNgAq8aNtRVcS1kDAmCZpbqefKB7O-6iWaCQrP0PQeQ6SD2nGgi_jhzbmAeGZWXBYrAvggsUY2ZGYZHeQ__6dalEHr3SXhjMXpX4sMTZVHj5d5w_l3u13j53bouzggG7KPA3D92nmO/s1600/indexn.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNhhNgAq8aNtRVcS1kDAmCZpbqefKB7O-6iWaCQrP0PQeQ6SD2nGgi_jhzbmAeGZWXBYrAvggsUY2ZGYZHeQ__6dalEHr3SXhjMXpX4sMTZVHj5d5w_l3u13j53bouzggG7KPA3D92nmO/s1600/indexn.jpg" /></a>No
one even gave children presents for Christmas until the visit from St. Nick poem came
out... it was written by a rich guy in 1893 who didn't want to give his
servants gifts for Christmas [as was the custom], but instead
invented this gat guy, the reindeer and all that... so SANTA would have to
give the gifts, not him. Then, the department stores got in the act, and
the rest is history.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Did you know that celebrating
Christmas in America was illegal for a while??? Have you heard of
Separation of Church and State? Honestly, your nativity set is lovely...
get it off the courthouse lawn.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The man who said the only way into heaven is to <span style="font-size: large;"><b>DO</b></span> the WILL OF G-D [which includes: to love mercy, serve others - especially the poor and walk humbly...., love your neighbor <i>{<a href="http://www.feedingamerica.org/" target="_blank">so start donating to your local food bank</a></i>}]
and not what you SAY.<br />
So, it's not how many times you say Merry
Christmas, or how big your Christmas display is, or how many trees you
have up or how much that Playstation cost...it's what you DO and how you ACT. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ham
for Christmas dinner? Uh, you know Jesus was kosher, right? Plaid bows?
Wow, that technology wasn't invented yet in year 32 of the Common Era.
Getting a tattoo of Jesus? That's not cool...as far back as Leviticus! </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Celebrating
Christmas has turned into a circus. Every year, I hear someone say "Put
Christ back into Christmas." I don't see it, folks. When I look at
Christmas trees, I know Jesus never saw an evergreen. Santa doesn't
belong in the lexicon. Elves? come on, what did ancient Jews know from
the North Pole?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3Q_gfWEJEt-_gvG2SOINTHoz1gLJYEhzC0eExh79aDaBDMyl8VOon_OCwTaDAM0jO1xpTX8ubdOh4FLkNg1NI6qGv3TtgV5PiY8yGovaNITkSTaDlj-shPkxjR-G8m2XcCFU4E1KUZN1/s1600/amahl.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3Q_gfWEJEt-_gvG2SOINTHoz1gLJYEhzC0eExh79aDaBDMyl8VOon_OCwTaDAM0jO1xpTX8ubdOh4FLkNg1NI6qGv3TtgV5PiY8yGovaNITkSTaDlj-shPkxjR-G8m2XcCFU4E1KUZN1/s1600/amahl.jpg" height="200" width="148" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm
not being a grinch. I just don't take it seriously. I might've stayed
up late on Christmas eve once...staring at the fireplace, just in case. I
like cookies. I like carols. I really love Amahl and the Night
Visitors. I'd watch the Mr Magoo or Black Adder Christmas Carol anytime.
Mostly because it doesn't mean anything to me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When
I was a display artist, I decorated Christmas trees. I could fluff and
light a tree faster than anyone. I fell in love with the lights and
colors, and ornaments. I collect glass ones. They're out all year. One
year, I got a sandblasted mesquite tree, painted it with bumper chrome,
put blue and white lights on it and ornaments. No star, no plaid bows.
It was our winter solstice tree. I can be a little pagan if the mood
suits.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I see the Christmas being celebrated all around
me as a morph between outlandish capitalism, the torture of the Santa myth until kids are horribly
disappointed later - and pagan rituals. What you call Christmas has
almost nothing to do with Jesus. And, I am not a believer... so other
than the fact that I still don't like Candy Canes, Christmas means
nothing to me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA4kP7AOQF_wvbtytwRyZN8TRja0Z4xXaAJa9hgPO4gzU0JWsUnjOhLq9Oj8hu2443zRW3tm47Uw4CS9E9MYbKzOy1DmREcSc0-vZIUHW2ySd41oXU58uHH_UO-JBd_HCJH5ptHaesB2i/s1600/index.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirA4kP7AOQF_wvbtytwRyZN8TRja0Z4xXaAJa9hgPO4gzU0JWsUnjOhLq9Oj8hu2443zRW3tm47Uw4CS9E9MYbKzOy1DmREcSc0-vZIUHW2ySd41oXU58uHH_UO-JBd_HCJH5ptHaesB2i/s1600/index.jpg" /></a>I know you have traditions, and they are nice.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjAdnh0jigb52naR3yu1LAOg6lAMoVs23vqXktXgs4r_8z1eO21lq0Y8QDxkM5xuf8oWdKVT-E11nJwHoVvK5eZT_4fErsLc-MIU-NTX__xLiIPWuyRUXSFX3YG2I5sLu7rbXDe2jFMtC/s1600/X-MasChinese-1.650x950.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjAdnh0jigb52naR3yu1LAOg6lAMoVs23vqXktXgs4r_8z1eO21lq0Y8QDxkM5xuf8oWdKVT-E11nJwHoVvK5eZT_4fErsLc-MIU-NTX__xLiIPWuyRUXSFX3YG2I5sLu7rbXDe2jFMtC/s1600/X-MasChinese-1.650x950.jpg" height="320" width="218" /></a>I have mine, too. Movies and Chinese Food... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qpUzK2nYmxtfNoys6Uh5Vz2v2roFNv8S6fh0qEKZUarCk79X0dwl-aFaiEr5g0hLm7SNLY95UwaJB92uSg8-64qTTidXV8yrJg-P41dvZ5842DyMYOYZipUZYNt40mhX_zPBEzFzNbP6/s1600/index2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qpUzK2nYmxtfNoys6Uh5Vz2v2roFNv8S6fh0qEKZUarCk79X0dwl-aFaiEr5g0hLm7SNLY95UwaJB92uSg8-64qTTidXV8yrJg-P41dvZ5842DyMYOYZipUZYNt40mhX_zPBEzFzNbP6/s1600/index2.jpg" height="200" width="187" /></a>and
for many years, I'd go to Vegas. With all the other non-Christians [and
that one granny chain-smoking at the nickel slot machine with her tacky
Christmas sweater on]. I'm sure there are plenty of Christians there,
too. After all, it's a Christian nation.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So
if someone wishes YOU an easy fast on Yom Kippur, you'll be cool with
that, right? Of if someone hopes you have a bright Dewali...you'll
be grateful for the kind wishes. If someone hopes you family is blessed
with warmth and grace during Ramadan, you'll say "Thank you, you
too!"....right?<br />
<br />
If you say Merry Christmas to me, I'll say "thanks, you, too!" back. I won't get mad at you. If I get a Christmas card instead of a Seasons Greetings card, I won't get mad. If I put a wreath on my door...that's blue and white... I don't think Santa is coming, it's just pretty. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, Christmas is just not my holiday,
and I don't celebrate it at all. It's great for those who do, but for
me...it's just Thursday.<br />
<br />
I'm sure these are pretty tasty, though... <br />
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Happy Holidays!<br />
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" 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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-3649781128886410072014-11-05T21:48:00.002-07:002014-11-05T21:48:54.816-07:00The Commission ConundrumA lovely couple in Austin already own some of my work...<br />
Several months ago, Husband contacted me and asked if I would create a special piece for their 50th Anniversary. He was going to send me some photos... due date way in the future.<br />
<br />
I was in the middle of a really large corporate commission, so I didn't even take a peek at the photo[s] until I was getting close to starting.<br />
This is what I found.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Tb7h641lMT5od9MXpPMYJYiIwHlr1gqjIF-Qalanw_5vFZiZ5C8gARIv2CJiPWUI0NeOzVnTTzyB-hD78_bdVn6GTIE_hqtwd9u05Nzu04wlSfUTZswAc6SvpVYDS1_0j1PVtM7jB0YS/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Tb7h641lMT5od9MXpPMYJYiIwHlr1gqjIF-Qalanw_5vFZiZ5C8gARIv2CJiPWUI0NeOzVnTTzyB-hD78_bdVn6GTIE_hqtwd9u05Nzu04wlSfUTZswAc6SvpVYDS1_0j1PVtM7jB0YS/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Original size? About 8x10"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Oh boy.<br />
I was in trouble.<br />
<br />
Husband wanted a piece 16x20" - usually no problem. But it wasn't a close up. It was their wedding pic from 1964! Husband wanted both of them in the pic, veil, cake and all.<br />
<br />
Uh oh.<br />
I was in <b>BIG</b> trouble.<br />
<br />
Usually, a 16x20" portrait is a very close head shot.<br />
I work from photos, and these were aged...faded...the colors were a little off. I couldn't see both of them as clearly as I would like.<br />
I asked... can I just do a close up wife? [no]<br />
Can I skip the cake? [I hope not]<br />
Can I see some more photos? [sure]<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Husband sent more pics.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Didn't help.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
I tried sketching, I tried painting. I wanted to say "uncle." </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
I wrote - <i>I'm sorry, I can't do it.</i></div>
<br />
Husband wrote me a short, but lovely note. It hit me in the heart. I suddenly felt even MORE connected to this couple. I studied their photos. She looks like a doll...so lovely. He looks so happy.<br />
<i>Alright... I'll do it.</i><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1MUi8bIJaNAYYvODgLfO56xXmais18TPz-uXrAYeNtpFdejnMQ2Ts0f_Ohj_tTLpAOxIPlEmyWU6bxYHmkmvBRriXNNo0K8CgoN_bzQjafYXx5ztxOMNxtiXzAdRwBjvCJYGH1IkxsXH/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1MUi8bIJaNAYYvODgLfO56xXmais18TPz-uXrAYeNtpFdejnMQ2Ts0f_Ohj_tTLpAOxIPlEmyWU6bxYHmkmvBRriXNNo0K8CgoN_bzQjafYXx5ztxOMNxtiXzAdRwBjvCJYGH1IkxsXH/s1600/images.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's why they call it making Art the Agony and the Ecstasy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It reminded me... why artists sometimes feel like they're painting the Sistine Chapel. A portrait is so personal, so meaningful. I mean.. I can't screw this up!<br />
It's too important.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
I cropped the photo to this. I tried to amp up the colors.<br />
I started, like always, with a sketch.<br />
Terrified.<br />
<br />
Is this going to work?<br />
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I painted, I cut paper, I got into it. <br />
Suddenly, I felt like I was in the groove.<br />
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I looked forward to every day spent with the couple.<br />
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Parts of this portrait are really simple, parts are VERY complicated.<br />
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I kept going back and forth between their wedding photo and their portrait to be. I figured out what would work for me... and hoped they'd like it.<br />
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Here's the finished piece and some details. The majority is upcycled junk mail [like I do] and I used paper doilies to create the lace... some rhinestones for details in the veil [and ring]. I made a few color changes and a bit of paint to hopefully make the tulle more realistic. This is not in professional lighting...just a quick pic while still on the easel... sorry about the glare.<br />
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A challenge met is a real triumph. I'm very proud of what I created.<br />
And, the happy couple is really happy, too. I was out of town when Husband received the finished piece. His note to me made me cry.<br />
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Say what you want about suffering for your art - making something with your heart and soul...with your own two hands - that has such a tremendous affect on another person[s] is what it's all about, baby.<br />
I will forever be connected to this lovely couple who have a piece of me on their wall and I have a piece of them in my heart.<br />
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-89229150819368712362014-11-05T15:46:00.003-07:002014-11-05T15:52:31.916-07:0010 years in the making - HARAJUKU Girls Kawaii! Style...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Something like...oh, ten years ago Gwen Stefani's song Harajuku Girls came out. I liked the song, the album, and thought the styles the Harajuku girls developed was so much fun! I never forgot it.</div>
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Here's a pic of Gwen with a few of the girls... and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qecNL1266ms" target="_blank">here's a LINK</a> to the song on YouTube.</div>
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I had a dream about a year ago... in it, I was creating these ridiculous necklaces featuring plastic babies, that were flocked. I searched high and low for the right size babies, bought 'em, painted 'em, flocked 'em. They're still in my studio waiting for a place to go.<br />
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I rediscovered Harajuku girls again... and there are a LOT of different styles. I like the Kawaii style that includes a lot of toys, baby colors, and ornaments. Here are some samples of what's happening in 2014:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOmkaPgmZ1n-LqkXVyuz8-njXfVJ2Y-DiC8KTsySQ1dbCdYMLZ9O3Lr6v87ZfSGr5WPA0Uj6Sl_eA4OTPEwZPmpZqUgadOlbSJUDVKy5FRxYZam-4rfHXvaSSEIGNbwLR971ZAZgokn5a/s1600/Harajuku-Decora-Fashion-2013-11-24-DSC1363-600x900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUOmkaPgmZ1n-LqkXVyuz8-njXfVJ2Y-DiC8KTsySQ1dbCdYMLZ9O3Lr6v87ZfSGr5WPA0Uj6Sl_eA4OTPEwZPmpZqUgadOlbSJUDVKy5FRxYZam-4rfHXvaSSEIGNbwLR971ZAZgokn5a/s1600/Harajuku-Decora-Fashion-2013-11-24-DSC1363-600x900.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwVlCy6cRcqeQQmlAUA8qj_NVtpx71W4PSbwW2gbf5GiNfqPFF_DSdt-dPSONjpAF0zi-AlpmfPu4-IO-Z4nTFi8rxCJHPAFJH5kj0TwNQzl1Jfq2k72bOiVXUDtSyOnlF67MzMXi9m3T/s1600/TK-2014-01-23-017-004-Harajuku-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwVlCy6cRcqeQQmlAUA8qj_NVtpx71W4PSbwW2gbf5GiNfqPFF_DSdt-dPSONjpAF0zi-AlpmfPu4-IO-Z4nTFi8rxCJHPAFJH5kj0TwNQzl1Jfq2k72bOiVXUDtSyOnlF67MzMXi9m3T/s1600/TK-2014-01-23-017-004-Harajuku-600x400.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>Cute, right? I love the sparkles, the Hello Kitty look, the bright colored hair... so I decided to create a portrait of some Harajuku girls using upcycled items. I collected a lot of used things from thrift stores... barrettes, yarn, buttons, toys, jewelry, glittery things... and then started drawing, painting and cutting paper.<br />
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I made some changes along the way - in color scheme and a few other things...my motto is "The Impulse is the Action!" I put some red and white rays in the back to simulate the Japanese flag... everything else is from my imagination and inspiration.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr66RU9LZQv8Aiso9qt0eQTvvkj7QUpaA68t5iq3WlX2xqpcrOXK3osLpwUNHWYru3T88yjY4ssMrwhPH7KwQ8gw7U93hyphenhyphenJpYTI6UEsLRx08wKRAe0zO3hMXuNFH1YQiuEAYUkzqzUFqX/s1600/20141016_123336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr66RU9LZQv8Aiso9qt0eQTvvkj7QUpaA68t5iq3WlX2xqpcrOXK3osLpwUNHWYru3T88yjY4ssMrwhPH7KwQ8gw7U93hyphenhyphenJpYTI6UEsLRx08wKRAe0zO3hMXuNFH1YQiuEAYUkzqzUFqX/s1600/20141016_123336.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first sketch</td></tr>
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The paper I used is in my studio...a collection Holiday cards, packaging, postcards, business cards, menus, calendars, training manuals, trade magazine covers, catalogs, business cards, tags, etc. I save everything. All the paper used in the background is Christmas cards, or paper with metallic. Every single piece is cut by hand and glued on to the painting -I created- on canvas.<br />
I cover all of the painting with paper... and the only paint at the end is used on the eyes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TPyHCkb-mczAe6ISTpl_7ITwoRlYC56PlKKpFjFyuhAm366Ovbs8_092RiycXBZMgT_UNgKD6-Bav4_esbMnsQCR-c5AJ8YJP5HYubcVwkiiOGRwhH-6-_Be0LFe6tWjFowWYpMaOONT/s1600/20141025_001321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TPyHCkb-mczAe6ISTpl_7ITwoRlYC56PlKKpFjFyuhAm366Ovbs8_092RiycXBZMgT_UNgKD6-Bav4_esbMnsQCR-c5AJ8YJP5HYubcVwkiiOGRwhH-6-_Be0LFe6tWjFowWYpMaOONT/s1600/20141025_001321.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper part done!</td></tr>
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After I finished the paper mosaic, I added a little blush [yeah, real makeup] to the "girls" to tint the paper! I sealed the composition with a non-toxic gloss lacquer. Ah...but I wasn't done yet.<br />
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I assembled all those thrift store toys, jewels, etc. to add to the portrait. I know - the girls are flat, and the toys are dimensional. I HAD TO follow through with my vision. I attached, using glue, thread and fishing line... a variety of "stuff."<br />
I even took some of those babies, painted on some pajamas, flocked them with irridescent glitter and coated them... drilled holes into them and made them into a necklace!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH7lL_Vzpuf1R-M6rqiI1ahiezMdufxtgeRfSs-vn1f5zctaCiU7CvaUd9EBx5x6XdXoo9QwzTGiU8vcZchiU4R2jLhl3Xblgqf8H-gIJyt32057enKILSr66WtSDeDJZNydxBOV0EDc5/s1600/20141025_233411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRH7lL_Vzpuf1R-M6rqiI1ahiezMdufxtgeRfSs-vn1f5zctaCiU7CvaUd9EBx5x6XdXoo9QwzTGiU8vcZchiU4R2jLhl3Xblgqf8H-gIJyt32057enKILSr66WtSDeDJZNydxBOV0EDc5/s1600/20141025_233411.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">plastic babies in their glitter onsies</td></tr>
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I cut slits into the canvas to attach hair clips, a crown and earrings. There are jewels, a doll, a pony, hello kitty eraser, a baby pull toy, more weird plastic babies, teddy bears, buttons, and other jewelry. <br />
I was going to use lavender yarn for hair, but it didn't lay right.<br />
At the very end, I touched up the eyes, adding just a bit of paint. The finished piece is 30x40" unframed, but edges are finished. You can see it "in person" in Miami in December at the Spectrum Art Fair. For information on how to get tickets to the oepning, send an email.<br />
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Yeah, it took 10 years for a song to make it to my easel, and to finally get some babies on a necklace!<br />
Thanks for reading!<br />
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-83103889923043277822014-10-29T20:38:00.000-07:002014-10-29T20:38:40.017-07:00Shut Up and F*@$ing Kiss Me, Already!Shut up and Kiss Me...again! Again!<br />
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I've always wanted to show my art in Miami. It's been a goal to get into Art Basel, but I'm not represented by a gallery that will be there. So, I found another way to be Art Basel-adjacent. <br />
I have a few things I want to show, but the most popular image I've ever created is called...<br />
"Shut Up and Kiss Me."<br />
I got out the sketch book and played with an image I've done before... a few times, in different sizes, different color schemes, different styles, different compositions each time.<br />
They're not the same!<br />
They're all one of a kind, all drawn by hand, using a whole group of new materials. I improvise as I go...after all, the impulse is the action!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newest version, bad lighting...in my studio just after completion.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I decided to share a bit of my process with you by taking photos as I went along... you'll see, if you look closely, I change the drawing, the color scheme, and make adjustments to different features. And, it's all done by hand, there are no computer programs that I use, just old-fashioned ART.<br />
I hope you like seeing the process over a length of time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the strips of orange junk mail I was sorting...and my high tech cutting tool!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkTuwe5H-upnKZ_3UUFI3D28qegN9OeRQlq4R0iCAMs8-ZVQfFXiupu0ClevQxlbyWpmm3d59DpGr08hb1eW9nJnsUfBOenqN631Rh9v6jmCxo_6Z3kVK5d2JbOIwOM2ACV2BCd-ClvfL/s1600/shut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkTuwe5H-upnKZ_3UUFI3D28qegN9OeRQlq4R0iCAMs8-ZVQfFXiupu0ClevQxlbyWpmm3d59DpGr08hb1eW9nJnsUfBOenqN631Rh9v6jmCxo_6Z3kVK5d2JbOIwOM2ACV2BCd-ClvfL/s1600/shut.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One version, in a private collection in New York</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3GN74MCq5Ar7pJbHnbyGYj3Aj4JCl9pfkdEnMygddjZ8h66gz0r30cVOlG_0380ClUt8qxhEfkTuygWszm_id-MICRJ3HZEMg5Tmu1qnNwjmubAYxyMMENVm535_Z13uBXGnaozrnSZl/s1600/pucker_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3GN74MCq5Ar7pJbHnbyGYj3Aj4JCl9pfkdEnMygddjZ8h66gz0r30cVOlG_0380ClUt8qxhEfkTuygWszm_id-MICRJ3HZEMg5Tmu1qnNwjmubAYxyMMENVm535_Z13uBXGnaozrnSZl/s1600/pucker_000.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another version, in a private collection in Texas</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ULjKYGKkEIg25MQ-a1YYFIrp6PTduRyoGL5LmfOE3hqqwj-pZLLjT2UbgXufFvo5Q-xfvpTsXHwKnO91gjte4-poCUHd_bs_TcsrodO1sx-fOawDzOAX1Qe1q3cO1q7QN4balUi-wBDT/s1600/DSC01114_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ULjKYGKkEIg25MQ-a1YYFIrp6PTduRyoGL5LmfOE3hqqwj-pZLLjT2UbgXufFvo5Q-xfvpTsXHwKnO91gjte4-poCUHd_bs_TcsrodO1sx-fOawDzOAX1Qe1q3cO1q7QN4balUi-wBDT/s1600/DSC01114_001.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another version, in a private collection in Mexico</td></tr>
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The newest version is 30x40" - and will debut in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - November 15th, 2014<br />
You're invited!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLn_YjBpYrCPFeHK1wzfTl7SG_1KHOJol5hFA0YdSdha9eV8pDMSCW2vCP2t-CHN0GSK-j7HZekrDNDfdWqFTrxcgVwz8yz2Z4m3SuIZost1U7hZ5EUYDPbCkn1D4mtwRwQTrEqjbEUvI/s1600/nov+15th+invite3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLn_YjBpYrCPFeHK1wzfTl7SG_1KHOJol5hFA0YdSdha9eV8pDMSCW2vCP2t-CHN0GSK-j7HZekrDNDfdWqFTrxcgVwz8yz2Z4m3SuIZost1U7hZ5EUYDPbCkn1D4mtwRwQTrEqjbEUvI/s1600/nov+15th+invite3.jpg" height="640" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Artblend-Gallery/116219561727395" target="_blank">click here for more info on the opening</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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And then here:<br />
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-78826245628378180052014-03-25T23:54:00.000-07:002014-03-26T08:42:52.464-07:00Smoke and Mirrors and Wolves and Wall St. and Feet of Iron and ClayMagazines, Celebrity and Advertising - a toxic blend<br />
in the "Age of AspirationTM". <br />
They've sucked you in and made you believe in a world of smoke and mirrors...and you consume the nonsense and you consume the products and rich get richer...<br />
unless they don't...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dORsvkHe8khrsQlO8V0Yv_hTN94QpH3Nakxz3HtQ9qtLSlGX_989MFv6iWnItRoZLW2Gu_69ana8tbxC1vaF2y63dy1owAQ3OxklVvIoh_iwY5F7YXxO2G_Wp_1XUlXa-ejfWPHJxZnh/s1600/index1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dORsvkHe8khrsQlO8V0Yv_hTN94QpH3Nakxz3HtQ9qtLSlGX_989MFv6iWnItRoZLW2Gu_69ana8tbxC1vaF2y63dy1owAQ3OxklVvIoh_iwY5F7YXxO2G_Wp_1XUlXa-ejfWPHJxZnh/s1600/index1.jpg" /></a></div>
Poor L'Wren. It's not the first time a beautiful, talented person met with a devastating end. What seemed like a perfect existence to many on the outside - wealth, famous friends, luxurious surroundings and the best mode of travel... Might be like the life you want...but it may not be all as it seems on the surface. She killed herself. Because she was in debt.<br />
A life beyond her means, and I don't just mean financial means. She reinvented herself and bought into a lie...that the fashion industry [like so many other creative industries] would reward her, with air kisses and fawning praise and great reviews, but more importantly - with a fabulous income. Not enough. So she killed herself because she wasn’t what she seemed.<br />
Suicide due to embarrassment? L’Wren - isn't your legacy so much WORSE? Every news outlet imaginable picking apart your bones - digging in your trash - interviewing everyone you didn't want to know to truth... Just to find out you're in debt... ? It's SO sad. So many were jealous of your life. But now? <br />
Look, it's not that I am unempathetic. I'm baffled! I think there is a problem in our culture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_Ac5_bLATHoEkt7k-GukyanfG-lI6V-45VqqYmoG9j_tS_ijLodmbB4rp-jJZe-ejtjgD07Xy49bviQd9wIn7nG-Qe3MEXdC5Jwq3gW3v6Faq7VNGh5uHPlXZDpGMpbuEB2h85BMBCA7/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_Ac5_bLATHoEkt7k-GukyanfG-lI6V-45VqqYmoG9j_tS_ijLodmbB4rp-jJZe-ejtjgD07Xy49bviQd9wIn7nG-Qe3MEXdC5Jwq3gW3v6Faq7VNGh5uHPlXZDpGMpbuEB2h85BMBCA7/s1600/images.jpg" /></a><b>WHY MUST WE ALL BE FILTHY RICH RIGHT NOW?</b><br />
<b>‘Cause we live in the "Age of AspirationTM". </b><br />
And the people that are most highly regarded by popular demand appear to be RICH beyond your wildest dreams. Grab your Cristal and take a seat while I snark it out.<br />
<br />
I mean, really? What is on the cover of almost any magazine - <i>not including “the one” causing all the controversy right now?</i><br />
<br />
Ugh... photoshopped people doing impossible [for you and me] things - in exotic places - with other beautiful people. Yippee - they’re even losing weight while in the Maldives!<br />
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Inside? Photoshopped people in extremely expensive clothing you can't afford...BUT they are holding ASPIRATION pieces that you might... Can't afford the Prada dress? [What, it's not de rigueur for that parent teacher meeting Wednesday night?] Well...maybe you can afford the handbag...no? perhaps the shoes... no? Come on, the bracelet... alright, how about the perfume? NO??? FINE, just rub the sample on your wrist and call it a day.<br />
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And while I'm at it...not EVERYTHING can be HAUTE couture [so stop saying it, it means something very specific].<br />
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And not EVERY event deserves a carpet...much less a<span style="color: red;"> RED ONE</span>. [What, no RED CARPET at The Bachelorette viewing party you're going to in last year’s Chico’s outlet pants and oversized T clutching a container of hummus and a bottle of three-buck-chuck?]<br />
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<a 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" 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Look at who is being admired!<br />
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Yeah, <i>allegedly</i> getting sued by Trump "University" students who said they didn't learn anything.<br />
<br />
Far be it from me to name the talentless, vapid brood nestled in Calabasas raking in YOUR MONEY pause....pause... pause... And FOR WHAT? What are you thinking? ASPIRATION - "if I buy this perfume, or this clothing off the rack at Sears or watch this show or buy this magazine... then surely I'll be her friend? I'll have an out-of-wedlock baby? I'll have a vacation in Mexico? I’ll need another waxing by Thursday?<br />
No. Nothing will happen. Well...they will make more money. And the magazine will buy more photos of them doing “normal” things.<br />
Proud of yourself?<br />
<br />
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How about a movie [or two] starring Leo DiC that glorifies an outright thief, liar, drug abuser and serial cheat that only glorifies his own low-life self for three hours. So you watch it - no redemption, no remorse, no retribution [well, maybe in one of them, but only by accident]. Real life asshat gets cameo at the end of the other and probably a few mil for the story. Your reward for consuming? ASPIRATION Surely you will get a yacht? a hooker? a trophy wife? <br />
No. Don't think so. But, you probably had a hankerin' for coke [one movie] or ran to Tiffany to buy a piece of jewelry "inspired" by the other movie.<br />
<br />
Of course, you must have a Cadillac. Go ahead, you work hard.<br />
Of course, you must have a Louis Vuitton bag for your chihuahua. <br />
Of course, you must party in Ibiza. Tonight!<br />
Of course, you must book Beyonce for little Clementine's bat mitzvah. And don’t forget to invite little Blue!<br />
<br />
What has our society come to?<br />
IT'S YOUR FAULT! You click on their images, you buy their magazines, their books, their products, you want to look like them, be like them, what's wrong with YOU??? [<i>I mean...what's wrong with you just being you, you're okay the way you are, just ask your dog</i>]<br />
<br />
In the "Age of AspirationTM" everyone wants what they can't get or don't deserve.<br />
Who gets MILLIONS OF DOLLARS into debt? - Oh yeah, those people------> <br />
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<br />
Who has that kind of credit?<br />
I know people that can't afford their MORTGAGE PAYMENT - or their kid's daycare - or their retirement - or a vacation.<br />
<br />
And those goofballs you see on TV living a fabulous life? They're getting paid to do that. And getting freebies all the time. Producers are providing plastic surgery for even the most minor characters [think Storage Wars] so they'll look the part - or disguise smoke and mirrors in camo and facial hair. Every clothing, jewelry, accessory manager under the sun is sending them stuff to wear on TV, sending them on trips, shepherding them into their restaurants and clubs... so their lush life is only getting plusher because of your aspirations!<br />
<br />
STOP BUYING INTO IT!!!<br />
<br />
Silly Rabbits, We've been trixed before.<br />
Why do we admire these people? <br />
All you sports fans who thought - if I buy this glove, this hat, this shirt, these shoes, this bat, this mitt... I'll look like, hit like, run like, Lance or Marion or A-Rod...or so many more...and it was BULL-hockey.<br />
<br />
You voted for cheaters, liars, schemers...who thought they had us fooled until the mistresses showed up in blue dresses or in maternity clothes. Or military officers who fell for the cheeziest milf on the block while protecting others who abused women. The worst lined their pockets with gun money while graves filled with sons and daughters and husbands and brothers. TV channels have talking AIR HEADS spewing vitriol 24/7 so you’ll get mad, or even...and nothing changes because they’re just getting louder, not smarter because it’s all designed to keep you stoopid. <br />
<br />
You wanted to make a boat load of moolah so you trusted Bernie who made off with bazillions.<br />
<a 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" 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Swaggert'd out of plenty of money... Jim and Tammy'd your prayers for nuthin'. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrAamcZUYYtMRgMQjV0BGwd_8IEpyZKPOE_4QJL2DBWpPy5SqAsUy6iAMeXUwrR2rxzoTv2fnuc3_m_3TWexUd280mkfKPRVnoHcPKXaG54HYKEa1_sNUdybah-fMDxWNUKP9MdXJCQy2/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrAamcZUYYtMRgMQjV0BGwd_8IEpyZKPOE_4QJL2DBWpPy5SqAsUy6iAMeXUwrR2rxzoTv2fnuc3_m_3TWexUd280mkfKPRVnoHcPKXaG54HYKEa1_sNUdybah-fMDxWNUKP9MdXJCQy2/s1600/index.jpg" height="200" width="162" /></a>"Culture:" That beautiful young starlet turned forty and now she looks like she was hit straight on by a 40-mile-an-hour hockey puck. Did that aging actor have a screw installed in the back of his head that his doctor turns half a twist every six months? LOOK...WE CAN SEE your plastic surgery...you're not fooling anyone. What animal died on John Travolta’s head? Wouldn't we accept him without hair? <br />
It worked for Sean Connery... and ladies, if you can act...a wrinkle or two isn't gonna keep us from admiring talent.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>YOUR IDOLS HAVE FEET OF CLAY!!!</b></span><br />
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Remember Sex in the City? I just read the average income in NYC is $50,000 a year. Awesome! Who was going out for sushi and $12 Cosmos in their new Jimmy Choo's - at only $1600 a pop!? Gallery assistant? Making...how much?<br />
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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7800351412601325158" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This "Age of AspirationTM" is crazy! It’s rampant. And believe me, I know it... I’m a JOB CREATOR [if you count me, sole proprietor] who creates a product I want you to buy [consume! consume!] and I’m trying real hard not to sell my soul just so kiddo can finish college or I can take the dachshunds to the vet or... you know, eat. Does that mean I have to get gussied up in a satin prom dress, get extensions, a fake tan and nails, 6 inch heels and fling a gimlet in the nearest “real housewife of Colonial Height’s” eye just because she cut me off in line at Panera? I hope not, because they don’t sell alcohol there. Me, [just like L’Wren was] is hoping talent [and the universe] will allow me to make a living. <br />
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" 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" 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" 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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-46530724261168369392013-12-16T11:11:00.000-07:002013-12-17T09:07:56.089-07:00My Appropriation Story...Biography and then some.Old habits are hard to break, and even harder when YOU'RE old. <br />
<br />
I am guilty of appropriation. But I vow... not in the future.<br />
But how did I get here?<br />
<br />
Here's the back story...<br />
<br />
I could blame it on my revered High School Art Teacher, <a href="http://www.piermontfinearts.com/artists/alanlevine" target="_blank">Mr. Levine</a>. I loved him [not romantically]. He taught me a lot, but also some bad habits... including the DEADLY opaque projector technique. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGRbcBiuBjINqmtXaHLvAIS6508HHRF3EMun9-4DiwnfyCGeYkQuIyuZyLV_K_nWgBnRcYWwxy0Fr7yGbEribpf8nBlYRmZm4Npf9VtmTMaLxmfFoYWq5K1P9Ud3alaakW05KL-UHst83/s1600/IMG_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGRbcBiuBjINqmtXaHLvAIS6508HHRF3EMun9-4DiwnfyCGeYkQuIyuZyLV_K_nWgBnRcYWwxy0Fr7yGbEribpf8nBlYRmZm4Npf9VtmTMaLxmfFoYWq5K1P9Ud3alaakW05KL-UHst83/s320/IMG_0004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High School - Photo by Robert Schimmel, double exposure.</td></tr>
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I spent most of my spare time in High School in the Art room. Actually, spent some Chemistry, Geometry and Physics time in there, too. I was often fetched by a fellow student and dragged to class. My Math teacher, Babe Steen would just stand the hallway and yell - SCHIMMEL!!!! I only went to science classes [reluctantly] because Mr. Green was so cute. I would rather be in the art room than anywhere. But let us go back further...<br />
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When I was a very little girl, I was painfully shy. I started playing piano when I was 4. By ear. I have perfect pitch, and after my older brother's piano teacher left, I would walk over to the piano and play his lessons. My Mom was in the kitchen and thought Bob was practicing. When she realized it was me, she signed me up for lessons and immediately started thinking "child prodigy" and Julliard and the Ed Sullivan Show. Terror!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_8VtqCDOkgmUxvXPO190B9pEtvpoFVOkUStjbqXc0ygrc1WBtpviicrK2jXGLkBLtJV_qIzmXZCVjEhL46p0ATlcsZEwqYrhbPs2lhofES-E6BAYzmCJtR1O4SUqYqgZDXI4Z9D4Krcr/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_8VtqCDOkgmUxvXPO190B9pEtvpoFVOkUStjbqXc0ygrc1WBtpviicrK2jXGLkBLtJV_qIzmXZCVjEhL46p0ATlcsZEwqYrhbPs2lhofES-E6BAYzmCJtR1O4SUqYqgZDXI4Z9D4Krcr/s200/IMG_0003.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shy little girl in Reading, PA</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
I also started drawing when I was little. <br />
I would stay in my room and draw. For hours. I always drew people. Or clothes [on people] or shoes [on people]. I can draw. I learned on my own. Did not get much help later on except a few classes I took on my own. What an easy kid for my parents to raise. Piano lessons, practice [ick] and quiet hours alone drawing or reading.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnczv7gbBtUfvz7TTonvf6A1o_odM90cSlWfDAiwSeY9z7u0rn4BO3RRCotYbyImwJw0tEWRHlt8sEPc45yIUuclD2fcxCK4-yr8E1w35LJ09cY8aLTOq9IJSbbL_srttM2RXiqojBtZ-/s1600/Sitting-Bull-Paperback-P9780448409375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnczv7gbBtUfvz7TTonvf6A1o_odM90cSlWfDAiwSeY9z7u0rn4BO3RRCotYbyImwJw0tEWRHlt8sEPc45yIUuclD2fcxCK4-yr8E1w35LJ09cY8aLTOq9IJSbbL_srttM2RXiqojBtZ-/s200/Sitting-Bull-Paperback-P9780448409375.JPG" width="133" /></a> My favorite books were [and still are] about people. I read every biography book in my school. Mostly about Native Americans. <br />
I still read biographies. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKuWF-a8AKzXQg69JrJMjA6fXmZ6eeBmtbiMCiel5oK_gT_pq9EZ5yc6-sQpMX5DCdnmIBA5q7qqflJ5iWP4WDeVWualPE1iDDjnSOHnM7rvQdBhLkBzi7Tq2CLp2_mTaYTOGOAE4UTHh/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKuWF-a8AKzXQg69JrJMjA6fXmZ6eeBmtbiMCiel5oK_gT_pq9EZ5yc6-sQpMX5DCdnmIBA5q7qqflJ5iWP4WDeVWualPE1iDDjnSOHnM7rvQdBhLkBzi7Tq2CLp2_mTaYTOGOAE4UTHh/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcNq-jPqJ-ZJp5PVNnyO7JHjdbVj9mEqO9MTLRBGf0l9y7xjgAiJK0fHZ7FXnaR9LyDtRqav0A0vn6v23CfhVEDRvBdt_TM45gSosoPvx6lB4IzTzRRJDxWKL952eH9QE4f8xboJVxw6w/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcNq-jPqJ-ZJp5PVNnyO7JHjdbVj9mEqO9MTLRBGf0l9y7xjgAiJK0fHZ7FXnaR9LyDtRqav0A0vn6v23CfhVEDRvBdt_TM45gSosoPvx6lB4IzTzRRJDxWKL952eH9QE4f8xboJVxw6w/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a>Left to my own devices [literally], I'll watch documentaries about PEOPLE.We went to the JCC in Reading, PA and I took lots of art classes.
Ceramics was my favorite. I still have EVERYTHING I ever made, even if
it's cracked or broken. <br />
<br />
In 6th grade, I made a puppet. I put him a plaid kilt, and a Tam O'Shanter... I remember arguing with my teacher who insisted I had to decide whether he was Irish or Scots. What a bitch...how would I know the difference at 11? Now, on reflection...I'm thinking Scottish, I could swear it's the Black Watch tartan. I still have that puppet, too...molting away somewhere in a box. And now I know the difference. <br />
<br />
In junior high, I really started thinking more about art and got great grades in drawing, and got an award for a portrait I did of my typing teacher [yeah... I'm THAT old]. Mr. Hobart really forced us to think outside the box... slapping metal rulers on the table and shouting "WAKE UP PEOPLE, it's the Pepsi Generation!" <br />
<br />
I was not the "best" artist in school, that was <a href="http://nakintisch.wix.com/nakda" target="_blank">Nancy Kintisch</a>. And there were others. We were not in competition. The cameraderie in art rooms in high school was positive. But, encouragement on the home front was non-existent.<br />
<br />
In the years between high-school and today... I bounced around colleges [4] and was an on-again off-again art major. I have to say, I learned very little in art class. One teacher I had for live drawing absolutely HATED me and ignored me all semester. At another college, one professor said "You know what you're doing, I can't teach you anything, just come back at the end of the semester with 12 paintings and I'll give you an A."<br />
I was in a hard-edge acrylic non-representational phase for a while. But mostly, PEOPLE...always people. My degree is actually in Psychology [that's a long story about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidetic_Imagery" target="_blank">Eidetic Imagery</a> experiments - on ME] ...but I did finish classes to get a BFA later.<br />
Maybe I wasn't paying attention, or maybe it wasn't covered, but I never really learned how to BE an artist, how to make a <i>living</i> as a fine artist, how to get into galleries, or musuems, and I still don't know what a fellowship or residency is.<br />
I'm not a joiner, and I need to learn things quickly. If I can't pick it up, I don't get it.<br />
Well.. I got kicked out of graduate school since I could not pick a concentration. But, it was fun taking Textile design, and Surface design, and Metal work and Jewelry and Fiber Arts... even though I knew painting people was my thing.<br />
And maybe fashion design...or shoe design...see, I'm still doing it!<br />
<br />
So naturally, I went into retail. What a joke. But then came Display. Although I designed all sorts of things - from handbags to T-shirts to jewelry, my career in Display, Window Trimmer, Visual Merchandiser kept me alive. And fed the creative side of me. And painting on the side. Always painting.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to the naughts. Frustrated in a corporate career, divorced, single parent... I decide to go get back into Art. After playing around with mosaics, I am finally SURE of what I want to do, a style, a technique I developed. Turning junk mail into tiles, and creating mosaics with them. Mosaics of PEOPLE. New husband, my angel, said quit your job and be an artist.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWVZC0hzw21OnLpD_32dXmxlY6MqhneI0LhpbgcrGYDItJEpev_okbxLdCd5U2dg6f8ZnFfUIESd2lc65ew3kuZZd2c1lSrUxbgGuaR55hXIryc8VIFspWdq6Q0dsHoLrHWo_ieP6qzF1/s1600/madonna_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWVZC0hzw21OnLpD_32dXmxlY6MqhneI0LhpbgcrGYDItJEpev_okbxLdCd5U2dg6f8ZnFfUIESd2lc65ew3kuZZd2c1lSrUxbgGuaR55hXIryc8VIFspWdq6Q0dsHoLrHWo_ieP6qzF1/s200/madonna_001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first Mosaic experiment...a self-portrait</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, with an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE" target="_blank">anthem to rock</a>, we built a studio and never looked back.<br />
<br />
Okay - it's gonna be people. What people? I scour through magazines and pull out photos. I paste them on my studio walls. I draw from them, I simplify, but... I am using photos from magazines for my subjects. Look, I never lied about it - it's just he way I worked. My whole vision was to USE those very objects - women's faces - and create something new.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6naZGLONx76B50ajVcA8IdJhXq2NeSXbR73Y_oOwijT1rT3xHQvUIBIW09644-6cNjTO4ZiFAD6L2fECJxIH3BVK-MB7xER7FRhzzOrt-yov76Q1T8Vm56ZNxBwm9L5ru-oH72KCbmoQT/s1600/lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6naZGLONx76B50ajVcA8IdJhXq2NeSXbR73Y_oOwijT1rT3xHQvUIBIW09644-6cNjTO4ZiFAD6L2fECJxIH3BVK-MB7xER7FRhzzOrt-yov76Q1T8Vm56ZNxBwm9L5ru-oH72KCbmoQT/s200/lady.jpg" width="138" /></a>My latest work is my last appropriation. The photo on the left is from W magazine, and is by Patrick Demarchelier. I loved this girl's face and the composition. So, I drew from it. I made enough changes that I believe it is "transformative," and the new piece has new elements I added...having started out thinking Tudor age then switched to a Renaissance feel. There she is on the right - in my messy studio. Either way, I am guilty of appropriation and that's that. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5tR_NZ1WC7EN0upzGCXmVvCtZhXZ70t_XcG8ZaJb8rPm9m_RoMtv4hNn4biXG4DcL4n5UetewpxOMLbtytgHOHn8kQq5OKBePQi9Sn-t9pe21qG-tHY3l6Xdr0iiNDrXV1y3KsguGdOh/s1600/DSCN0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ5tR_NZ1WC7EN0upzGCXmVvCtZhXZ70t_XcG8ZaJb8rPm9m_RoMtv4hNn4biXG4DcL4n5UetewpxOMLbtytgHOHn8kQq5OKBePQi9Sn-t9pe21qG-tHY3l6Xdr0iiNDrXV1y3KsguGdOh/s200/DSCN0125.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
But now, I've decided to stop doing that. I have a lot of commission work going on through the next several months, but starting in the spring, I vow to create my own images and work from those.<br />
<br />
In the spirit of letting go, I'm holding a <a href="http://schimmelart.com/col_sale.htm" target="_blank">clearance sale</a> now through Christmas to clear out the studio and my head.<br />
<br />
Looking forward to a new year and new direction. Cheers!<br />
<br />
Sandhi <br />
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com1Colonial Heights, VA 23834, USA37.2913946 -77.38986019999998737.190330599999996 -77.551221699999985 37.3924586 -77.228498699999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-55271746510596628822013-09-23T08:55:00.000-07:002013-09-23T08:56:58.516-07:00But does it match the couch? <span style="font-size: small;">At an art festival this weekend, I was approached by a really interesting character who got my grey cells bouncing around my noggin'. He called himself Seemore. [Have <i>you</i> met him?} His name is </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMhO2Pg1mPpMn1PvWx2O41c-zDaG-DUIt2I90CDo3L4w0M_qVm86BfmrrcCe5PURBBKSwpIuKi-YLdCeFvJMso4kKSdh4JPzwPybjx8nSeAG27U_gsYh8PSc-OOdvCj96PpIx7zB72hI2/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMhO2Pg1mPpMn1PvWx2O41c-zDaG-DUIt2I90CDo3L4w0M_qVm86BfmrrcCe5PURBBKSwpIuKi-YLdCeFvJMso4kKSdh4JPzwPybjx8nSeAG27U_gsYh8PSc-OOdvCj96PpIx7zB72hI2/s200/index.jpg" width="164" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">SEEMORE</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Charles Simmons and he is a BIG booster for his home town. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuJgh2wbYMCeB9NgMW5LZ6eVI9h2NnReICWV6KWTXcPhZ8U7GoQtRuP1r-Y0TmIRQbay-kXMh9qjrC2Ud3_eavVavho22pgLZgGfoxtBlMd4jcZgFIhJUOV8yzWxsTd0FYJj9kZhwmL_a/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuJgh2wbYMCeB9NgMW5LZ6eVI9h2NnReICWV6KWTXcPhZ8U7GoQtRuP1r-Y0TmIRQbay-kXMh9qjrC2Ud3_eavVavho22pgLZgGfoxtBlMd4jcZgFIhJUOV8yzWxsTd0FYJj9kZhwmL_a/s1600/index.jpg" /></a>Occasional art festivals are one way I get to meet the public, take my <i>show on the road</i>... and hopefully make some sales of my work. Say what you will about art... I consider it my <u>profession</u>, and have no qualms about finding various ways to make a living. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It's a mixed bag.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Anyway,<a href="http://cootee.blogs.com/insidefurniture/2006/02/mayor_of_main_s.html" target="_blank"> Seemore</a> stopped by and told me he was looking for </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>the next Martha Stewart</b></span></span></span>. He thought it might be me! [Or maybe he says that to all the girls... or every artist he meets...] </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, I consider myself pretty clever, creative, can do all sorts of things... I can draw, and paint and grout tile with the best of them. I can design clothes, I can make a sample handbag from my own designs, I can dress a mannequin, darn socks, dye easter eggs, create sets for theatre, fashion floral centerpieces, do window displays, am a gourmet cook, do creative writing and make all sorts of art and craft thingamabobs. I don't have any livestock, but would love a sheep in the backyard to match my designer dachshunds. So, perhaps I fit his bill for <b>the next Martha</b>? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Seemore's actual purpose in attending the show was to find people [like me?] to come to High Point, NC. To visit, to perhaps participate in trade shows or be/display/rent in a showroom? I'm not quite sure. But, to be "discovered" as the "<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #073763;"><u><b>Next BIG Thing</b></u></span></span>" seemed to be what he thought I could achieve in <a href="http://www.highpointfurniture.com/" target="_blank">High Poin</a>t. Or not. He was very honest.</span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupJFXZr2Y-1hxz_hYijLvg_fuCYiF9LMpARY0r8F_AX4xFOWVqSN0-2zxcx3dGIRD9ZjKkZQhWiXDg_dWl9EO3eGCxvxbC-t9VPqzVkeBMgLzXq0TLL-Uz6IWl8ROhiU9NkuAOcQEOniJ/s1600/dakota_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupJFXZr2Y-1hxz_hYijLvg_fuCYiF9LMpARY0r8F_AX4xFOWVqSN0-2zxcx3dGIRD9ZjKkZQhWiXDg_dWl9EO3eGCxvxbC-t9VPqzVkeBMgLzXq0TLL-Uz6IWl8ROhiU9NkuAOcQEOniJ/s200/dakota_002.jpg" width="158" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Dakota Daughter" Scottsdale, AZ</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp_N8WF7-iNdQLxZnkSsgn7tMRNVOfs6P2TWeaGDdo7yyn_jPuZ_ag7MYeHxNEmUcZlaozzIbqrku1i1-sh1ovWWENw_lw02niWy4m6BiqoB2WrJmsEOA7dIjJJx_0bu3cLyjzsNC81uM/s1600/sheherazade_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXp_N8WF7-iNdQLxZnkSsgn7tMRNVOfs6P2TWeaGDdo7yyn_jPuZ_ag7MYeHxNEmUcZlaozzIbqrku1i1-sh1ovWWENw_lw02niWy4m6BiqoB2WrJmsEOA7dIjJJx_0bu3cLyjzsNC81uM/s200/sheherazade_000.jpg" width="148" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Sheherazade" Stamford, CT</span></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLYHpsPMaFhEdex9PEKaRvVYfIGyI3mc1NIO5cvzfrq9fV6n1EWcyhLxyVKV345l_fOynwP99EE4eov3OF-ycB_hv2fCM3PI7RVZIuIWNkznw_Kelv2TX-U6JfJlrfprDCR48Tt8LLrv7/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLYHpsPMaFhEdex9PEKaRvVYfIGyI3mc1NIO5cvzfrq9fV6n1EWcyhLxyVKV345l_fOynwP99EE4eov3OF-ycB_hv2fCM3PI7RVZIuIWNkznw_Kelv2TX-U6JfJlrfprDCR48Tt8LLrv7/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A RED wall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">He said some marvelous things about my artwork. And, my sense of color. However... he also uttered the phrase...asked the questions that many artists abhor... <span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"But does it match the couch?"</b></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> Apparently, interior designers who pick furniture, fabrics,
accessories and ART for their clients in High Point <i>and every where else</i>... can make an artists' career if
their work "<b><i>matches the couch</i></b>."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4nrNLLVQYpoa-G7TNzCsPc8eWKIW23OCCCIOjDH3yFu4TsBgFPNYmD6kVsISv-jh9aw1RvbxLqoYrhtbw2InJray5gRNzzLxRdciqcT_AuA1CEzZS2b0-faNG8t8JfLAu9ZOSH-KFjAU/s1600/bluesette2_thumb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4nrNLLVQYpoa-G7TNzCsPc8eWKIW23OCCCIOjDH3yFu4TsBgFPNYmD6kVsISv-jh9aw1RvbxLqoYrhtbw2InJray5gRNzzLxRdciqcT_AuA1CEzZS2b0-faNG8t8JfLAu9ZOSH-KFjAU/s200/bluesette2_thumb3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Blue couch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Seemore suggested I create
work that will match fabrics and interiors that designers look for...
and although I could almost say color schemes and palette I pick are something I "can't help doing" - from my inspiration in the moment, my thought
process... I don't know...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Am I crazy for using COLORS??? </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nP3NfndohMVxbGBAlQiHvMSLd554b1v-lEBjzjYYsiZTJHtazJME_2Gih9tInhzkcTM1h7qMcirY1-jm9MRFCBQUdRCoLX3FyTlBslmzrjk5pRIsjSwD0ofmG3Kc1mQG8Rz-ivs57C2I/s1600/wever_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nP3NfndohMVxbGBAlQiHvMSLd554b1v-lEBjzjYYsiZTJHtazJME_2Gih9tInhzkcTM1h7qMcirY1-jm9MRFCBQUdRCoLX3FyTlBslmzrjk5pRIsjSwD0ofmG3Kc1mQG8Rz-ivs57C2I/s200/wever_000.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ever" Museum Collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqgxLgbEEABpzMRfJJL9XSkAPvsG6XQ3CC7I_lt9W7zp5FzttwioYTvB2TXvTjhINzoue9b1jGOL6qD4FwqBPhkP4XB-hkXUHEZDVl8bT8XZUqqEBpJlebK1ZagehaKbFxnpv4G_qbfFw/s1600/img_orange_and_purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqgxLgbEEABpzMRfJJL9XSkAPvsG6XQ3CC7I_lt9W7zp5FzttwioYTvB2TXvTjhINzoue9b1jGOL6qD4FwqBPhkP4XB-hkXUHEZDVl8bT8XZUqqEBpJlebK1ZagehaKbFxnpv4G_qbfFw/s200/img_orange_and_purple.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outrageous color combination!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Should I start perusing magazines
looking for the latest trends in interior design so I can be more
marketable? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Are we still in the Tuscany trend? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I haven't painted any villas or poplars recently...[ever?]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-PUPE7UQOKboDn4H9D5x7NRvum5cO2n2CSJh_PW6AZH7K0-CkBsJTgDYU0XQXN7SiYe9_itizEsJWYHEj9Y7O_S0mEIO5HcKt0hbhLiC13err1SHVzlIaqmwJRqWCrna7PW1SG2FIWOd/s1600/bluesette2_thumb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWl3qanVyl_EyJrKnHxC39y1hOGr3rD0WnTV_CTiUknladl8a5Lgeq0bJAUwfDLHPSV2Sa4x_Xcv765AcdI-t0oreujw256POLztYx4_hL5yYtZhoXuPlSxfINQsaBWkARZLYKkmtH6jJ/s1600/pattern_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWl3qanVyl_EyJrKnHxC39y1hOGr3rD0WnTV_CTiUknladl8a5Lgeq0bJAUwfDLHPSV2Sa4x_Xcv765AcdI-t0oreujw256POLztYx4_hL5yYtZhoXuPlSxfINQsaBWkARZLYKkmtH6jJ/s200/pattern_000.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Chauconne" Houston, TX</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I never really thought about it before, and all the pieces shown here have sold... so someone somewhere must like red, purple, orange, yellow, teal and lime green! I guess a small minority.<br />
<br />
I know most people are afraid of color [I had to paint my last house BEIGE so it would sell].<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk9hBpbUDplGc9l6NDARrul0JEPLl4oMSFnsVjTAWSrtJNCbZnk9IKWCOMBGbvetGI-SWtHUx38pZwBxMldiIC_5lWjidTOwJDV4YPB3PYV5l1NpzzH7XePQZJZP2b33UA6Kc2iZ6lnkL/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk9hBpbUDplGc9l6NDARrul0JEPLl4oMSFnsVjTAWSrtJNCbZnk9IKWCOMBGbvetGI-SWtHUx38pZwBxMldiIC_5lWjidTOwJDV4YPB3PYV5l1NpzzH7XePQZJZP2b33UA6Kc2iZ6lnkL/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PURPLE????</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I know most people don't like portraits. I know most people can't afford to buy original art. <i>I get it, I get it...</i><br />
<br />
If the point of making art... is not only to express yourself, but to also earn your way, pay your bills and put your kids through college - is that unreasonable? Is it time to SELL OUT and go beige or greige or sage green?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklKjrpHHYtp_cPVM4LJGVfdLt-bxaHZLVasKfsJOAdyINTgpHP0TUeZG4Yc1GNH2ZFI0ARxo04_7llDLXgA9jMk7CFrhL4FDiJpu34wdZTOtImjAzEcZSNycn6T0bi5AEgkjYlheduiHo/s1600/KAREN-EG_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklKjrpHHYtp_cPVM4LJGVfdLt-bxaHZLVasKfsJOAdyINTgpHP0TUeZG4Yc1GNH2ZFI0ARxo04_7llDLXgA9jMk7CFrhL4FDiJpu34wdZTOtImjAzEcZSNycn6T0bi5AEgkjYlheduiHo/s200/KAREN-EG_000.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Karen E Project" Redondo Beach, CA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNdxh0E7jpFRGpi0d3AeujTmCHd4dwXJ-YJBwVKMVHumsSoqxZSYWotDyIjDIm49PjKZi4RyYbj-mbWUGIcWz448yrihynVlFR61yJevdlFD0BclWhoma1SZ4twxQ-P5LUTabEDuXqxhs/s1600/DSC01116_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNdxh0E7jpFRGpi0d3AeujTmCHd4dwXJ-YJBwVKMVHumsSoqxZSYWotDyIjDIm49PjKZi4RyYbj-mbWUGIcWz448yrihynVlFR61yJevdlFD0BclWhoma1SZ4twxQ-P5LUTabEDuXqxhs/s200/DSC01116_001.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Coco Rocha" New York, NY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEfT5IpmXfFdLKghJfKZvN_jtoSNHN3FZK7AVoCvlapRbf1bcmmBlKAIDSSp3twTmyqkB6US2ipCGBnwOO-fXCvyulb1adfuA8CKxBVa4C33ZO1WuM1Q28O42Rw_9SAuQPcjfqaoeHIxk/s1600/DSC01114_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEfT5IpmXfFdLKghJfKZvN_jtoSNHN3FZK7AVoCvlapRbf1bcmmBlKAIDSSp3twTmyqkB6US2ipCGBnwOO-fXCvyulb1adfuA8CKxBVa4C33ZO1WuM1Q28O42Rw_9SAuQPcjfqaoeHIxk/s200/DSC01114_001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Can I get a Kiss? - Mexico City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQKVUZucXPpifetbLKrhg1USNDJIOMwOzS6miZsY4C6SyrnBicPQDCFS_6MZNXksq10jTWGBqOtl3-pLiZrWlLMRcV4CvmKBqDJh6H8mZcBuEOrVhh4qWWB2k-X7FC1QHtmtnEAWGRnJq/s1600/index1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQKVUZucXPpifetbLKrhg1USNDJIOMwOzS6miZsY4C6SyrnBicPQDCFS_6MZNXksq10jTWGBqOtl3-pLiZrWlLMRcV4CvmKBqDJh6H8mZcBuEOrVhh4qWWB2k-X7FC1QHtmtnEAWGRnJq/s200/index1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What, neon colors? Unheard of.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking for myself... Is creating DECOR that matches the couch the way to go?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmKDDN9adp2wYoaCw3kHgTNT5SoI2CDDXHeejuKS7FoH8eJegFqCaJrr0p7UOhFe0Sr_sJVAcKNlbOUvUlg14z-yOHTx2aPSbyFeUKTfiEakp76AjELz-ZivMsAjfaCWynzFrYJPfcLw7/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmKDDN9adp2wYoaCw3kHgTNT5SoI2CDDXHeejuKS7FoH8eJegFqCaJrr0p7UOhFe0Sr_sJVAcKNlbOUvUlg14z-yOHTx2aPSbyFeUKTfiEakp76AjELz-ZivMsAjfaCWynzFrYJPfcLw7/s200/index.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An orange couch?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDj_ntEoVG3z8uKGi5QlHu2vYNwLECssPvUuXnx2KJ6sqbk-i2uo2RtwCXi0ocGmP1LXGeE8j2RpmJ8tGWXFdft65LL1wUmmCEfQnvyDerOkm8BLU2pNbdGqwHCcO6r5h-OQXGLY7-HYDc/s1600/Giant-Pear-Pair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDj_ntEoVG3z8uKGi5QlHu2vYNwLECssPvUuXnx2KJ6sqbk-i2uo2RtwCXi0ocGmP1LXGeE8j2RpmJ8tGWXFdft65LL1wUmmCEfQnvyDerOkm8BLU2pNbdGqwHCcO6r5h-OQXGLY7-HYDc/s200/Giant-Pear-Pair.jpg" width="150" /></a>I guess I could make a lot more money if I did dog portraits...or flowers... or aspen trees... or landscapes or ponds or... the dreaded </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="background-color: white;">giant pear paintings. </span></span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, when I walk into my studio - and just create out of my </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
imagination, faces appear on the canvas 9 times outta 10. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Colors that may or may not "go" together, or match a couch [Okay, I am being a smart ass here and I know it] get tossed together willy-nilly. </div>
<br />
I know there is no real answer here, and I am sure if anyone bothers to comment... the opinions will be wildly different.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiztHzv2Dtljp72f70MY91YNHDJm2x6PJoOzEqWwomA_0z07L78CorkNgZeABPzlkuOhi1rGLv-lWnSiY-wSMH8lV7DorYvy9cFnB3MJM0o_GDFkeFIO_THa6JffRes3Cq3XZ7lKoTmDKs/s1600/robin_000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiztHzv2Dtljp72f70MY91YNHDJm2x6PJoOzEqWwomA_0z07L78CorkNgZeABPzlkuOhi1rGLv-lWnSiY-wSMH8lV7DorYvy9cFnB3MJM0o_GDFkeFIO_THa6JffRes3Cq3XZ7lKoTmDKs/s200/robin_000.jpg" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Robin's Blue Bedroom Eyes - San Diego</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60IOs-qlfogy5K-dHekPKR8EJ8xMekzbJRLUDjryrgA7LYgNXAsA5_FVC9HFYok5f284Sl81HwtTiHjwSBkB0gAxr3cmNd4HtS5lyd_K0nWlPd7slFtU1NgvH1SkdtHZxC7Q8VvVfqsKI/s1600/teal-upholstery-and-brown-drapery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60IOs-qlfogy5K-dHekPKR8EJ8xMekzbJRLUDjryrgA7LYgNXAsA5_FVC9HFYok5f284Sl81HwtTiHjwSBkB0gAxr3cmNd4HtS5lyd_K0nWlPd7slFtU1NgvH1SkdtHZxC7Q8VvVfqsKI/s200/teal-upholstery-and-brown-drapery.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teal and Brown...that's more like it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I am really glad I met Seemore, and might go visit him in High Point, or take a gander at design magazines... after all, being <b>the next Martha Stewart</b> would alright with me. I am sure I can stay out of prison or if I did end up in jail, I'd take up<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58WvNy2TVDg9VYgBoaT2k-b8F2bZxfHSOSB8ESnOYJ0sBRKEA_00b5KZuTL1jB-Pv2E21gH9hyphenhyphenYXaYzjwC03ckGFomDDTbipE4PRHH93odychXnW3JDFOtIi6XL_Ec1LsvDn6luaR2aYr/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58WvNy2TVDg9VYgBoaT2k-b8F2bZxfHSOSB8ESnOYJ0sBRKEA_00b5KZuTL1jB-Pv2E21gH9hyphenhyphenYXaYzjwC03ckGFomDDTbipE4PRHH93odychXnW3JDFOtIi6XL_Ec1LsvDn6luaR2aYr/s200/images.jpg" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha upon her release...with her knitted poncho</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
knitting ponchos, too.<br />
<br />
Or better yet... <u><b> </b></u><br />
<u><b>the next Walt Disney</b></u> <br />
[after all, Walt & I share the same Myers Briggs <a href="http://psychology.about.com/od/trait-theories-personality/a/entp.htm" target="_blank">ENTP</a> personality type]<br />
<br />
Like Seemore said... <span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"You never
know when Mickey Mouse is going to become </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Disneyworld."</span></b></span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, what do <b>you</b> think?</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
By the way, if you want to be on my email newsletter list... </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
go to <a href="http://schimmelart.com/events.htm" target="_blank">THIS</a> page and sign up.</div>
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-63138588888803814952013-09-20T08:18:00.002-07:002013-09-20T08:20:20.080-07:00The custom portrait process...and "inside the studio" insights.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPNIT8qrJTj1RQ6fcXWv6D43WyPdODsjG5tta_thnfWEu73tyUfMKS5fDD0wK942NLS56jVm0l39qjiYfZnispvTrH04I9Z9dl3b1nyOpX15IzvQ-lB0LhrQ9nSJfl-KSVRj4Ix23_IHr/s1600/DSC_0070+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPNIT8qrJTj1RQ6fcXWv6D43WyPdODsjG5tta_thnfWEu73tyUfMKS5fDD0wK942NLS56jVm0l39qjiYfZnispvTrH04I9Z9dl3b1nyOpX15IzvQ-lB0LhrQ9nSJfl-KSVRj4Ix23_IHr/s200/DSC_0070+-+Version+2.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR56O6oj3umDFtZozXMMMaGhdGj7cRxt_4wpslQN0QYkECgnlJq6E9Gc03lwFt0S8oe6L7_8d0lHY6QRbX5HQ9K7uGihkqkFfY7ze5t49M_GR3UQ5KdDoSm-cyKILMnqaR9s5IvtagD7xh/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR56O6oj3umDFtZozXMMMaGhdGj7cRxt_4wpslQN0QYkECgnlJq6E9Gc03lwFt0S8oe6L7_8d0lHY6QRbX5HQ9K7uGihkqkFfY7ze5t49M_GR3UQ5KdDoSm-cyKILMnqaR9s5IvtagD7xh/s200/DSC_0052.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3FFoX0d2ZjbkxJ795sWAJb4rsV121ETmizQ3_iVNovkv54OGT0uU8WfkAlVbQ8R3kXWzxAdi8_scQRtik0FTmI-e459QkMEhsIL9GxaYezW9sC7Ou53xeJLf8gYlB1FG3aDN0xB8eQNv/s1600/DSC_0105+-+Version+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix3FFoX0d2ZjbkxJ795sWAJb4rsV121ETmizQ3_iVNovkv54OGT0uU8WfkAlVbQ8R3kXWzxAdi8_scQRtik0FTmI-e459QkMEhsIL9GxaYezW9sC7Ou53xeJLf8gYlB1FG3aDN0xB8eQNv/s200/DSC_0105+-+Version+2.JPG" width="200" /></a>It's his birthday, he's in his 70's. He is getting married. </div>
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He started coloring his hair a little... </div>
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His family wants to give him something special.</div>
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A Portrait. From me!</div>
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I get these photos through email, and put together a quick sketch to capture
the best of both of them. I picked the photo of "her" from above [her eyes were the biggest] "him" from the top photo, and his hair color from the one on the right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CahSfVj7mE7xLWI72CzqSElOTKSX8cR2RayKAS8p7rwCEwuP2eZdOffYwMYMSRA0DHZQp6Xz1LK3AQ1tGhkSGsCdr545KtrTN6rJjGOG2c1pX6jgsxuOQHJanfNzrtgFTCCnLsWi553I/s1600/reena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CahSfVj7mE7xLWI72CzqSElOTKSX8cR2RayKAS8p7rwCEwuP2eZdOffYwMYMSRA0DHZQp6Xz1LK3AQ1tGhkSGsCdr545KtrTN6rJjGOG2c1pX6jgsxuOQHJanfNzrtgFTCCnLsWi553I/s1600/reena.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick Sketch in Paint on Canvas</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After drawing and painting, I begin the process of cutting up hundreds and hundreds of pieces of paper. What started out as a simple mosaic process has become an incredibly detailed method...I've been doing this for so long, it's just second nature and difficult to explain!</div>
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<br /></div>
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There is a set of old bedroom furniture in the studio [it was mine when I was a kid] - all junk mail, old calendars, postcards, menus, fly cards, card stock, greeting cards and other ephemera go into those drawers. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before I start a new project, I spend a few hours going through that stuff - cutting it and sorting into colors...those piles go into other drawers.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Back to the easel, I sort the colors I've chosen to use by shade and lay them out on a large table. I work one color at a time, cutting and pasting [glueing] each piece one at a time, cutting again and again to fit. Sometimes, they're nothing but a sliver... I might need tweezers to hold the tiny piece, I might need an exacto to trim... The process takes hundreds of hours... during this time, I am looking at the subject's photos...constantly going back and forth, tweeking whatever I need to "get it right."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank goodness for NPR and Pandora and PBS online... I can listen to stories, music, comedy and might learn something while I am working or discover a new artist whose music grabs my attention.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes one of the dogs wanders into the studio. Usually Farfel, who wants me to hold her, but that ain't happening. But she will sit on my hot pink chair and whine... I wish I had a baby bjorn for dachshunds.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the morning hours, after I have my tea, I often work in whatever I was sleeping in the night before. T-shirt, Yoga pants...Hopefully, no one will come to the door. I work odd hours, all day, with breaks to check my email and see what my friends are doing on Facebook... or talk to friends or family... always wandering back in and picking up where I left off. I am back in the studio at night - often WAY into the wee hours. When I am in the mood...the "zone" I don't know where the time goes. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The studio is carpeted and I am always trailing it around - embellishing the house with slivers of paper that have stuck to my toes or my socks... and at some point, vacuuming is necessary. Byproduct of my work. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After all the paper is applied, I go back and repaint the eyes, teeth, whatever makes sense. Whatever colors you see - that's the color of the paper. After 24 hours, I apply a sealer and UV coating. Edges of the canvas are painted...usually black.</div>
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Here's a small pic of the happy couple [a little glare on the right side] before it got shipped away to enhance another home.</div>
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By the way, I don't make my art for me... I make it for YOU!</div>
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Thanks for reading!</div>
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-32211538797266687412013-09-20T07:51:00.000-07:002013-09-20T07:51:49.171-07:00What's in a Face?Wolf whistles...Scorn...Desire...Adoration...a Mother's Love...Rejection...Swoons.<br />
It starts with the face. <br />
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Babies are born looking like their fathers... so they'll know the child is theirs and won't run off. Well, at least that's what I've heard, and it is certainly true of me and of my own daughter.<br />
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What is attractive? Repulsive? Beautiful? Sexy? Attraction is physical, "chemical," intuitive. We respond to what we like. So, most of us are stuck with what we're born with, other "enhance" with products and poisons and knives...to reach an ideal...and that target is always moving.<br />
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One man's meat is another man's poison<br />
One man's meat is another man's person<br />
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My Mother told me...never trust someone with thin lips, or close-set eyes.<br />
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So, What's in a Face?<br />
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After all...aren't most of our face comprised of two eyes, two lips, one nose? Are not our faces merely skin stretched [or sagging] over muscle and bone? What's the big deal?<br />
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And yet... so much is made of our visual appearance. If you've read my blog, seen my art or know me, you know I have been exploring how our "looks" relate to our own self-image, and the messages we hear and tell ourselves. This collage was originally completed several years ago, soon after I dealt with a slight change to my own face [no one sees it, but it is glaring to me] which altered my impression of myself and others. <br />
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Included in this composition are photos, textures, verbiage, people I know, and many others I don't.<br />
Here are some details. I'm in there somewhere...and I don't look like Kate Moss. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJIGvm_IdQ-enLVGNlTDYttB1iWha3vpJxDEuROPuZ-N0b_UiRWVh3-GHjwD9tTSylX9LdB3WSDljtDt-LJ8NQ_7p4A6aodrSjAMAYv64h54tZZjTvIsp_BcP54h79WXYSjWymHNRTRZx/s1600/what2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJIGvm_IdQ-enLVGNlTDYttB1iWha3vpJxDEuROPuZ-N0b_UiRWVh3-GHjwD9tTSylX9LdB3WSDljtDt-LJ8NQ_7p4A6aodrSjAMAYv64h54tZZjTvIsp_BcP54h79WXYSjWymHNRTRZx/s320/what2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtptc_rU5bXbwuyE9bgvTXbLC2LlmByl2Lzjg-G-G6UW3DeSJEV1_lBiQdsGEHfGKymrXLdEwhNOPECE4Du9RQ34lMvnxqUKJkP5v2na6Z4Os_jzhjpmpXs8fJTDeHSfHbeJcMETXikyA/s1600/what1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtptc_rU5bXbwuyE9bgvTXbLC2LlmByl2Lzjg-G-G6UW3DeSJEV1_lBiQdsGEHfGKymrXLdEwhNOPECE4Du9RQ34lMvnxqUKJkP5v2na6Z4Os_jzhjpmpXs8fJTDeHSfHbeJcMETXikyA/s320/what1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-37356162544391885762013-09-18T12:50:00.000-07:002013-09-18T12:50:14.788-07:00"LUNA" a Pareidolic Portrait [what's Pareidolia?]<br />
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This is "Luna," a new mixed media portrait.</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUJeqUFdrAKCkorPKTOTL2LeieOuLNbjqw2TuBgYUTlTMMhZnfWc2KhBu2z6ABQUhYx_ibYFb2Ke8maNBuAZQ8Eo2QO4ZjttC307F9KHcczNfMahiujKjY35FtqOVRF2v_XfQuuKu9ip/s1600/luna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuUJeqUFdrAKCkorPKTOTL2LeieOuLNbjqw2TuBgYUTlTMMhZnfWc2KhBu2z6ABQUhYx_ibYFb2Ke8maNBuAZQ8Eo2QO4ZjttC307F9KHcczNfMahiujKjY35FtqOVRF2v_XfQuuKu9ip/s320/luna.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Materials are: Junk Mail, Acrylic Paint, Glitter, Textured Glazes. </h3>
Pareidolia is the experience of “seeing” something in a stimulus or an object that’s simply vague and random. An example is the Shroud of Turin. Remember when you were a child lying on your back in the grass, watching the clouds go by and you saw a bunny or a castle in the sky, or the man [or woman] in the moon? Or the Madonna on a piece of toast, or a cluster of cactus? Maybe you've even heard messages when records are
played in reverse [number nine? number nine?].<br />
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Carl Sagan believed that the ability to recognize faces from a distance or in poor
visibility was an important survival technique. While this instinct
enables humans to instantly judge whether an oncoming person is a friend
or foe, Sagan noted that it could result in some misinterpretation of
random images or patterns of light and shade as being faces.
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Leonardo da Vinci wrote about pareidolia as an artistic device. "If you
look at any walls spotted with various stains or with a mixture of
different kinds of stones, if you are about to invent some scene you
will be able to see in it a resemblance to various different landscapes
adorned with mountains, rivers, rocks, trees, plains, wide valleys, and
various groups of hills." <br />
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So often, people compare my work to those photo mosaics they've seen at Disneyland or in magazines... an image made up of thousands of photographs created in a computer. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiN0GzdKWQwgWXRsurzvvUMNAhyt0t0u2bQXZjLUhS3gOHgKnClvWqkz5qWuZvviNCsC7Hd-blVONo40zhwunH1tokdyXa5olvyPYKkzFIJVp6KgFqPqpgw2QRl5Schrar9zDlVUH0-k9/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiN0GzdKWQwgWXRsurzvvUMNAhyt0t0u2bQXZjLUhS3gOHgKnClvWqkz5qWuZvviNCsC7Hd-blVONo40zhwunH1tokdyXa5olvyPYKkzFIJVp6KgFqPqpgw2QRl5Schrar9zDlVUH0-k9/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Mosaic at Disney</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQCuAPNflaQCqTntRzAJG-3AMtyLE0uA3TMjsbvgf5YWQZFVGScBRMKYk3Weg_QMQyW-MACtLYeLXl9gkr5vpbXCktx5_-CnxqKUBRgmqalo_yOYrp2URnTU_HlPTDFixOVl0NgbxyaHkN/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>In fact, many people believe I use some sort of computer program to create my work. I'd like to say that no... I actually DRAW...PAINT...CUT...GLUE... using nothing more hi-tech than pencil, brush, scissors and sometimes and exacto knife.<br />
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So, I decided to tackle one of the most common Pareidolic images, the man in the moon... but I love women's faces better... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0xXxvqt4oVUNvWpYmjBRn1N-2zk9IJkh9V17O7_AoIRkW-fg0H2X5jfmWGyffMHCUmnSP-8H93k0Jq-pWTqapFI7OnjRoIa69_aJIwZ9Ej6rPicOgQKe14iUBlrwdDptMZfuGpeBu9Uc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0xXxvqt4oVUNvWpYmjBRn1N-2zk9IJkh9V17O7_AoIRkW-fg0H2X5jfmWGyffMHCUmnSP-8H93k0Jq-pWTqapFI7OnjRoIa69_aJIwZ9Ej6rPicOgQKe14iUBlrwdDptMZfuGpeBu9Uc/s200/images.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's only a Paper Moon</td></tr>
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I began by creating a monochromatic background and crescent moon in large squares - if you look closely, you'll see movie tickets [<i>Knight & Day</i> how apropo], greeting cards, advertisements, invitations, fly cards, postcards and photographs. Yes, I have a room full of paper. I save everything. I recycle everything. It took HOURS to cut and sort by tone all of those pieces! I reversed the progression on the moon. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndxAZfJxfy8" target="_blank">It's only a Paper Moon!</a><br />
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Then the painting of Luna took shape... I kept to a somewhat monochromatic color scheme, only adding a bit of pink paper to the lips and greige shades for the hair. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Pbdl5OJTGjBpr3TEaqzdAezUZfLlG_ngk-DYNoHO74YaIk5_nL7gy21JR6eOInB7nwsIZ05yf7bElZ-yJuhDaZnV0DAUd_EXLUOsBn9pDJlZ6bbd-GaKYDa1oetjTj9FWAepcyC0oGP/s1600/IMG_20130916_002858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0Pbdl5OJTGjBpr3TEaqzdAezUZfLlG_ngk-DYNoHO74YaIk5_nL7gy21JR6eOInB7nwsIZ05yf7bElZ-yJuhDaZnV0DAUd_EXLUOsBn9pDJlZ6bbd-GaKYDa1oetjTj9FWAepcyC0oGP/s1600/IMG_20130916_002858.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luna before the asteroids...</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61tr-87faNYW05w4ExOrZMI7Mckz4qjwwU6D6-7tK5bgmm_1JHw12r9utLeVXg9OffriKaImBNrndEknTSZdWOqiDt_Z7eU3pkr5kc21SF3jG_xqbj1MF6bSfcfNHZkB1vfPCBZO6vNH0/s1600/luna1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61tr-87faNYW05w4ExOrZMI7Mckz4qjwwU6D6-7tK5bgmm_1JHw12r9utLeVXg9OffriKaImBNrndEknTSZdWOqiDt_Z7eU3pkr5kc21SF3jG_xqbj1MF6bSfcfNHZkB1vfPCBZO6vNH0/s320/luna1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Crater!</td></tr>
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I was pretty happy when I got there, but never leaving well enough alone, I grabbed palette knives, brushes, glitter, gravel, textured gels and my own fingers to create peaks, valleys, craters and rocky textures.<br />
This changed the perfectly flat "collage" into a textured moonscape. Now my woman in the moon looked like she was ON the moon!<br />
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This portrait, one of many in my collection of paper mosaic portraits is 30x40" on 1" museum wrapped canvas. Edges are painted black. Wired, ready to hang!<br />
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See more here: <a href="http://www.schimmelart.com/" target="_blank">Schimmel Art Web Site</a><!--------->Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-23284209248308885852013-06-04T10:25:00.000-07:002013-06-04T10:25:31.668-07:00Warsaw Waiter... huh?Women's faces. Yeah, that's my usual... [<a href="http://arago4.tnw.utwente.nl/stonedead/movies/holy-grail/scene-15.html" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">"idiom, sir?"</span></i></a>] genre. What's with the guy with the curly hair?<br />
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A moment to back up. I read a lot. Books, Magazines. I get way too many...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7u2mox_c2gbW1FZfMEkNn_2DYlS8uhs-3SpNrnxxkB3wh94gXoHtUMljCwHIvzvpmRjSC7tKnuYSfAUZiVMnjrMghM938ELv7JJTWHYQYddboDRxWPQmjhBSEfIe8feFj4sJqEhViMVX/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7u2mox_c2gbW1FZfMEkNn_2DYlS8uhs-3SpNrnxxkB3wh94gXoHtUMljCwHIvzvpmRjSC7tKnuYSfAUZiVMnjrMghM938ELv7JJTWHYQYddboDRxWPQmjhBSEfIe8feFj4sJqEhViMVX/s200/images-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
and today, as soon as I stop typing... I am going to go have an "education" day and pick a bunch of the magazines up, go through them once and for all, glean everything I want from them. And then recycle them. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr1os2rrxwzxr7FpMQaLlqML5A4PhuMBdr1g8NJ4UQeiARHSff15oNr8Zf0PHXEm9sMmSKe5mHJH5Na_2xjjStdAHAxlKe27hnKeATh7dtbjvyqFIeW87DjCjA6jasnwcqxSSr_mYliro/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr1os2rrxwzxr7FpMQaLlqML5A4PhuMBdr1g8NJ4UQeiARHSff15oNr8Zf0PHXEm9sMmSKe5mHJH5Na_2xjjStdAHAxlKe27hnKeATh7dtbjvyqFIeW87DjCjA6jasnwcqxSSr_mYliro/s200/images-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Yeah, I even recycle magazines.<br />
Not by putting them in my art, though... I magazine bomb. I would yarn bomb, or photo bomb...but I can't do <b><i>everything.</i></b><br />
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When I go to the library, or doctor, or dentist, or car wash...anywhere magazines are lying around, I innocently plop them down and leave them for someone else to enjoy. And, by the way, nothing trashy. No People, no US, no Star Magazine.<br />
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Okay, anyway... I was probably reading <a href="http://www.townandcountrymag.com/" target="_blank">Town & Country</a>... or <a href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/" target="_blank">Travel & Leisure</a>... or <a href="http://www.cntraveler.com/" target="_blank">Conde Nast Traveler</a>. Came across an interesting photo of a fellow, a waiter at a restaurant in some eastern European country. It was NOT Poland, I remember... Maybe it was a "stan" country -Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or maybe a Baltic state... or Ukraine. Anyway... this dude looked pretty cool. His attire, his hair, his NOSE harkened back to an earlier time. I created his portrait out of junk mail, as usual... but he looked too modern.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCqrVBTTZU7fBKyqZYG5n_Oj04Hnf48Rzpg6BkSoLNdVbEN9xaw75UkEYl55DNKE-oFHHzYu2zZqmwO34tCFzYtGmL5as0PKNaMeIPPOIRxQOzO3bfZ_1WdDpIXMcJgHY8-bxQeThbocc/s1600/images-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCqrVBTTZU7fBKyqZYG5n_Oj04Hnf48Rzpg6BkSoLNdVbEN9xaw75UkEYl55DNKE-oFHHzYu2zZqmwO34tCFzYtGmL5as0PKNaMeIPPOIRxQOzO3bfZ_1WdDpIXMcJgHY8-bxQeThbocc/s200/images-1.jpg" width="176" /></a></div>
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I found some crackle glaze... actually created for ceramics. I thought I could create an "Antique" look by creating tiny cracks [this stuff by Modern Masters is great, by the way]. I used to love making ceramics when I was a kid, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoI_L1ABUM6h2NfN0eBQfSq1PPP2pdyhtGqT1jHF3qUQuK7wRsROzgRGfjTAap1BVRhdnS0MUaV8hCYiixXmhf_dlHP2HKRFddLsRucZVf67MGepK1E7fUesClu43KVeEQITL7WmBrN3t/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoI_L1ABUM6h2NfN0eBQfSq1PPP2pdyhtGqT1jHF3qUQuK7wRsROzgRGfjTAap1BVRhdnS0MUaV8hCYiixXmhf_dlHP2HKRFddLsRucZVf67MGepK1E7fUesClu43KVeEQITL7WmBrN3t/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
and remembered how to use it to my advantage.<br />
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I used the glazes [there are a few steps] and rubbed dark brown ink into the cracks... let it settle and then rubbed it off. It worked, and I got the effect I wanted.<br />
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My husband makes fun of me and my crazy ideas. But a lifetime of art experimentation, etc. Years of being a display artist, prop designer, pattern maker, sample maker, and all around use-your-noodle, you're clever after all... has me creating and taking risks. I love this guy, he belongs on the wall of someone's library, or in a home filled with antiques [unlike most of my other art...] and yeah, he is definitely NOT from Poland, but I'm a big fan of alliteration. So sue me, title Police.<br />
Here's my Warwaw Waiter - 16x20" mosaic portrait - he's in a wooden frame but it's not shown here:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x3svKxRI8FsowM1cL3I16npoZMMGYxw8CWeFnDRCYmUg6hwef8a1sh6pZVjuP60uLth-yYpvFdaroWj3tKMo-MjOoRoHef_V-IC4oEvKgWPSEUzgjBFqa3SrKLDM5jVeCs-FR8eSGbUL/s1600/warsaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x3svKxRI8FsowM1cL3I16npoZMMGYxw8CWeFnDRCYmUg6hwef8a1sh6pZVjuP60uLth-yYpvFdaroWj3tKMo-MjOoRoHef_V-IC4oEvKgWPSEUzgjBFqa3SrKLDM5jVeCs-FR8eSGbUL/s320/warsaw.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandhi Schimmel Gold's Warsaw Waiter</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-9786094290513682892013-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:002013-06-04T09:51:01.552-07:00Try a Little Tenderness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For this portrait, I wanted to capture the vulnerability of a woman in love, the sweetness and femininity. Doesn't my subject look as if she were about to speak? </div>
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Her hand, moving towards her lips...not sure what to say?</div>
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She seems thoughtful and perhaps a bit sad. </div>
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What she needs is assurance and some tender loving care. </div>
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<b>With props to Otis Redding:</b></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">Oh, she may be weary<br />
Young girls they do get weary<br />Wearing that same old shaggy dress, </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;">But when she gets weary,<br />
Try a little tenderness</span>
<span style="color: purple;"><br />
You know she's waiting<br />
Just anticipating<br />
For things that she'll never, never, never, never possess,<br />
But while she's there waiting, without them,<br />Try a little tenderness</span>
<span style="color: purple;"><br />
It's not just sentimental, no, <br />
She has her grief and care,<br />
But the soft words, they are spoken so gentle,<br />
It makes it easier, easier to bear</span>
<span style="color: purple;"><br />
You won't regret it,<br />
Some girls they don't forget it<br />
Love is their only happiness,<br />
But it's all so easy<br />
All you gotta do is try, try a little tenderness<br />
All you gotta do is, man, hold her where you want her</span><span style="color: purple;"><br />
Squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her<br />
Get to her, try, try,<br />
Just try a little tenderness<br />
You got to know how to love her, man, you'll be surprised, man,<br />
You've got to squeeze her, don't tease her, never leave her<br />
You've got to hold her and rub her softly,<br />
Try a little tenderness and watch her groove,<br />
You've gotta to know what to do, man,<br />
Take this advice...</span><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
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<b> </b><br /><b>Try a Little Tenderness</b></div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G0H6DjTEG_jnb8St1ey4vKfg3gFgGjgrYLFUUUCU2oh0V4E-g37omIlGdqolRC59jj-M3j82dENZan7uLs9u-ro7FLseHahG-uI_-fqrYVt58b0jrgJPK78F-ubdMvG2YP8WrobRDwFo/s320/try_001.jpg" width="251" /> </div>
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I used white paper with lavender and purple designs for the majority of the face, irridescent tissues for highlight, and my usual - junk mail paper source - for the rest. </div>
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I hate to pick out frames. I always pick out the wrong ones, so I found a creative framer who can come up with interesting combinations of color and texture.</div>
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<a href="http://www.framenation.net/" target="_blank">I trust my friend Mary </a></div>
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who put this unusual composition in a silver wood frame, and then in a seafoam textured frame.</div>
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It's amazing.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2U9BdISuZB4OK6-nXvVSxGBKprTFgPq8l5ZS_qp0YS0fAR2w-j9gdXR6npI9V8tae4J6Hj7G2UB88_Oq98-7-G0XaMNAPEbcnlD8tN_80GWG5CmG94fLKCa69tO5cqYuOCI6JKclIvE3/s320/427901_3306560977670_870327194_n.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Here's my "gallery on the go" at an art festival in Virginia last year. </div>
Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-34802640632483515602013-06-03T12:48:00.000-07:002013-06-03T12:51:55.338-07:00A life...what is it? Remembering the Tuna Fish LadyMy friend died this week. Suddenly. In bed. Alone.<br />
Don't know why.<br />
I am guessing heart attack.<br />
Or a reaction to medication.<br />
She lived, she was a friend, a sister, a daughter, and a loving doggie mom.<br />
<br />
You can google her, and all you'll get is a FB page, and some other social media nonsense. It's almost as if she was never here...?! I can't even find her blog About My Pet NYC. <br />
<br />
She call me SOSH I called her MOSH.<br />
Back when I was a needlepoint designer, my signature was Saschi. Her name, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mara.makler?fref=ts" target="_blank">Mara</a>, is supposedly from the Russian Masha. There you go.<br />
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She lived in the same apartment in NYC for 30 years. From when Murray Hill was a joke to Murray Hill as a hot spot. So easy to get in a cab and say 30th & Third.<br />
<br />
She was vulnerable, generous to a fault, and she lived vicariously through other people.<br />
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In these past few years, she was unhappy, desperate, angry and in horrible physical pain... if she could, I wouldn't be surprised if she'd tell us said she's relieved.<br />
<br />
My last conversations with her were frustrating and depressing. I couldn't help... <br />
<br />
She was at my Mother's funeral two years ago. She made quite an effort to support me, and it was appreciated.<br />
<br />
I spent a couple of days thinking about that...but then, started telling my husband about our history, and the funny things I remember... and the love... so here we go.<br />
<br />
Here's how I remember her - fondly.<br />
I met her in college. My brother Bob was living in NY, went to visit his girlfriend's college in Ithaca, but she kicked him out.<br />
My school was fairly close by, and Bob decided to visit me, stay for a while.<br />
I lived in an all girls dorm, and we were already overcrowded. Bob found a spare mattress and slept on the floor.<br />
I ate at the dining hall, and Bob couldn't get in. Of course, he didn't have any money, and neither did I. My roommates and I would bring him food if we could sneak it out.<br />
In the meantime, the lounge area of my dorm had a piano. Bob spent his days serenading the girls [while I was in class] and met Mara. She was the only girl in the dorm with a refrigerator of her own. She had food. Tuna.<br />
Mara had always been overweight, and tuna was somehow the magic diet food. Her struggle was a lifetime of Tab soda, grapefruits, and going to fat camp and Durham, NC for diet prison. She'd been reasonably successful at times, but mostly it was a huge issue that affected her life. Everything revolved around a meal. <br />
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I didn't know her, we didn't have classes together, but I met her through Bob. Funny, her roommate Lisa was supposed to me mine, and we became best friends. So, I started hanging around with Mara and Lisa more and more. They moved off campus, and I hung around their apartment. <br />
The next year, we took classes together - theatre classes. I moved off campus, and eventually Mara lived upstairs with Lisa and two or three other women. That year, all those long island college girls had epiphanies... opened a food co-op, took in a lot of dogs, and were gay [some on a more temporary basis], except Mara. I lived downstairs in the same building. So Mara started hanging around with us. And, due to some drop-outs and shuffles, eventually moved in with us.<br />
<br />
Mara was a carbo-holic. She'd cook and eat an entire box of pasta, or an entire bag or rice. She'd lie on her bed smoking and eating ice-cream watching her own mini TV. Her father had heart problems, her mother had cancer. One day I ran into her room with a hatchet and chopped her pack of Marlboro's in half. I asked her if she was trying to kill herself. She answered: "slowly."<br />
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But, Mara was up for anything. Costume parties, going to one of the many bars downtown. Auditioning for every play.<br />
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When it came to men, she had a penchant for black men and white trash. She had a relationship with an Ethiopian exchange student, and a blonde "townie." Neither of those went well. She hated the guy I dated and let him know. She had a crush on a school staff member. I think I knew that...but when he came over to take me out on a date...and she was PISSED. It didn't work out. Man, he was a control freak.<br />
Mara saw me through relationships and heartaches. She listened. She advised. She commiserated. She took sides. Always a friend in need. You need sympathy? You got it. We remained friends through college.<br />
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I moved back to AZ, and afterwards to California. I followed a boy there. Mara came to visit. She was there when my brother auditioned at the Improv. She wanted to go to Disneyland. But, everyone in L.A. will tell you - EVERYONE who visits wants to go to Disneyland. I took her to Knott's instead. Now, this was right after a fat person died on a roller coaster at Magic Mountain. The bar didn't lock, and they went flying off the coaster. As we were settling in a coaster at Knott's, she asked "Am I too fat for this ride?" the kid ride operator said "We'll find out..." and off we went. She was clinging to my arm, and I told her to let go, so if she did fly off, she didn't take my arm with her. Needless to say, we survived.<br />
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My brother Bob stayed with Mara whenever he played NYC - at least before comedy clubs started paying him, and putting him up in the chuckle-condo or a hotel. When he became "more famous," she still went to every show - and after a while, he started ignoring her. She had a crush on his opening act, Eddie Brill. He wasn't interested. <br />
<br />
We always kept in touch, by phone, letters and my occassional trips to NYC. I always had a place to stay. A sway-back couch. I always forgot she smoked. Open window...even in frigid winters.<br />
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We took a trip to Vegas once. She came out to AZ to visit. It was the winter. We drove up to Payson, just for fun [in the pool in the morning, in the snowy pines that afternoon]. I remember my seat belt was choking her. We flew to Vegas and I remember she put a $5 chip on a roulette # and won. We stayed in a horrible room behind the Stardust hotel. We ate at a buffet [my first time], we went downtown and she took me to dinner at Hugo's at the Four Queens. Fancy. <br />
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I had a business in the 80's. We took trips to NY. I always stayed with Mara. Kay came with us one year. I told her Mom I would take care of her 18 year old kid. She was staying with Mara while I went down the street to see my Aunt & Uncle. I got back to Mara's apartment, no Kay. She called from a bar called LIVE BAIT and said - come meet us! I ran down, caught a cab and found them. Mara had a little naughty streak.<br />
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I got married. During the days prior to the wedding, Mara was trying to be involved in every detail. To tell the truth, she was really getting on my nerves, and driving my soon to be ex-husband, Tim crazy. We asked her to back off. She did - she backed all the way off to Vegas with one of my friends and employees, Kay - only to return in the nick of time for the ceremony. I wanted her there, but as a guest, not a yente. She made new friends anyway... hanging out with the fellow smokers outside that cold December night.<br />
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She was my friend, but so distant. We kept in touch by phone. I would tell her what was going on in my life, and she would, I don't know... not listen completely? I could just see her, watching some inane program on TV, skimming a people magazine and having a smoke while we talked. So when we'd talk next, she would ask me how things were, backfilling details that weren't exactly true. Husband worked as a clerk for a judge. She told me he was the Attorney General. I would imagine she would tell her NY friends stories about me and mine... and wonder how true they were... if I tried to correct her [about details of MY life] she would say no no no... and keep going. She got things wrong about my job, my pregnancy, my daughter...So, whenever I got off the phone with her, Tim would say "How am I?"<br />
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When I was thinking of getting divorced, I decided to get away for a while. I went to NY, and Mara & I attended our college reunion. Other than her, I knew NO ONE there. It was ridiculous. There were a bunch of us "onesies" so we joined together for dinner, for drinks at the Black Oak afterwards... I was in a lot of emotional pain, and boy - Mara was the best ear - the best you could hope for in a confidante. The group played pool, Mara bought a pitcher of a beer [a first!]. One the guys wanted to go out with me afterwards... we dropped Mara off at the dorm we stayed in and off we went. That's another story, but when I got back she listened to me cry, and the next morning during breakfast pinched me hard under the table so I'd stay in control [another story for another time.]<br />
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I met and married another man. The keeper. We visited NY and Mara got to know him. More slightly fictionalized stories of Norm... always good stories, tho!<br />
<br />
She'd humor me and let me go to a neighborhood chinese restaurant every time - so I could get fried won ton noodles. [no such thing in AZ] Norm and I humored her one morning and we went out for dim sum. It was not great, but she had a wonderful time.<br />
<br />
I think Mara had such an empty life in some ways. She was not fulfilled at work, but never did anything about it. She had no love life after so many years trying, she gave up - although she was so full of love. She was a little too trusting and got burned a few times... once by some charming French guy who owed her a lot of money. He left art with her before departing [the earth, I think?] that she hoped upon hope was worth something. Nope. <br />
<br />
She was a tireless fan of my brother, and wrote this <cite class="fn">on <a href="http://www.larrymillerhumor.com/blog/?p=573" target="_blank">Larry' Miller's blog</a> after he passed away:</cite><br />
<cite class="fn">Mara Makler</cite> <span class="says">says:</span>
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<a href="http://www.larrymillerhumor.com/blog/?p=573&cpage=1#comment-48019">
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">September 7, 2010 at 8:27 am</span></span></a><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks Larry, I found your blog through Robert’s sister Sandy. I
met Robert 30 years ago when he was crashing in Sandy’s dorm. I
became friends with him and am still close to his sister. I was in LA
the week that Robert became a comedian at the improv. Who knew how
successful he would be and how much pain he would have to overcome. He
amazed me that he could take a tragedy like the death of his son and
find the humor and pathos in it. I just saw the family at his mom
funeral last month. I like to think that his mom has embraced him
because I think he couldn’t take much more. Bobby gave hisall but
itwasn’t enough. RIP Bobby, you will be missed but know that the
family will be ok. Love and miss you. The tuna fish
Lady!</span></span><br />
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She lost her parents when she was young, her sister not too long afterwards. Her only brother was protective, and yet critical [but for good reason]. Mara was stubborn, and... lazy. There, I said it. There is no other way to put it. I'm not just criticizing, she would have agreed. Towards the end of her life, she was desperate, reaching out to me, to all her friends, her brother - looking for a savior. She was in a panic. Financially, emotionally, physically... she had exhausted all of her resources in one way or another. She could hardly walk. She had dental problems. She had had so many surgeries. But, her hair was always perfect, her nails... Although she had been morbidly obese, she was certainly less so toward the end. The last time I saw her, she didn't have money for food - we met in NYC with my best friend and my husband, we paid for dinner.<br />
<br />
She supported me in all my endeavors. A little too pushy, sometimes, but hey... <br />
<br />
She loved me. She loved my daughter, and Ally loved her, too. She loved my friend Kay. She loved my friend Bobby - athough she insisted he was gay no matter what I said [he's NOT!!!]. She loved my husband, Norm. She loved her brother and sister-in-law and her niece and nephew... and maiden aunts in Florida.<br />
<br />
She never got over the men she loved - including celebrity crushes.<br />
<br />
Mara took up space on earth and now she is gone. She had a neighbor she hated, a dog-walker, a crew of friends from high school. She had clients, she bought things, she made things...she was here. <br />
<br />
She existed. I have photographs of her. I have plenty from college. She was little bo-peep for Halloween one year. My friend Sharon and I in her apartment, playing with teddy bears and pearls. A pic of the two of us in Vegas in front of a giant horse-shoe. Mara outside with the smokers at my wedding. With my daughter in Anaheim when she flew to California to go to a Highlander's convention and went to Disneyland with Ally & I [they went on the tea-cups, no spinning for me]. More. <br />
<br />
So a woman lives - has friends, has family, co-workers, neighbors. Will she be remembered? Was her life her own? I am thinking of her today, months after her death. I am laughing, and sad and knowing she had experiences... and all of is is gone to the vapors. I still feel for her. I remember.<br />
<br />
She was 57. <br />
<br />
She was a devoted doggie mom to <a href="http://boprey.com/photoblog/2010/09/strut-your-mutt-2010/best-friends-animal-society-strut-yout-mutt-2010-nyc-3/" target="_blank">Roxie</a>. I don't know what happened to Roxie. Sometimes, I wish I could pick up the phone and talk to her again. <br />
<br />
<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-48835930368453515962013-06-03T11:14:00.000-07:002013-06-03T11:14:12.964-07:00Chimera - an illusion?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="hw">chi·me·ra</span> also <b>chi·mae·ra</b> <span class="pron">(k<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/imacr.gif" />-mîr<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" /><img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/schwa.gif" />, k<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gif" />-)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>n.</i></span><div class="ds-list">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>1.</b><b> a. </b>
An organism, organ, or part consisting of two or more tissues of
different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant,
grafting, or genetic engineering.</span><div class="sds-list">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>b. </b> A substance, such as an antibody, created from the proteins or genes of two different species.</span></div>
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<div class="ds-list">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>2. </b> An individual who has received a transplant of genetically and immunologically different tissue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b>3. A fanciful mental illusion or fabrication.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b> </b>The term <span style="font-size: large;"><b>chimera</b></span> has come to describe any mythical or fictional animal
with parts taken from various animals, or to describe concepts perceived
as wildly imaginative or implausible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This portrait - in very pastel colors - is a fabrication... an illusion, the holder of a secret, a myth. Yeah, I know... she looks like someone else. But she's not.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">White with black and grey type, greys, a patterned background and trim in blues and yellow enhances a very simple composition; made of two or more "tissues." Hundreds of separate pieces of junk mail and business cards, grafted together through engineering, glue and bit of paint. </span></div>
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0back behind Colonial Heights, VA 23834, USA37.2913946 -77.38986019999998737.190330599999996 -77.551221699999985 37.3924586 -77.228498699999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-89118311905803426582013-06-03T10:41:00.000-07:002013-06-03T10:41:11.968-07:00Aurelia - Golden Girl<br />
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<img border="1" height="160" src="http://www.schimmelart.com/images/aurelia_000.jpg" width="200" /></div>
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<br />
My Golden Girl... Aurelia<br />
<br />
Despite the similar features to a somewhat familiar face...my portrait of Aurelia is NOT an actress. The inspiration was drawn from a photo of a captivating brunette in a crisp white blouse.<br />
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I'm first to admit I appropriate images seen in advertisement... images of beauty as defined by society. I take those images and re-make them - re-invent - re-interpret the shapes, planes and curves of a face... and make something completely new.<br />
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Although it is difficult to tell, the entire piece is gold. Hundreds of pieces of hand cut and hand affixed "mosaic" pieces - of paper. White and cream pieces of junk mail, greeting cards, holiday cards accented with foil embellishments... golden pieces, bronze, and deep browns with accents of gold. The background is painted in gold and bronze.<br />
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16x20" on canvas. <em></em><span class="st"><em>Aurelia</em> \a(u)-re-lia\ as a girl's name is pronounced aw-REEL-yah. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of <em>Aurelia</em> is "<wbr></wbr>golden".</span><br />
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Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0Somewhere outside of Colonial Heights, VA 23834, USA37.2913946 -77.38986019999998737.190330599999996 -77.551221699999985 37.3924586 -77.228498699999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-56795213351420875322013-05-14T10:04:00.000-07:002015-07-29T13:51:44.736-07:00"My Resting Place" - Mayn Rue PlatsI am an artist and I work alone in my studio. During most of the day and late into the night, I follow my instincts, I use whatever talent I have, and have more ideas than I can follow through with. My hands don't work as fast as my mind. A fleeting moment, a flash of inspiration often gets left behind due to other demands. Sometimes I write them down, or make a quick sketch. But, when something takes hold of me and won't let go, I have to fling myself down that rabbit hole.<br />
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And so it was one night, working away, listening to music, when a haunting melody, a song I'd heard many time before, gripped my heart. I listened over and over again. I am still humming it.<br />
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The first time I heard the song, I knew it was in Yiddish, and the minor key and the lyrics in English made me believe it was about the Holocaust. As the daughter of two Holocaust survivors, [<a href="http://www.amazon.com/To-See-You-Again-Story/dp/0452280710" target="_blank">Mom</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Otto-K-Schimmel" target="_blank">Dad</a>] my response was immediate. But no, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51Qf_oYbYYs" target="_blank">Mayn Rue Plats</a>" is a poem set to music, relating the sad story of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire" target="_blank">Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire</a>.<br />
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Recent horrific factory deaths - fires, building collapses in Bangladesh and harsh working conditions around the world spurred me to create a piece of art that would reflect the horror of these tragedies - a response in mixed media. The price of profit... the lives of women...<br />
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The version I was listening to is by <a href="http://www.brightfieldproductions.co.uk/june_tabor_biog.htm" target="_blank">June Tabor</a>, a British folk singer who I have followed and enjoyed since 1976 when I purchased "Silly Sisters" an album with another amazing folk singer, Maddy Prior. I had to follow my gut reaction.<br />
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The song is on Tabor's album <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aqaba-June-Tabor/dp/B000000E7V" target="_blank">Aqaba</a> [one of my favorites]. Although the poem was written prior to the tragedy, it is very closely associated with the fire, which spurned changes in labor laws, state and federal government safety laws and unions. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="color: black;">This is the poem written in by "Sweatshop" poet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Rosenfeld" target="_blank">Morris Rosenfeld</a> [1862-1923]:</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: black;">Mayn Rue Platz </span></b><br />
Don’t look for me where myrtles are green.<br />
You will not find me there, my beloved.<br />
Where lives wither at the machines,<br />
There is my resting place.<br />
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Don’t look for me where birds sing.<br />
You will not find me there, my beloved.<br />
I am a slave where chains ring,<br />
There is my resting place.<br />
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Don’t look for me where fountains spray.<br />
You will not find me there, my beloved.<br />
Where tears flow and teeth gnash,<br />
There is my resting place.<br />
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And if you love me with true love,<br />
So come to me, my good beloved,<br />
And cheer my gloomy heart<br />
And make sweet my resting place.</span></span><br />
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Most of the women who died in the fire were young Jewish and Italian immigrants - as young as 13. They were cutters and machine operators. The owners of the factory [located in New York City] locked the doors so the workers were not able to go into the stairwells to take breaks or to steal the products. When a fire broke out in a bin of scrap fabric, the women were not able to escape through locked doors - and many leapt out of windows or died in collapsing stairwells, flung themselves down the elevator shaft or were consumed in the fire, sitting at their sewing machines. Read more <a href="http://rememberthetrianglefire.org/open-archive/" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.csun.edu/~ghy7463/mw2.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/triangle/triangleaccount.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Warning, there are gruesome photographs on these sites.<br />
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The result of my trip down this sad, sad rabbit hole? My piece, "My Resting Place" </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44ZZq4V0VHaVivFfxb3z4q5RfBRgceJ9UyXqWgEthAz8aKfa1spQoQcmw01mLlcGaV4Oi2gB4eW1KQB6xIm9cTPTwQ-ivJUu_IarpTHclQbWBGhJv5yHa7eagikFARGfrN6xzR_unV4jU/s1600/mrp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44ZZq4V0VHaVivFfxb3z4q5RfBRgceJ9UyXqWgEthAz8aKfa1spQoQcmw01mLlcGaV4Oi2gB4eW1KQB6xIm9cTPTwQ-ivJUu_IarpTHclQbWBGhJv5yHa7eagikFARGfrN6xzR_unV4jU/s1600/mrp.jpg" /></a></div>
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It is 24x24" mixed media on canvas. It contains images of 129 women - each photo charred and sample "swatches" of fabric, also burned. It contains "ghost" images of actual victims Franny Rosen, </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD4QVgjzoOdh6n3I_16jBdhPYV75LiODlzXLy0t73xGNXfannsra9UsRR5U2SRQW6EMFQbClluspR15qUvQjPmt_Z7dIPPPocKlIAcAfS7sXV1VZ4uGAqwksriPvZNwRGVg9_H-dm9e1A/s1600/DSC01983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD4QVgjzoOdh6n3I_16jBdhPYV75LiODlzXLy0t73xGNXfannsra9UsRR5U2SRQW6EMFQbClluspR15qUvQjPmt_Z7dIPPPocKlIAcAfS7sXV1VZ4uGAqwksriPvZNwRGVg9_H-dm9e1A/s1600/DSC01983.jpg" /></a></div>
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and Josephine Cammarata below...</div>
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of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and one upside down, a child</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrteJcAQ__RLeyDjlCnh29gsZhMTWc5H4mZlDhic21vW6MR87jZu-XZXeIcuzD3bUV5r_6ueJqLXvFYtJ5953jtukFSwF3S-UCx-3GF-2_pWH4BGGUAR4-z6maPzRJoJXy2cup4jLDI1s/s1600/DSC01985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrteJcAQ__RLeyDjlCnh29gsZhMTWc5H4mZlDhic21vW6MR87jZu-XZXeIcuzD3bUV5r_6ueJqLXvFYtJ5953jtukFSwF3S-UCx-3GF-2_pWH4BGGUAR4-z6maPzRJoJXy2cup4jLDI1s/s1600/DSC01985.jpg" /></a> </div>
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plummeting from the 9th floor. </div>
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Other details include hand stitching, burned locks and keyholes, silk flowers, ribbon, chain,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk79ti7miowyl6WESnkb0qoP1PIXOYJrCpw00ajyXwl7BHl9sySAQwtInn_QUN5Ua6DQJVUZmZT6ZK7izWR3PO4a6BfPvirojclcfM3J9_PMce3nzYx_bWSWCymIvaZl4ygUpSAJrKZXnP/s1600/DSC01984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk79ti7miowyl6WESnkb0qoP1PIXOYJrCpw00ajyXwl7BHl9sySAQwtInn_QUN5Ua6DQJVUZmZT6ZK7izWR3PO4a6BfPvirojclcfM3J9_PMce3nzYx_bWSWCymIvaZl4ygUpSAJrKZXnP/s1600/DSC01984.jpg" /></a></div>
measuring tape, pins and machine parts. The background includes excerpts of the original poem in Yiddish. The main portrait is of a young woman, created in my signature style of <a href="http://schimmelart.com/art.htm" target="_blank">paper mosaic</a>.
Photos here were taken in bright sunlight so you might see shadows, and
are not perfectly aligned. You'll also notice an easel in the front. Please DO NOT COPY without permission.</div>
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Please listen to the song while gazing at this piece [here is a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJkBGa3dxQM" target="_blank">Yiddish</a> version]. And please let me know what you think. If you would like to see my work "in person" Please visit my <a href="http://schimmelart.com/index.htm" target="_blank">site</a> to see where it is shown. If you would like to purchase this piece, please <a href="mailto:artist@schimmelart.com" target="_blank">contact me</a> directly.Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-7310118929846575092013-01-17T14:47:00.000-07:002013-01-17T14:47:32.122-07:00"Peor es Nada"So - who are you - the product of your DNA or who society labels you as?<br />
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<br />This is a new, original mosaic portrait I created in my "True, the Looking Glass" series.<br />
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In 1835, a schooner named “Peor es Nada” left one of the Channel Islands after gathering the the last of the surviving natives, the Nicoleño people. One woman was left behind. The accounts of the reason vary - perhaps her baby was not on board, or she went back to the village for a prized possession. Did she jump ship or just not make it in time? A storm arose, she had not returned and the ship sailed back to the coast of California.<br />
<br />Over the next 20 years, this Nicoleño woman lived alone on the island. She learned to make baskets from wild grasses, to fish, to hunt seal and otter and built a dwelling from old whale bones. She sewed herself a garment from cormorant feathers and seal sinew. She survived inclement weather, fought off wild dogs and alluded hunters and hostile visitors to the island.<br />
<br />Meanwhile, her people were sent the San Gabriel Mission in California, and she was all but forgotten. Her people were absorbed into California and all aspects of their culture and language disappeared.<br />
<br />Eventually, Captain George Nidever landed on San Nicolas Island in 1853 and found the lost woman. She boarded his ship with her bone needles and a basket, wearing the feather garment [and not much else!]. She was taken to the mission in Santa Barbara.<br />
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Now, she was a ward of the Nidever family and the Mission. No one could understand her language, including Chumash Indians from other Channel Islands. <br /><br />
The lost woman was given a new identity - new clothes, a new name, a new religion - she was baptized Juana Maria [even though she did not understand what that meant] and something else - foods she was unfamiliar with. This new diet quickly made her ill and she died within seven weeks of her “rescue.” She was buried in an unmarked grave, used for "Indians."<br /><br />The phrase “Peor es Nada” can be translated as “Better than Nothing” or “Worse than Nothing” - This portrait is my loose interpretation of this story of lost identity - the two faces of the woman - the ward of the glittering church with a fresh new identity - and the brave, wild native woman adorned in cormorant feathers. I’ll let you decide which interpretation of the phrase works best.<br /><br />The medium used - recycled paper, paint, feathers, jewels and yarn. On canvas: 24x36” Due to the delicate nature of the medium, it must be framed behind glass. Please contact me for pricing.<br /><br />If this story sounds familiar, a fictionalized version was captured in the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Island-Blue-Dolphins-Scott-ODell/dp/0547328613" target="_blank">Island of the Blue Dolphins </a> and later into a film of the same name. If you have children, it is a wonderful, well-written story, albeit frightening for little ones.<br /><br />The “truer” story of the woman can be found <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juana_Maria" target="_blank">here</a>. Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800351412601325158.post-59062518238461676362012-08-03T06:57:00.001-07:002012-08-03T06:57:43.965-07:00us creative types on reality shows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXTjsWi2WYYYBSr4ZTNBx9YuaBrVX7qTavrlyPshlD6eC_kpOylgMfqvGZg1-Hax-_0OJvTEeTh4PuFr6wrmQw4uTe79QLoWC2TqrGTzLuyBRlcKjp1qQSeJyDzCOwn58PauBMEuOf3BG/s1600/images-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXTjsWi2WYYYBSr4ZTNBx9YuaBrVX7qTavrlyPshlD6eC_kpOylgMfqvGZg1-Hax-_0OJvTEeTh4PuFr6wrmQw4uTe79QLoWC2TqrGTzLuyBRlcKjp1qQSeJyDzCOwn58PauBMEuOf3BG/s200/images-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I like watching a few "reality" shows - but only the kind where there is some sort of actual talent involved. OMG, where do some of these people get their egos?<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway" target="_blank">Project Runway</a>, <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef?__source=ggl%7Ctop+chef%7CTop+Chef%7CG_AlwaysOn&sky=ggl%7Ctop+chef%7CTop+Chef%7CG_AlwaysOn&gclid=CPKkrNXNy7ECFQLpnAodU30Acg" target="_blank">Top Chef</a>, Work of Art, <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/chopped/index.html?vty=/chopped" target="_blank">Chopped</a>, <a href="http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/?__source=Ignited_Face_Off_Season3&WT.srch=Search" target="_blank">Face-Off</a>, <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/index.html" target="_blank">Cupcake Wars</a>, Sweet Genius...that sort of thing. Watching the contestants struggle with each challenge looks like fun, and also looks a little like torture. Seeing how each contestant interprets the mystery "ingredient" is where the creativity comes in.<br />
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It's the "confessional" on-camera talk that really gets me. It's the part of each of these shows that is designed to lure you in; make you love or hate the contestant, or feel sorry for them, or realize how talented they think they are. So many of them are obnoxiously over-confident.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bgf5P63ZFRh0Jb_fGnIxNfV5jph7mgP7frhdZueDGDJEDnQDKKhNCWI3XTEUsQeVanpKfDYa74lnAlJd1W_O7_y1PBdxW8nLC_9GNzgOqYuehJIFtO5cmSbdw6eZsEfM-LWA-b7lvY2x/s1600/images-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bgf5P63ZFRh0Jb_fGnIxNfV5jph7mgP7frhdZueDGDJEDnQDKKhNCWI3XTEUsQeVanpKfDYa74lnAlJd1W_O7_y1PBdxW8nLC_9GNzgOqYuehJIFtO5cmSbdw6eZsEfM-LWA-b7lvY2x/s200/images-2.jpg" width="200" /></a>One universally disliked reality show contestant recently delivered a line that was so telling - I can only paraphrase, but when told he was overly self-assured, he explained "there's a difference between arrogance and confidence. There is nothing wrong with being confident when you know you have "it" - arrogance is confidence with the lack of talent." <br />
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These shows suck us in with on-camera confessionals - even the best of shows want us to root for or against certain contestants. Think of kids that are adored beyond reason on Idol...the terror-in-high-heels on Top Model...and there's always some pompous ass on any cooking show.<br />
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And then there's the meek & modest, quiet, hard-working types that put their heads down and do their jobs. The loud ones that think volume and "personality" make up for talent. And of course, throw in a few visionary but self-doubting contestants. Stir. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UDEAPeSdzkMOjhF98pBn1R5wLyiMSYTwIPcYVF1ct7ab8uFnhvFyAdx6UfTKsxKgMvAFdQe9z37O8IZAZ3R1-mwavwMxNvqkRLJlSeYpd-m4KDwJgBD1KMZRItWwhzgwVR0p11uGPpz8/s1600/images-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6UDEAPeSdzkMOjhF98pBn1R5wLyiMSYTwIPcYVF1ct7ab8uFnhvFyAdx6UfTKsxKgMvAFdQe9z37O8IZAZ3R1-mwavwMxNvqkRLJlSeYpd-m4KDwJgBD1KMZRItWwhzgwVR0p11uGPpz8/s200/images-4.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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How come artisans who are potentially and equally talented have such a huge range of confidence? Were they born that way? Did someone overindulge them, or is it all an act? Assuming they can all design, cook, paint, sculpt or bake...where does the self-esteem come from...or why is it lacking?<br />
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Given any group of us creative types... assuming they all have the
capabilities to compete on the show - with the same challenge in front
of them - you'll hear these sorts of "confessions." <br />
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<ol>
<li>I'm the best one here, no one has the skills I have. </li>
<li>I am better than _____, I went to the "real" school: CIA, Parsons, FIT, the Cordon Bleu </li>
<li>I don't know how to approach this challenge.</li>
<li>This isn't my aesthetic or I don't use this product or I don't model in the nude and I don't feel comfortable not expressing "who I am" as a: designer, chef, artist...</li>
<li>OMG, we're gonna lose - my partner is: taking too much time, is questioning my design, doesn't know how to surge, is not talented, too young, too old, too slow, doesn't speak English...</li>
<li>I wish ______ would just shut up! </li>
<li>I've never done this before </li>
<li>I'm running out of time</li>
<li>I am going to take a risk by going big or going home [bye-bye, no one wants a jalapeno popper cupcake]</li>
<li>Why won't the other contestants help me by telling me where the sugar is, how to use this sewing machine, etc.</li>
<li>Why is contestant _________ here if they don't know how to sew, cook, make pastry, walk the runway, use make-up? </li>
<li>I use my sexuality to win everything. </li>
<li>I'm more than a pretty face [or body] </li>
<li>I'm screwed, I picked the wrong: ingredient, fabric, material, theme...</li>
<li>I cut myself, I sewed my finger, I dropped the pan, I burnt the mystery ingredient...[tears]</li>
<li>I am having a hard time doing this because I: miss my kids [tears], husband [tears], lover [photo shown of gay or lesbian lover], I've never been under pressure to perform</li>
<li>I am a self-taught and I'm just as good as the contestant that went to: art school, design school, culinary school...etc. </li>
<li>I'm self taught and I've never seen this kind of: fish, fabric or other ingredient before </li>
<li>I really hate contestant _____ he/she really gets under my skin</li>
<li>I am going to destroy the competition by trash-talking, bullying, teasing my fellow contestants. </li>
<li>I'm too good for this, I am leaving - the judges don't appreciate my skills</li>
<li>It's not cheating if I used a: glue gun, overhead projector, pre-made product...</li>
<li>I am going to sabatoge _________'s project </li>
<li>I'm going to win this to prove to my parents that I made the right decision by going to _____ school/profession</li>
<li>I'm doing this because if I win I will prove to my daughters that you can do anything you want to in this life [so, if you lose that means your daughters can't?]</li>
<li>I'm doing this because I have/had a life threatening illness</li>
<li>I'm doing this because I want to use the money to: help others, put my kids through college, visit my parent is far-away land, open my own: restaurant, bakery, gallery, store... [like 10K after taxes will do that]</li>
</ol>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATCwfM11e4ND8baK7WWzc5fhmsrv6Igy1vfiR6jgsjqVpa5AeeA8kv5ALWqOjXUL3BQQ_rF2tZEu-oE2t0eie4QO8Z0tkkE4e8evPpRyUoODIKPM8m_-QtzPwzfy43Z5JxB06IcmgYgg3/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgATCwfM11e4ND8baK7WWzc5fhmsrv6Igy1vfiR6jgsjqVpa5AeeA8kv5ALWqOjXUL3BQQ_rF2tZEu-oE2t0eie4QO8Z0tkkE4e8evPpRyUoODIKPM8m_-QtzPwzfy43Z5JxB06IcmgYgg3/s200/images.jpg" width="149" /></a>Given any group of us creative types, you'll get the garden variety of hair styles, piercings and pork-pie hats.<br />
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I'm sure the producers have a list of "types" they need for the casting call: one pretty, one old, one scary, one loathsome asshat, one super talent, one self-taught weirdo, one club kid, one country girl, one with a strange accent, one sexy, one with a lot of tattoos, and one just for cannon fodder [goes home first week]. <br />
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You'll get egotistical, arrogant, confident, neurotic, terrified, audacious, pushy, nasty, catty, timid, doubtful, poised, hesitant, shameless, modest, disorganized, confused, annoyed, petty, sensitive, gifted, skilled, clumsy, inept, imaginative, incompetent... personalities<br />
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And within many of us creative types, you'll find all of the above within us. One moment confident, another moment - your sensitivity finds you crashing through the floor. Maybe the judges are too mean, maybe they don't understand you, maybe they're stupid.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd00LXCBhjeedak_iyigNfiPR8o1knmfoKGHkd57t8W7bJGYcnNmLtFRolBZ2MxFq8PhUuDUp9TCQPXcRWGv_aCxTBxlcYvIVt13gsy-6SAn4_n56lrSd_tZrNWMZrhq7HpOVQ0jxntcI5/s1600/images-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd00LXCBhjeedak_iyigNfiPR8o1knmfoKGHkd57t8W7bJGYcnNmLtFRolBZ2MxFq8PhUuDUp9TCQPXcRWGv_aCxTBxlcYvIVt13gsy-6SAn4_n56lrSd_tZrNWMZrhq7HpOVQ0jxntcI5/s200/images-5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Some people just seem to be born with talent. What makes us creative is not our personalities, our clothes or how we wear our hair. How we express our creativity is the fun part.<br />
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You'll find a great chef or artist or designer can be just as neurotic as the people who have no talent, but eat their food, wear their clothes or hang their art on their walls.<br />Sandhi Schimmel Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02067606626301229034noreply@blogger.com0near Colonial Heights, VA 23834, USA37.2913946 -77.389860237.1903356 -77.5477887 37.392453599999996 -77.2319317