Friday, February 15, 2013

seedtime

my husband has been going through seed catalogs
making his plans for the coming summer
happily, I inherit the old seeds which went unplanted from years past
some of my seeds go back to 2003
I knew in my heart that I would use them in my art somehow

"we sowed seeds"

I've stitched them between layers of teabag paper and onto antique linens
my inspiration really comes from the photos though
it makes me sad that I don't know who these people are
I have a habit of picking up old photos at the local junk shops
some of the faces and the scenes I just cannot turn away from
it seems like life was harder then
the clothes are worn - the faces are lined
but they chose to pause and pose for the camera
a certain pride in family, friends, work, possessions, places

we are no different and the camera connects us

"in season"

* * *

speaking of posing
the blue sky made an appearance today
as photogenic and beautiful as I remember her



14 comments:

Mary Helen-Art Saves Lives said...

I love these new works...they are simple...elegant and yet quite powerful statements...have a great weekend. I saw the beautiful sun this afternoon on my drive home. Have a great weekend! Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

barbara said...

i,too, pick up old photos and wonder what stories they have to tell. it's fun to make them into art with new stories! these are two poignant ones! thanks for sharing them.

Elizabeth said...

I, too, feel compelled to if not buy, then at least pick up and look at the photos of strangers, particularly the old ones. I always wonder why they've found themselves in a store, for sale -- and then I wonder why I hold on so tight to my own photos. I am glad that there are artists like you out there, giving these old photos, these memories of souls a place -- and a beautiful place, at that!

Sue said...

I like the idea of the seeds "sewn" into the fabric instead of the ground.....preserved forever.

DAWN said...

Your seed art is like lovely little treasures. Beautifully displayed. Ahhhh, blue skies! Have a wonderful weekend.
~Dawn

Anonymous said...

Oh I love these pieces Kimmie, they are so YOU and there is a tenderness in seeing the old photos with the seeds. xox

amy of studio four corners said...

these little glimpses in a life before are wonderful - so delicate but yet strong...I pick up those old photos too...and try to imagine the life of that day and time...

sukipoet said...

fun to look through seed catalogues in the winter. These two pictures are lovely. like the color tones and the old photos are great too. esp like the guys working. and what an inventive use of old seeds.

Jill said...

I love your work. My father is law is dying and the old photos and "we sow seeds" (he was a farmer) really speaks to me.
I'm happy to see you have blue skies again! They've been scarce here lately too.

~*~Patty S said...

your seeds lovingly stitched and layered really speak to me ... I also feel compelled to rescue photos lest they lay forgotten

your creativity and use of the photos is magical Kimmie!

Happy Blue Skies to you and yours
oxo

Annie Cholewa said...

I'm another who can't resist old photographs, although I rarely seem to find them in charity shops and the like.

I do like these pieces, especially the second. Your aesthetic, certainly in terms of these washed out colours, is very close to mine. With me I wonder if it's all about nostalgia, with everything faded and also made mysterious by the passing of time. Not that I think of myself as remotely nostalgic. How about you?

Gayle Price said...

What absolutely beautiful creations. Love the shape you have used to frame the photos. So many soft and subtle details. Beautiful idea and even more beautifully executed. xx

Kim Mailhot said...

What a perfectly springing way to play with seeds. Just lovely.
Here's to more sunny days...

Yvonne said...

I do the same thing....pick up old photos at junk shops. I feel so bad that these were not passed down in their family, whatever happened to these people. You made them come alive again in your art. Lovely Kimmie, really lovely.