My Art Gallery

My girls are creative in many ways. They write fabulous stories, make up songs and create some pretty imaginative works of art. Today I'm going to share with you some of their creations. Let's start with The Crab. My youngest made this when she was in 2nd grade, using styro-foam and toothpicks. She did this while patiently waiting for our food to arrive at a restaurant.





This next piece was made by my youngest about 2 years ago with found items from the junk drawer. He is a robot, and was made to assist Gerbil Thingy - her favorite beanie baby/superhero/plaything. Robot has a head/snout made from a binder clip, one foot is a key and the other is the metal spring from a clothespin. The racket-like object is one of those Easter-egg dippers that finally found a use. Put a pipe cleaner and a bit of junk in a child's hands and this is what you get.


Before you is Fred da Cactus, the newest creation of my youngest. Fred was designed to enhance her notebook, which has a clear pocket on the front where Fred resides, much to the amusement of her middle-school friends. I suspect he came to exist during a period of boredom in class. That's how it is in middle-school.






















I present to you, Beavis Maximus. My eldest created this regal sculpture in honor of beloved Beavis during her first year in high school. No, I don't know why. He wasn't an assignment, just something she came up with while hanging out with a friend in the art room after hours. Love his laurel wreath...he even has tiny, little nipples... oh my! She and her friend had many a laugh over this fellow. This photo doesn't really do him justice.


This artwork I shall simply title, Flowers. Eldest created this to hang on her bedroom wall. The colors match her bedding and it's a combination of paint, glued on construction paper, markers and ink. The reverse side is a painting she made that she didn't like. Nothing like a bit of recycling, eh? Again, my photo does not really do it justice.



Last, but not least, is my eldest daughter's 3D Art. Ok, that's not really it's name so much as it's description. This piece was an actual assignment. I like the fact that I can turn this sculpture in any direction and it works! I also like the vibrant colors - most of her work is done in vivid colors.


My collection of the girl's artwork dates back to their earliest creations. I'm sure the collection will continue for as many years as I am around to display/collect/store it! I hope you have enjoyed it too.

Armida and Rinaldo

I bought this painting, The Death of Armida, several years ago. I first saw this painting on display in a bakery that featured a different local artist each month. It was done by Melinda Copper. She and her husband are extraordinary artists, who are adept at a variety of arts including sculpture and painting. One of her dog portraits was so precise it could have passed for a photo.

Melinda had a selection of her animal paintings on display that month, which consisted of beautifully rendered reproductions of famous works of art. For example there was a lovely copy of the Mona Lisa featuring a cat. I knew I had to have one of her pieces(I just had to!!) and it took me a few days to make up my mind. I finally chose this painting because (in no particular order)

a) I used to have pet rabbits;
b) The colors are so beautiful; and
c) The subject matter was intriguing.

I didn't really know anything about the story of Armida and Rinaldo, so I dreamed one up of my own. Obviously (obvious to me, anyway) the soldier in red has come to tell Armida that her love-bunny has died in battle (proof being the armor dropped on the ground). Overcome with grief,she wants to die too, as evidenced by the arrow she holds to her chest. As she is about to plunge the arrow into her heart the soldier bunny stays her paw. I suspect he has motives of his own and is hoping to become her new love-bunny. That's my version, anyway.

Wanting to know the real story about Armida, I took it upon myself to do some research. On the internet of course, because that's where you can find anything, right? Maybe even the truth. Hah! Following is a brief description of some of what I have gathered:

Armida is a beautiful enchantress in "Jerusalem Delivered" (one of those epic poems from the 1500's about the crusades). She intends to kill Rinaldo (a great crusader) but falls in love with him and bewitches him instead. When her spell is broken by his buddies (they bring him a mirror of diamonds, wherein he sees the truth), he either

a) goes back to crusading,leaving her heartbroken and suicidal; or
b) overpowers her with his love and persuades her to become a Christian.

There are other variations from opera and depending on who is interpreting. Whatever the story and it's outcome, this painting is enthralling and I adore it!

If you are interested in seeing more of Melinda's outstanding artwork take a look here: www.melindacopper.net. Enjoy!