Natural History Boxes

Collecting and Arranging were in her nature.

Naturalist Box ( SOLD before the glue was dry)

The ephemera: original antique document from the 1800s

The found objects: vintage bicycle wrench, African dancing fruit, seed pod from Costa Rica, antique key, turkey tail fungus, tomatillo skeleton, tart tin, magic slide, paper wasp nest, bird’s nest and egg, lichen, antique copper nails, vials of green china paint,antique film bobbin, antique industrial bobbin, vintage castors

Nature Collection

The ephemera: original french documents from the 1800s, vintage dictionary page

The found objects: magic slides, antique key, typewriter coil, kiwi vine, seed pods from Costa Rica, bird’s egg, butterfly wing, drift wood, bird bones, tiny antique vials

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Curious Collection in the Works

Mostly known for my Collage Art Work, I also love to make assemblage boxes.

Here is a window into my process.

I have begun the process for two new Nature themed Boxes. I have covered the boxes with antique papers and have collected oddities from nature and found objects from the past.

Now comes the fun part…selecting and arranging. What will make the cut and what goes back in the collection for a future project?

My studio work table

Some of the treasures: seed heads, egg, nest, vials , stones, fungus, magic slides , features, paper wasp nest….

what to choose?

vintage photo

poppy seed head

turkey tail

magic slide

honeysuckle seed head

old book page

tropical seed pod

Arranging

Stay tuned for the two finished pieces.

Interdiction de l’emploi des cerfs-volants

The rules were always for others, never for him. Everything was pared down to the bares bones, the essentials.

Commission for mon ami Deni qui aime l’histoire naturelle, les curiosités et la juxtaposition des éléments incongrus.

Size: 8 inch squares on wooden block.

The ephemera: page from 1800s school book, old receipt, old rules flyer, vintage anatomy illustration, natural history image of a black beetle.

The found object: antique optical lens.

Coeur de Cygnes

C’est mieux à deux, les yeux dans les yeux, les  cœurs des amoureux savent se battre à l’unisson.

SOLD (at Visions Artists Studio Tour)

The epehemera:  Antique French document, natural history image of black swan (times two), old letter and diamond decorative paper.

Size: 8 inches square on wooden block.

Crabbing

Let’s going crabbing down by the shore.

I’ll bring the net you bring the pail.

The ephemera: original letter from 1878; original map from 1921 atlas; original stamps and postal stickers; original ration stamps from 1947 France; high quality copy of natural history image of a crab.

Limber

Limber: limp; easily bent; pliant

He was limber; flexible; but not easily swayed by the currants and tides of the political times in which he lived; and certainly, not pliant.

SOLD at Bound to be Different

The ephemera: high quality copy of natural history illustration of octopus; original letter from 1888, original vintage stamps and airmail stickers; original dictionary snippet 1900. Original atlas map 1921.

Size: 7 inches by 7 inches on wooden block

SOLD at Bound to Be Different Gallery Boutique; thanks Amy!

Saltair

Summers at the beach at Saltair. 

Alberta and May gossiping in the shade.

The picnic, tucked in the basket can wait awhile.

Halycon days, watching  the grand children

sailing, padding, collecting shells.

Altered Cigar Box

The ephemera: Vintage photo of  Alberta and May. Antique original handwritten letter, original vintage postcard of sail boat, original vintage Map Projections from old Atlas, original vintage bill receipt and and a snippet of an original  vintage program to see Madame Butterfly.

The found objects: antique glass bottle, small sea urchin skeleton, fish vertebra, quartz crystal, bit of broken shell and and old cigar box.

Back of the Box : Map Projections

Details: Alberta and May, my two grandmothers, relaxing at the Beach at Saltair, Vancouver Island, Canada, in 1949 or 1950.

 

 

CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

Natural History, naturally became Sir Percival’s passionate pastime. He travelled hither and thither across the globe in search of the quintessential specimen to add to his quirky collection. Meticulously mounted for display in his study at the Manor House, they piqued the curiosity of all those privileged enough to enjoy a peek.

GIFTED to David

Sir Percival himself

                          his cabinet of curiosities

The ephemera : original old pages from medical dictionary 1933, original chart of systeme nerveux des animaux from French school book 1868, original page from an electrical manual 1924, reproduction of a natural history book title page, original French letter 1800s, original notarized document 1879, reproduction of label for cabinet of curiosities, snippet of a map of India, reproduction of vintage photo of Victorian man.

The found objects: wooden piano striker key, antique optical lens, copper nail, vintage silk cord, old book cover, jaw bone of a young deer, seed pods from tropical trees in Costa Rica, dried fungus, poppy seed cage, robin’s egg, peacock feathers, horse tooth, vial with deep blue delphinium seeds, manuscript dipped in encaustic wax and a small vintage box lid, wooden box with hinged lid.

Size 8 inches by 10.5  inches wooden box when closed, 18 inches by 10.5 inches  when open.

Par avion

Il s’en va au nouveau monde pour faire fortune.

Un dernier regard en arrière avant de partir.

Espoir et regrets se lisent sur son visage.

Par avion…pour de bon!

SOLD

The ephemera : reproductions of vintage air mail stickers, old map, natural history image of owl and original vintage airmail stamp.

Travellers

SOLD to Mona

Travelling onwards, leaving the past behind them. No more bills, no more commitments, no more hoarding, no more secrets…Nevermore. The ephemera: old love letter from 1800s, old dictionary page (hoarder), old mechanical manual page; reproductions of old sheet music cover, old French pharmacy label, ancienne facture, old sheet music and autograph page from my grandmother to my mother; reproductions of natural history illustrations, vintage train clock and old map of London; various decorative papers; a variety of vintage numbers both original and reproductions.

12 inches by 24 inches by 2 inches wooden cradle.