Art has made my life so beautiful in so many ways. I hope you enjoy these photos and that they bring a little beauty to your life today.
I've been an artist my entire life. I began making art seriously at about 5 when I made my first collage of a strawberry ice cream cone out of colored paper. It was a success.
Since then my art has primarily leaned towards the spiritual. Large shrines, small shrines and sculptures. The large shrines were like miniature renditions of Brunelleschi's altar at the Vatican. At 3' high and 40 lbs, they are just too large and labor intensive for me to do anymore. So my work has progressively gotten smaller and smaller.
Two madonnas : One in shells and the other in paper. Large pieces. So, so fun to make! Madonnas are, for me, about the sacredness of motherhood and the miracle of being a woman.
The back of her was completely covered with shells as well - so that the pink garland around her head continued. About 30" high - it weighed 22 lbs. This was purchased by a young man who came twice to look at it. (at that time I was selling in a beautiful shop that sadly doesn't exist anymore) On the second visit he took a deep breath and said "Yes, I want it." That was my happiest sale ever! He sent it to his mother - all the way to the East coast where I am happy to say it arrived safely, not a single shell damaged! - it was her Mother's Day present. It doesn't get any better than that!
This one I've shown before. I'm still pondering a way to exhibit my work. I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, but understanding shipping is like trying to read hieroglyphics...
She's 48"x24".... she has a presence!
And finally, here are a couple of small shell shrines that I've been doing recently - small is good too!
This one can have many purposes: remembrance of a friend - prayers for the sick - etc. It has a shell to hold items like the above one and the two opposing shells hold water for flowers. This one hangs.
This one is a bit large, about 14" high. There is a vacant space on the large scallop in the center so that something can be inserted: the picture of a loved one, a prayer or poem.
When I make art, the whole world disappears. I hope you have something in your life too that takes you to a place of peace and joy.
Love, Liv
These are wonderful. I share your love for Madonna and child imagery. In spite of my lack of religiosity, I still find the BVM deeply moving. I especially like the reliquary for the baby. Suhweet!
ReplyDeleteI think I like that last one the best.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful creations, Liv. Thank you for sharing them with us -- you are so talented in so many areas.
ReplyDeleteColette,
ReplyDeleteI get that. I'm not religious either, but I do love all that BVM arty stuff too!
Mary,
Thanks so much for the comment. That's one of my favorites too.
Elizabeth,
Thanks, hope they brighten your day.
Wow, are those amazing! I love them all, the design, the detail. I have collected shells for years, and never in my wildest dreams could I come up with something this lovely. I just keep mine in jars and bowls all over the house and play with them from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your art with us!
Mel,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment. Can you believe? every one of these shells..no, I'm not joking, came from Goodwill! I've been going there for about 16-18 years and over that time I've amassed a ridiculous amount of them. It's either do something with them or move the furniture out, because there isn't enough room for both :)
I just picked up part of a post that you deleted. Are you OK?
ReplyDeleteBirdie,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the concern, I really appreciate it.
A very disturbed and malicious neighbor just found out about my blog, Google plus and email - I have no idea how he could. But he posted untrue things about me and threatened my dear cat's life. I just wanted to get away from him, but after I published that post I decided to fight this with dignity and stand up for myself. People who do such things want to harm and I won't let that rob me of something that means so much to me. So I have decided to continue with my life and I will post about this later today or tomorrow. He wants me to give up, but I won't let let him win!
Again, thanks Birdie.
Stunning. You're very talented.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
Greetings from London.
Ah, London! My favorite city in the whole world.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment, it inspires me to keep working.
Stay dry...if you can.