Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Umbrellas on the West Coast






This week's challenge is to make some umbrellas, posed by Laura McHugh East. I've been looking forward to this challenge, wondering what I might do with Tiki drink paper umbrellas I've saved, or maybe I would draw some fantasical umbrellas.


Truth be told, I'm not an "umbrella person." Last April, when my friend and I went to NYC for a few days, it rained harder than I've ever seen it rain. I have always relied on the hood of my coat to keep me out of the weather, but after walking several blocks from seeing "Rain" (ironically) to our hotel, I was drenched because I did not use the umbrella. My camera, under my coat, got so wet I thought it might have damaged it.


Here are some photos of many umbrellas that were out on display in NYC, and my art piece for this week. Even after this soaked experience, I still don't own an umbrella. I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't but I am spared the disappointment of it blowing inside out and I don't have to manage and keep track of it. I have to give up that it is a fashion accessory, though.








Regarding the art piece, I have been sick for days with a fever and chills - the flu I think. So, I cheated a bit this week and used a mixed media piece I made in 2012 for this challenge.


I took old papers (tax forms) and photos and assembled them on a large panel. The base of the piece is a nautical chart of Vancouver, where my family is from. I added some matte medium that has little glass bubbles in it and the cut outs of some vintage umbrellas and fishies.




What are the fishies whispering in the strange gentleman's ears? Is he torn?

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