January 11, 2011

Winter Light: Creatures in the House



In addition to me and my two cats, my house is home to many creatures: flies and spiders, ladybugs and the occasional mouse. And then there are the inanimate ones, perched here and there on tables and shelves, adding a representation of life to bowls and vases and wooden surfaces. Alongside a real butterfly of iridescent blue is the multi-colored kookaburra salt shaker, the one remaining of a pair.




The cow, an "Ideal U.S. Holstein Female", used to be my model when I painted landscapes that included cows. In front of her is a charming wooden duck decoy, whose simple black and white paint fits the surroundings perfectly.




On a shelf in the bedroom, catching the morning reflected light, is the only human stand-in, a wooden pull toy, along with a clay pigeon, odd, but constant, companions.




A cast metal chicken does duty, delightfully, as a paperweight. The upright pincushion bird behind it was cleverly designed to gain a beak when a scissor is inserted in its head.




After the many birds, a group of tiny mammals, the handmade remnants of a Noah's Ark, missing limbs replaced by straight pins, gather on a windowsill to catch a glimpse of the world outside.

13 comments:

  1. Ah, I love this post. Also, the cousin to your kookaburra lives in my house--fancy that. Did you perchance read (in the NY Times, I believe) about a guy who collects repaired antique objects, & his favorite is a ceramic dog with one leg replaced by a nail?

    Last of all, I did a series like yours--perhaps I will share images of the menagerie if you are interested. Cheers!

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  2. Thanks, Megan. No, I didn't see that NY Times piece. My Noah's ark animals came with the pins and I sometimes have to bend them a bit so that the animals stand upright. Sure I'd like to see your menagerie; are they on facebook?

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  3. ah, that's charming! I too have an affinity for these kinds of creatures, is there a good categorical name for them? I think not. they are anomalies that somehow speak to us in private.

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  4. I'll just say this post made me smile!

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  5. thanks, rappel and wetoilpaint. I do love my animals. I don't think there's any name for them as a group, rappel; I suppose they are just sub-categories of folk art or collectibles, which diminishes their lively presence.

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  6. I really enjoy seeing how you structure your still lives in 3D!

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  7. A "lively presence" might be the category name; certainly an apt description of all your creature friends. I found it impossible to pick a favorite as they are a delightful group; such individual styles and personalities. I don't doubt that they are good company especially when one is indoors so much at this time of year.

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  8. Linda and Julie, thank you.
    Sometimes I go for a long time without really regarding my little collections. It's fun to do a post like this to bring them back to eye and mind.

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  9. Your still life(s) do in indeed have a lively presence and I love Linda's idea that that is the collective noun! The scissor beaked big bird is a gem and I am much taken with the butterfly and kookaburra - although he might be a sacred kingfisher. Our regular old kookaburras have pretty unspectacular plumage. As to repairing lost limbs with pegs and pins...was it Fabre who repaired the wing of a wasp or a fly he had got fond of with cellophane?
    Carolyn

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  10. hi Carolyn, isn't the scissor beak wonderful! I imagine someone making it for his wife. I hadn't known about Fabre, so looked him up. A famous entomologist, I imagine he might have attempted such a repair.

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  11. Hi, I wanted to know if you could assist in where I can find "Ideal U.S. Holstein Female" as per the picture above? My dad bought one when he went to the USA a good few years back. It broke recently and I am trying to get hold of one. It looks exactly like the one in the photo. Will you be able to assist or even consider selling yours? Eloise

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    1. Sorry, Anon., that I can't help you. I bought that cow over 25 years ago from the Holstein Friesian Association of America in Brattleboro, Vermont. I looked them up and they don't have a website; I assume they are no longer selling these models. No, I will not sell mine.

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    2. Hi, yes I think my dad bought is more than 25 years back - he was a dairy farmer. No worries just thought I will give it a shot.
      Thank you, Eloise

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