History With Family
As I child I remember going through a big box of old family photos with my mom. Occasionally my grandmother would visit and she would go over them with me as well. They told me the story of my family history. I would go through it over and over wondering what the folks in these old photo were like as people. This weekend I happened to have the wonderful opportunity to take a class with Orly Avineri and we altered a book cover. The book was to deal with honoring loss. It could be a loss of a family member, friend, loved one, or a time, or feeling. Honoring the loss, the sorrow, the laughter, the memories all of it together. I decided to do it about my “family”. I love my family. I love my biological family and as an adult I love my chosen family. If you ever get the opportunity to take a class from Orly Avineri take it. She is the most wonderful teacher and I am so happy to call her my friend as well. This is the book I did. The photo on the left side is of my great-grandfather Barley on my father’s side. The photo on the right is of me and my dog Moochie. I can’t wait to dive into my altered book. It has me thinking about family and what it means to me and how they have helped me to develop into who I am today. For me family includes all my friends, pets, as well. Because I hold all these wonderful beings inside of me. They have touched my life and they have helped to make me who I am today. Who has touched your life? How have they shaped you and your life?
You’ll have a great time with this book, Brian. I did a lot of work with family pictures and journaling a few years back and it helped me heal wounds I didn’t know I had, and it helped me develop a new respect for the family who came before me.
Nice cover. Loss can be felt in so many ways can’t it? I wish I had more of the family stories especially from my father’s side of the family but they weren’t emotional people so stories didn’t make it down the line. I guess that is the loss I feel in connection to family. And yes, pets should definitely be included as family!!
This is truly a wonderful way to honor all that you enjoy as family and feel close to. These beginnings pieces are amazing and I just know your entire journey making this book will be a wonderful experience. Happy creating…
You are SO lucky. That class sounds amazing. And the proof is in the lovely book cover you have created. It’s wonderful that you have so many photos of your family. They will certainly come in handy as you explore Loss and what it means to you. And I feel this is far better than leaving boxes of old photos to be pitched after years of neglect. These show how much they are truly loved.
This cover looks FANTASTICAL!!! Truly stunning. Cannot wait to see what will come about inside of it. Enjoy that process. I love the content you have chosen for it and you writing about it so thoughtfully..
XOXOrly
Thanks for your comment today. I am not going to do anything with the journal. I am considering selling it. If I do, it will be the first thing I have ever sold as an artist. In fact, I hope they will become a hit and I can sell a few of them. Sorry Brian, I love making them, I don’t love journaling in them :>)
These covers look great Brian. Such a vintage look. And the fact that they are actually photographs of your family members makes it even better.
We both have a love for papers– old, worn, torn, yellowed, weathered, marked up the better. Some of your papers look like papers I have too. I love your collages very much.
Wonderful collage work!
Thank you for entering my giveaway and best of luck!
Lynn
YOU have touched my life too! I happened upon your altered journal when visiting Orly’s most recent blog. I have to tell you, I LOVE the look of your site, and though I haven’t known you for a very long time, I believe there is a richness and depth to you that i hope to learn from. I too, am thankful of my “family of choice”–please keep sharing your journey with the world!
Great groupings of images to create this piece. Fantastic! 🙂