C'mon, spring... You can do it!
SCENE • MONDAY • 8:45 AM • A group of students are listening to Sublime • ME: “Do you ever listen to Bob Marley?” STUDENT: “Bob Marley? Is he the blonde one?” How has everyone else’s Monday morning been?
Cary Grant Writing Tablet (1940s)
Recent eBay Score: Purchased For Collage Material
I recently purchased a collection of photos on eBay that belonged to a girl named Lisa. The photos were glued into an album chronicling her life (with handwritten annotations) from 1968 to 1972. I extracted these items carefully with a flat razor so they could be built into one of my vintage photo albums where they will be mounted on acid free pages under plastic sheet protectors. While looking through Lisa’s book for the first time I was shocked and delighted to find the actual orchid corsage that you see in the photo at left. It was ironed flat and encased in wax paper. The lace garnish and fastening pin were included as well. These artifacts will be preserved along with the associated photos from the 1971 Snow Ball in this particular album. I will be sharing more photos from this collection as well as others that I recently collected (and archived in a similar fashion) very soon. Much love to Lisa and Jeff, whoever and wherever you are 53 years later.
Lisa’s Photo • Jeff & Steve (1971)
One aspect of Lisa’s 1968 - 1972 photo album that fascinates me is the revolving cast of characters. At times, people are pictured in multiple photos but their relationship to Lisa isn’t immediately clear. Noted names, locations and occasions are present here and there but not always. This photo was marked Jeff & Steve ‘71. Jeff pops up in a few shots with other teenagers. Interestingly enough, he is the only friend whose last name (Titus) is written on any of the prints. The young boy seen here doesn’t appear elsewhere so I don’t know his relationship to either Lisa or Jeff. Lisa appears to have three younger brothers whose names are written on two separate prints and Steve isn’t one of those names. All I know is I’m enjoying those youthful smiles, that wedge of red at the bottom right and the angularity of this snapshot. Extra points for the green car whizzing by behind Jeff. Well done, Lisa. Well done. Sometimes the mystery is the magic.
To Lisa From Al • With Lisa’s Dymo Tape (1972)
The inscription on back reads: Lisa - May God bless and keep you. Of course you are a sweet girl and very nice to be with. I am very fortunate to know someone like you. If you remain as sweet as you are some lucky guy is going to be very happy. I hope to be that guy. - Al • Note the Dymo Tape message that Lisa affixed to this wallet size print. Among Lisa’s other annotations in her album was a note stating that Al moved to Arkansas in 1972. This would clarify the tone of Al’s message and it’s interesting to note that 1972 is where Lisa’s album ends. All 68 of Lisa’s photos (and a few of her notes) have been paged and mounted into a fresh new album and I’ll be sharing some more highlights from her collection soon. Young love. Young heartbreak. Sigh… Does it EVER get ANY easier as we get older?
Every year I mark the first official day of matting for the spring art shows with a photo. This is my 24th year of spring show prep (including the 2020 virtual exhibit). I’ve spent 47 percent of my life working in the Art Department at Randolph HS and 56 percent of my life working in art education overall. It all went by in the blink of an eye.
I saved a little daylight for all of you.
Stay illuminated. XO - CDM
