The Microcosm That is Nathan's

"Coney Island is and always will be 'the people's playground.' It's a place where people of all backgrounds come to have a good time." Harold Feinstein, Photographer

It could be the incredible weather. Eighty degrees in April?! Really? Or maybe it was the Pink Full Moon. Or maybe I was just hungry. Nevertheless, my thoughts were drawing me to Coney Island. And one of my favourite places was, and still is, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs.

Established in 1916, immigrants Nathan and Ida Handwerker spent their life savings of $300 to pursue the American dream. Still standing on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Brooklyn, Nathan’s was always a great stop on the way home from a day at the Beach. The huge white sign with the “Nathan’s” green script is forever a welcome mat to every Beach weary traveller.

I found a great vintage photo taken in 1947 of a hungry crowd waiting to be served. And there in the foreground was the object of their affection…the famous Nathan’s hot dogs and buns marking time on the rolling grill.

Grabbing my Strathmore Visual Journal I started the design. I brayered layers of acrylic paint on to the stock. I wanted colours that screamed beach, summer, and joy so I selected hues of yellow, orange, red and pink. I especially love the Dylusions sprays. Bubble Gum Pink is outstanding. It really gave the background the pop of colour it needed. But rather than spray it on to the paper, I sprayed my palette, coated the brayer and rolled it on to the surface. The hot pink colour stays true even when dried. What's not to love?

You can never have the Beach without the Ocean. Part of the charm of eating at Nathan’s is feeling the gritty, sandy sidewalk under your feet and the sea salt in the air. That is why the Artistcellar Water Series is the perfect complement for my composition. I chose to use the 12” x12” Surf stencil. The movement of the stencil is a wonderful counterbalance to the straight brayered patches of colour. 

In addition to my Visual Journal I also have a digital counterpart. From this collection I chose two watercolour versions of the Artistcellar Halftone Dots Series. Stenciled on to Mineral Paper the samples had just the quality I was looking for to complete the work.

You can't have the complete Nathan’s experience without people. With a bit of digital manipulation the image was ready to become part of the final composition.

And that’s what I love about Art. Even though I couldn’t be at Nathan’s physically, by working on the collage I was able to travel through time and visit a location near and dear to my heart. It allowed me to remember an exceptional, blissful time with my family.

But Nathan’s isn’t just somewhere to eat. For me it is the embodiment of all that is truly American: our spirit of entrepreneurship, our willingness to hope for a better future, a place where young and old, rich and poor can mingle. In essence, it is a microcosm of the tolerant and diverse city I am proud to call my home. 

As a Nation there are times we seem to go off track. But I firmly believe our collective soul thrives on compassionately embracing ideas that are different.

Above all else, I am confident our willingness to offer a warm welcome to those who want to make this Nation their own will never waver. It will always be what makes us quintessentially American.

MATERIALS USED IN THIS COLLAGE:

• ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: Halftone Dots, Water Series
• PLAID ACRYLICS: Brilliant Orange, Sunflower, Parisian Pink
• REEVERS ACRYLICS: Rose Red
• DINA WAKLEY ACRYLICS: Ruby, Lemon, Ocean, Lime
• CRAFT SMART: Pink Blush
• DECOART: Sunny Day, Berry Metallic, Dazzling Champagne Gold
• DYLUSION: Bubble Gum Pink Spray
• BRAYER
• NATURAL SPONGE
• STRATHMORE VISUAL JOURNAL
• MINERAL PAPER
• DIGITAL VINTAGE IMAGE

Where Should You Be?

Coney Island - Wish You Were Here

A bloodshot sun is hanging heavy in the sultry sky. There is no better time to draw seasonal inspiration than during these lazy, crazy days of Summer.

With perfect timing our current Lunagirl Moonbeam Design Team Challenge is Retro Summertime. Although it's been cool and rainy here in Central Pennsylvania, we are now experiencing the heat and humidity of a typical Mid-July.

All of the Lunagirl images are so tempting, but as soon as I saw the group of lovely ladies enjoying a day at the beach I knew I found my inspiration. The lifesaver with the words "Wish You Were Here" said it all.

I was lucky to spend my childhood growing up in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, New York. Even though we spent our family vacations at Montauk, nothing says Summer to me more than Coney Island.  With just a subway ride away, it was the perfect place to find a bit respite from the city smothered in heat and humidity.

I couldn't wait to get started on the collage. I recently visited a local flea market and discovered a Coney Island souvenir postcard booklet. Printed in the late 1950's I knew it would be perfect for my mid-century inspired art. I chose to start using the cover with the image of the Parachute Jump.

The digital collage came together quickly, as I easily pulled images from my collection of ephemera. But the finishing touch was from another Lunagirl image. The handwritten message was to the point: "This is where you should be for that rest you need. It's grand down here."

And for me, reminiscing about Coney Island is where I should be. The memories are more than the subway rides, or peppers and egg sandwiches, or the cooling Atlantic renewing me with each wave. It is as much now as it was then, a time of sharing the joy of spontaneity with my family. It is reviving the gift of a magical childhood.

Where should you be?

Mindfully Still...

JOURNEY - Carpe Diem

I recently joined a group of very talented women in a circle round-robin Journal exchange.

Each of us assigned a theme to a Journal and sent it to a person on our list. By the end of the year, our Journal should return to us packed to the brim with the thoughts and art of the women taking part.

The first Journal to arrive to me was from Australia. The theme was "Journey". It thrilled me to open the box and see all the beautiful papers and art. But where to begin!

Looking through my folders I spotted the portrait of a young girl holding a seashell to her ear. What could she be hearing? And how often have we all mimicked her during our youth? What a romantic notion...our future whispering to us from the curved surfaces of a shell. Are we listening to the Ocean..or more?

Our Journey, I feel, is best experienced when we are still and mindful of this moment. Working on the Journal allowed me the time to enjoy the stillness, to pluck the ripeness of the day, to be fully aware.

The substrate for the page is heavy white paper. I covered the background with Distress Ink, fluid and metallic acrylics. In addition to the Victorian girl with the seashell, I added maps, wax infused paper, and telephone book paper. Stenciling completed the page. The pocket on the front is the perfect place for the supplied tag I decorated. I continued the collage on the back of the piece as well.

I hope when the Journal box comes home again its owner will be pleased. I loved working on the page knowing that the Journey continues with each and every moment.

Is your stillness enfolding you?  Are you able to hear the gentle whispers of your future?

What Are Your Cherished Memories?

There Is Only One Coney Island - Collage

Growing up in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, New York afforded me a childhood filled with magic and mystery...and a feeling that anything we could dream we could attain if we lived a fearless life. And even though I no longer live in Brooklyn, it will always be home.

I can't reminisce without dreaming of Coney Island. For me, Coney Island is more than just an amusement park or a beach. It was, and still is for me, an all-encompassing experience. I loved the ride on the subway to get there, the salty taste of the ocean, discovering "wonders" in the Wax Museum, scaring myself to death on an assortment of rides, falling in  love Nathan's hot dogs and fries...but most of all...it was a time I shared with my Mom and my Grandmother. Our laughter and smiles will forever be enhanced by the glittering reflections of the Ocean. And I never fail to hear my Grandmother's voice saying "Grab your bathing suits...we're going to Coney Island" every time I see a full orange sun lounging in a simmering Summer sky.

Mother's Day is even more special when I think of all they gave me through their wit. wisdom, and encouragement. They shared their personal Muse with me and supported my search to find my own.

The substrate for the collage is canvas covered with various ticket stubs, art paper, handmade paper, and maps. The black and white photo is an image transfer on to packing tape. I finished the collage using acrylic paint and stencils.

What cherished memories do you share with the special women in your life on this Mother's Day? 

Not Only in Heaven....

Ocean Dreams Altered Journal Page

As the temperatures climb, my thoughts are drawn to anywhere refreshing and cool...especially the ocean. And the ocean to me means Coney Island. I loved everything about Coney Island...from the subway ride, to getting to the water by walking down the streets with the magical names...Surf Avenue, Nautilus Avenue, Neptune Avenue, and the best of all...Mermaid Avenue!

I have a fascination with Mermaids. The concept is so intriguing to me. The idea of living life in the ocean, swimming in the moonlight, wearing starfish in your flowing hair sounds wonderful to me. I like to think of the mermaids as benevolent, beautiful creatures...graceful as they swim, like Synchronised Swimmers with added drama and mystery.

The page is from a 1001 Journals Project journal. The theme was Ocean Dreams. What could be dreamier than vintage mermaids?

The page incorporates vintage images of mermaids and starfish, found paper, handmade paper, postage stamps, inks and dyes.

But best of all is the quote from Johann Heinrich Linck's De stellis marinis liber singularis written in 1733:

"Not only in heaven, but also in the seas are there stars."

And the mermaid's brilliance reflect in their celestial  light.

Somewhere...Beyond The Sea...

"Ocean Dreams"

Whenever I hear Bobby Darin sing "Beyond The Sea" my mind instantly is drawn to memories of Summer days on the beach at Coney Island. Everything about the song is perfect...the melody...the lyrics. The song always takes my mind and heart running back to a wonderful childhood in Brooklyn.

When I found out about The 1001 Journals Project I quickly signed up. The concept is great. To quote the website: "1001 Journals is an online community for people who enjoy writing, creating art, photography, and sharing their creations. Using three different journal types (traveling, location, and personal) users are able to share their thoughts with users around the world."

This page is from the "Ocean Dreams" Journal. I couldn't wait to start working on it. With Brighton Beach and  altered with handmade and found paper, postcards, stamps, old photos.

I've always loved the idea of a message in a bottle. In many ways, altering the journal and sending it on its' way is the same. I wonder if any of the 1001 Journals will end up in a time capsule?

Wouldn't that be a wonderful way to see our art survive!