Tuesday 12 April 2011

Shrine

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon and her gallery of hope here with the shrines so far. I think the shrine is finished. It has gone through a lot of changes. I think I might still add the word 'home' to the lid inside, but have not decided. I was inspired by the children's book 'The Way Home', which is a lovely, moving and sobering book about a homeless child. The fact that the auction is to help street children in Mexico made me think of this book. It is the tale of the child rescuing a kitten, also homeless and in need of help. He crosses the dangerous city, finally taking the kitten home-to the makeshift shelter where he lives. The shelter is decorated with pictures I think the boy has drawn, and is now home to him and his cat. The book is about home, in the most important sense-in how it is made-through love and care and being a special place to those who live there. I wanted to show that in my shrine. The heart on the lid of the shrine is to emphasise the importance of love in making a home. The box is quite simple on the outside-the heart is made using texture paste scraped on through a stencil. It was painted, sanded, drawn on and sanded again, then gold leafed. I wanted the heart to be rich, and gold leaf seemed a good idea to do that. The drawing is ink. I spent ages trying to decide how to express what I wanted to in as simple a way as possible-it is all in my journal! In the end I decided on 'home is made by LOVE'.
The inside of the box is painted with gouache and sealed, and the paintings are on tissue and were added on using matte medium.


I need to take better photos of the inside without such harsh shadows. The girl is made from air dry clay, the cat is needle felted and the blanket is painted and sealed tissue paper. The mirror is from the Thames bank. I like a mirror in my home. It is fixed in place with hot glue-it is all very lightweight so it has held ok. The whole process has been quite long but enjoyable. However, I was very nervous when it came to assembling it all this morning! I was relieved when I had done it!


I have left the original cigar box labels uncovered as they are so pretty. The cat on the base is a Victorian (facsimile) scrap I have had for ages and really like.
I will post details of the auction when I have worked it out myself. Rebecca, who is doing such a great job organising all this, has sent everyone details, but I have still to have a proper look. I will do soon Rebecca I promise!

14 comments:

→lisa said...

That is so impressive, Sarah! What a wonderful project to be part of.

I really like the simple colorful portraits (and your new banner!). And the surprise cat on the bottom of the box is a terrific touch.

Anonymous said...

without love, there is no home

rebecca said...

she is lovely as is her heart of hearts cat.
oh i love this. i have never heard of this book and the story is bittersweet.
you shrine honoring love that makes a house a home truly moves me.
thank you sarah for joining in.
circles of rain...your banner is
beyond sweet...
as are you dear sarah, as are you!

Unknown said...

Very impressive, you are so talented, and must have such patience.

foxysue said...

Yes, your shrine resonates with me,the close-up soft pic of the cat holding boy is very endearing!

Sue x

Anonymous said...

Oh Sarah, this is amazing!! And such a moving story, that home is what you make it .... with love.

Lynne said...

It certainly looks like a lot of hard work has gone into your shrine. A labour of love I think.

Serenata said...

I really enjoyed reading about the why and how you made this and admire the work that has gone into it. Simply amazing. Certainly is a good illustration of love and care.

Linda Sue said...

What a great and fun idea! LOVE it! At first, on my computer screen the heart looked like a bit of orange peel and I thought "Oh that Sarah!" She is so clever to use organic waste on a box so dear...I was relieved to see that it was really gold foil with texture!
Trying to get a small box posted to you today- Maybe tomorrow, I can not seem to get my arse in gear...

Anonymous said...

Very nice! It sounds like this is all for a good cause!

Noelle Clearwater said...

My Dear Sarah,
I saw this on Rebecca's blog first and came over to tell you how lovely and moving it all is. The poignant journey of the story itself and your ability to illustrate it with beautiful and skillful artistry and such fragile and gentle touches truly open the heart and reach the spirit. Thank you for what you are doing. It is indeed a labor of love and the children will be blessed!
xoxo,
Noelle

deb did it said...

completely adorable

gma said...

I came from rebecca's. I love this!

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Thanks for sharing your shrine with us. As I've said to some of the other participants, I feel inspired by all of you--and you all, somehow, give me permission to think out of the box when making a shrine. No pun intended.