Lest anyone think the stories of the west are only fables, take a look at this! My Uncle Frederich, age 3 (left), and my Father, Otto, age 5 (right), both of them born in the Territory of the United States (before Arizona became a state), and toting real guns! In this day and age when lots of us don't let our kids play with toy guns, we forget that not too long ago in the western territories of the U.S., kids with guns was not only a common sight, but a necessity. . .there were grizzly bears in Northern Arizona, and any kid who couldn't shoot might easily become breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
I have only a few photos of these early days, and I guard them with my life! The piece above was done today to fit in with 4 X 4 Friday's Wild West theme. This photo, scanned and restored in Photoshop, then printed onto photo paper and re-distressed by crumpling, burning, staining and tearing, is actually a little sharper now than the original, kept flat in a dark box. I backed it onto art paper with a layer of black hand-painted organza and a torn piece of Arizona information from an old encyclopedia purchased to alter. I distressed the copper brad with the new Tim Holtz texture hammer (wonderful item!), and sewed-on the rusty spring with a couple of charms: A pair of chaps and an aged heart. After I glued it all down with my now favorite glue from Close To My Heart, I stitched around the card with black thread.
This is a fabulous 4x4 and how special is that photograph, I'm sure you must treasure it
Posted by: Andrea | February 08, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Oh Barbara, there's always such a tale to your art! What magickal memories!
Posted by: Rosie | February 08, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Barbara this is just amazing! The picture is priceless and thank you for the story of it... it makes the artwork so very personal. I love it!
Posted by: Amanda | February 08, 2008 at 04:31 PM
That is a true work of art. Great job... and fantastic photo to work with!
Posted by: Cheryl Comfort | February 08, 2008 at 06:23 PM
This is excellent! What a terrific image...love it.
Posted by: Gayle Page-Robak | February 08, 2008 at 07:30 PM
That photo is a true treasure and is just perfect for this theme.
The card itself is perfection. I love all the little details.
Excellent!
Posted by: Kathi R | February 08, 2008 at 09:15 PM
Oh my godness, this is another stunning project Barbara. Absolutely special creation. Awesome.
Posted by: Sandy | February 09, 2008 at 01:08 AM
Wonderful work, I love it.
Posted by: Silvia | February 09, 2008 at 03:31 AM
This is just fantastic!!!! I love the details of your story as well, I enjoyed this 4 by 4 very much!
Posted by: kathy | February 09, 2008 at 07:06 AM
WOW, amazing image and the texture of this peice is just awesome! Really grabs me!
Posted by: sondra | February 09, 2008 at 04:19 PM
Fantastic Barbara ~ this has so much character and interest to it!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | February 09, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Happy belated Birthday...we share the same one...thanks for the wishes on Monday Artday...and I am thrilled to find your blog...
Cheers,
Diana
Posted by: Diana Evans | February 09, 2008 at 09:56 PM
What a brilliant 4 x 4!!
Posted by: Angelina | February 10, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Hi Barbara - what a great photo and I like what you did with it. I;ve got you back in google reader now!!
Posted by: Paula Hewitt | February 11, 2008 at 03:14 PM