Theme Thursday's challenge for the week is "road trip". I found this wonderful photo of VW vans cruising through Kruger National Park in South Africa on safari, and decided to add my own little orange VW van to it, courtesy of a sheet of freebies from Mad About Cards.
The safari photo was further altered with flowers, an African postage stamp and a bug. The bug is there because, if you've ever been to Africa, you know that insects, especially the flying and crawling varieties, are like nothing you'll ever encounter anywhere else! The fire ants are as big as tractors, and their sting is so acidic and poisonous that a friend of mine has 15-year-old scars up and down one entire side of his body from ants that stung him while he slept on a camping trip....he almost died!
The flowers are from the same K&Company cardstock that backs the photograph, and to me they evoked memories of the colors of African sunsets, and African daisies. The postage stamp is from the Congo. Unless I pull the stamps off the letters myself, I'm always a little skeptical. I never know if they're real, or if they're simply an "art" stamp, but this one fit, and I think it's real. So there you have it: An altered photo of a faux memory, now part of an art journal.
And while we're on the subject of road trips, let me digress for just one moment to cross-promote my DH's blog, TireKicker, which is all about cars, and other things automotive. One of Michael's ventures in life is auto reviews, and even if you're not really into cars, he's a great writer and you'll find lots of information packed into each post, complete with photos, and usually a bit of humor as well. It's fully search-able, so if you're looking for information on a particular make or model, it's easy to find.
Now I'm not at all what you could call a car-lover! But I am the "second opinion" driver for his reviews, simply because I am a different sex, a different size, and use cars as tools, to haul kids, groceries, gear, and art stuff, and I'd like the "haul" to be as pleasant as possible, without having to take a 10-day course in gadgetry each time I move from one car to the next. Michael uses them for transportation, for pleasure, and because to him, they can be items of beauty---that last part, I don't understand at all! But since automotive transportation is a necessary part of each of our lives, in one form or another, I'm sure that you, or someone you know or live with, will find his blog interesting and informative, so please go take a look!!
Have a great day, Everyone, and Happy Driving!
beautiful collage
Posted by: Kelly B | October 03, 2008 at 02:52 PM
Barbara, your journaling is a hoot! When I got to the part of fire ants as big as tractors, I had to stop and read it to my DH. I don't think I'll ever make it to Africa and it's a good thing, because I react to bug bites badly, not allergic, but the bites have trouble getting well. Anyway, I did love your collage. You manaaged to fit a lot of good stuff in there and it looks great.
Posted by: faye | October 03, 2008 at 05:20 PM
Love everything about this piece Barbara, the flowers certainly showcase the time and theme, great details as always! I used to own a green VW bus, back in the day :)
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | October 03, 2008 at 08:27 PM
what a fabulous collage!!!
Posted by: femmy | October 04, 2008 at 12:05 AM
Wow wow wow this is wonderful.
Fantastic work.
Posted by: Sandy | October 04, 2008 at 01:06 AM
what a great card!
Posted by: ilonka | October 04, 2008 at 06:11 AM
A really stunning piece
Posted by: Linda Elbourne | October 04, 2008 at 09:08 AM
This is absolutely awesome hun well done brilliant work xxxxx
Posted by: carolann | October 05, 2008 at 07:31 AM
I had the pleasure of seeing a real vintage LHD vintage VW Campervan the other day at the garage! Lovely old buses, aren't they? We even have a 2 day event dedicated to them here (well in Cornwall), every year!!
But I digress - I love the colourful contrast between your b/w photo and the beautiful paper flowers. Stunning work as usual.
Now I'm off to look at Michael's site, because funnily enough, I adore vintage cars and Cadillacs and Corvettes are among my faves for classic looks... nearly forgot, I used to love the curvaceous T-Bird too! xoxoxo
Posted by: Rosie | October 05, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Such a marvelous collection of images and love how you ahve put them together.
Posted by: Barbara | October 08, 2008 at 04:44 PM