Thursday 4 April 2013

COLLAGE OBSESSION - YOUNG LOVE IN PARIS

REMEMBER, REMEMBER

The theme for this week's Collage Obsession is 'Cities'.  I worked through a few ideas about city skylines, and Liverpool's distinctive skyline in particular, but wasn't inspired enough to start.

Then I realised that I was looking at the theme from the wrong angle.


A city is more than just buildings.

A city is about its heart and soul - the people who live there, and the workers and visitors.

Without the throbbing heart of its people a city is just an empty shell.


Photo by Zoë Photography 
Artwork and poem by Jez
All images and poem Copyright


So this is my take on the 'Cities' theme.  My daughter Zoë took the photo on a business trip to New York.  I always love all her photographs, but have never visited NY, and as a surprise she gave me an unusual and original Christmas present.

The gift was an A4 sketchbook with one of her photographs on every alternate page, opposite to a blank page, so that I could create a drawing or painting inspired by the photograph.

The photograph of the vintage café tables reminded me of a Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph of two lovers at a café table.  If you don't know his work, check him out on Google - he lived from 1908 to 2004.


So although the inspiration was New York, this simple collage of three images was inspired by Paris.

I wrote the poem some time ago, when I first saw the photograph.  I used Derwent colour pencils (i.e., ordinary coloured pencils) for the drawing because I wanted gentle colours and a soft focus feel to the image.  I hope you enjoy it.


Hop over to the Collage Obsession site to see more interpretations of the theme.

11 comments:

  1. That's a very romantic poem and drawing you did, Jez. Your daughter's photograph is beautiful too, and it was very thoughtful of her to give you a journal filled with original inspirational photographs. That's truly going to be a family heirloom, once you add your artwork and/or poetry to it. I hope you get to share more with us. Blessings!

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    1. Thank you Arnoldo for your thoughtful comment.

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  2. Marvellous take on the cities theme, very clever. What a wonderful thoughtful present and an incentive to make art like this.

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  3. Jez, your daughter knows you so well, I think! The book with the photos is a great gift. Nice job on the theme.

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  4. Oh what a wonderfully creative unique gesture from your daughter!! So sweet!!! And your artwork and poem matched perfectly!! So much love in this post from beginning to end...very happy here today!! Thanks for sharing...

    Hugs Giggles

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  5. What a beautiful Poem Jez! So moving and a lovely take on the challenge. You are so right cities are more about people than buildings.

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  6. Wonderful and unique artwork great job!

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  7. Beautiful and nostalgic take on the theme, Jez...love it!

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  8. What an absolutely beautiful and thoughtful Christmas present. I just love your poem and art to go with that picture.

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