Friday, March 5, 2010

Illustration Friday ~ BRAVE


This week at Illustration Friday the prompt is BRAVE. Living your life on your own terms, in your own way, sometimes requires bravery.

This collage, entitled "Live Your Life," was made with an original vintage high school graduation photo. I found this photo, and many others, at a shop for used books in a basket marked "collage fodder." I knew I needed to "rescue" these discarded images and give them new life. So, the photos of Doris and her classmates have been used in many collages, each given a story of their own.

I'm sure these ladies, from the Class of 1927, lived their lives with class, grace and bravery.

Collage available in my Etsy shop.

© Nancy Lefko

25 comments:

Ginger*:) said...

As usual you have created something memorable and very touching. The thought of that photo being found and honored in one of your collages is extremely special. It makes you think about the lives of those people whose photos have been discarded... and now found and put to such beautiful use.

Dianne said...

Doris is lovely... and I love the theme of living your life...

Claudia Horsey said...

I love it! this is so sweet Nancy, and I'm glad you rescue these ladies. They have a better life now, thanks to you!

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely awesome!!!!!!

valerie walsh said...

WOW! this is so beautiful and touching! I love this idea and we are so lucky compared to the dames that came before us! We forget sometimes all the sacrifices the women that proceeded us and this is a nice reminder ;)

Artsnark said...

fantastic sentiment & piece

Midwestie Lady - Linda said...

I'm so glad you rescued Doris and her friends, and that you shared your story about them. Beautiful piece to honor her and being brave.

Unknown said...

oh what a wonderful piece Nancy!!! this is stunning and a wonderful way to pay tribute to these amazing women!!!

Hugs
Diana

Jan J. said...

This is just a beautiful collage - your color sense and composition are always so great! It is also amazing how such a simple phrase can be so inspiring. I remember 13 years ago when I decided to become a single mother by adopting a baby from China. My older married sisters were so against it and I had no support and almost just quit but then I realized it was MY life and MY dream and I went for it and changed my life from black and white to glowing, vivid, living color! I think I need to do a collage with that message - love it!

Sueann said...

I am glad you rescued the photos...beautiful collage!!
Hugs
SueAnn

FHNavarro said...

Great collage!!

Faruffa said...

so so beautiful!!!

Susan said...

Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your kind comments. I'm glad you found me, I've enjoyed looking at your beautiful collages, they are gorgeous! I love vintage photos too, and I'm blown away by the creative way you integrate them in your art to give them a whole new life.

Cheers! Susan

D. Lindsey said...

Hi Nancy, thanks for the visit! Really lovely vintage take on the IF challenge! :)

cathyjune said...

What a lovely piece! It gives the viewer a lot to ponder.

Kirsten said...

This is beautiful! Wouldn't it be wonderful if the children or grandchildren of this lovely lady were able to see this picture?

Amy C said...

wonderful piece, such pretty textures and muted colors.

Anonymous said...

Great collage. Love the message.

Heather said...

hi, thank you for visiting my blog. i love your collage work. I'm glad i found it.

Caroline said...

Very sweet! And hello, fellow Etsian. :)

Tumble Fish Studio said...

Hi Nancy! Doris and her friends could not have found a better person to rescue them nor give them such a pretty new life. If class and grace are what they are used to, they are in the right hands.

Indigene said...

You are indeed a collage Queen! I so love your work.

Teresa aka Tess said...

I love her hairdo and the long strand of pearls. The ticket was the perfect touch, and the buttons. Wonderful....

AscenderRisesAbove said...

enjoyed my visit here; still chuckling over the one about clothes not matching

Anonymous said...

This is lovely! I really like the combination of textures and typography in this :-)