(I made this mosaic in October 2007. Postcards are available. Send me an e-mail if you want one.)
I've been waiting all afternoon for the Elmer's glue to dry on my mosaic so that I could take a digital photo to post. Patience is not my strong suit, as my regular readers know, and one of my friends has been sending me regular e-mails, "Is it dry yet? Is it dry yet?"
The mosaic, made completely of M&Ms, with a few red vines for outlines, is titled: What I See in the Mirror Every Morning (And It Ain't Pretty)
The most difficult artistic challenge was to make sure as many of the M&Ms as possible were right side up, to give Mars Inc. which makes the pink M&Ms, the most exposure possible.
Support this blog:
@ Jeanne Sather 2007.
Mmmm-mmm. You make those probably carcinogenic coal-tar-based FD&C food colors look good!
Excellent job. I say you lacquer it and sell it to defray your medical costs.
Posted by: Sara | October 11, 2007 at 06:12 PM
This is beautiful and the best use of pink M&Ms I've seen to date! It reminds me of a mosaic you'd see in an old Roman spa...it is a definite political statement, but also a lovely piece of art that is a tribute to women in general...a reminder that every body -- big, small, two-breasted, one-breasted or no-breasted, is beautiful. I hope you shellac it to save it for posterity and also because there is something slightly sickening about the idea of eating breast-cancer-pink M&Ms! I LOVE this.
Posted by: Monica | October 11, 2007 at 06:19 PM
Excuse me; that's petroleum based, not coal-tar based. They used to be coal-tar derived, and are still called "coal tar dyes," but now they are derived from petroleum. (I just found that out.)
Posted by: Sara | October 11, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Thanks! I will shellac it (with low-fume shellac, if there is such a creature), but I'm going to try to give it to the head of Mars, M&Ms' parent company.
I'm sure he will refuse to accept my gift/political statement, and in that case it will join BC Barbie on my Wall of Shame.
Posted by: jeanne | October 11, 2007 at 06:59 PM
I just got an e-mail from a woman asking if I REALLY look at myself in the mirror.
She says she doesn't. Apparently, she stands in front of the mirror so she can only see half of her torso, the half with a breast. This makes me sad.
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne | October 12, 2007 at 10:16 AM
That is very, very sad. I am very sorry to hear that.
I make my leg stump do tricks in the mirror for my own amusement. I begin to suspect that I may be abnormal.
**FREE ADVICE WARNING**
What follows is me trying to be helpful.
There are two instances.
1. Consider wearing a ventilator (rubber mask from the hardware store) with filters rated for fumes when you coat this project, no matter what you use as a preserver. (See example here: http://movingrightalong.typepad.com/moving_right_along/2007/05/so_what_do_you_.html )
2. The physical transfer of a work of art by gift or sale does not imply transfer of copyright. Unless s/he sells or licenses said rights, the artist retains these rights for his/her lifetime, as well as the right to request temporary physical custody of the artwork for special events such as exhibits. Best to include a note that you mean to keep these rights when you make a gift of artwork to an institution. Meanwhile, before physical transfer of said artwork, you may wish to consider shooting or having a professional shoot slides of the work in question. All sorts of things can be made from slides, including but not limited to limited edition prints, posters, silkscreened T-shirts, etc., and I'm thinking this is the kind of image that has real potential for mass popularity (in other words, profit). Or, heck, it could make a great book cover.
**END FREE ADVICE**
Posted by: Sara | October 12, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Sara--this is great. Art advice doesn't bother me, just for the record, because you are a professional and I'm not. Also, I have no sensitive places on my soul related to my art that can be bruised--or at least, I haven't found them yet.
I am thinking of making post cards from the mosaic. I thought my own digital shot would be good enough for this, but maybe I should have a pro shoot it.
And my "gift" of the mosaic to the president of M&Ms/Mars will include the disclaimers you list. Thanks!
Jeanne
Posted by: jeanne | October 12, 2007 at 02:22 PM
Melts in your mouth - not in your hand.
Good luck! I hope that the powers that be get your message.
Posted by: sis #2 | October 12, 2007 at 02:34 PM
This looks amazing!
Posted by: Jordan | October 16, 2007 at 01:59 PM
Brilliant, Jeanne!
My Rose lost her battle with cancer but she never lost her intelligence, wit or fighting spirit. I see a lot of her in you.
rosesosteosarcoma.blogspot.com
Posted by: Barry | October 16, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Jeanne,
This is too good to give away! But if you must - I second Sara's suggestion of taking LOTS of photos. It would, indeed, make a great book cover.
Posted by: laurie | October 17, 2007 at 08:29 AM
Well, I'm going to OFFER it to the president of Mars/M&Ms, but I doubt he will accept it. And I'm going to make postcards using the photo of the mosaic.
Posted by: jeanne | October 17, 2007 at 09:00 AM
Hi, I heard about you from my classmate and I am now checking the website b/c my instructor didn't know that you are the relative of one of our fellow student. I am looking froward to read your main page!
Posted by: TMat | November 28, 2007 at 01:35 AM