Wednesday, July 25, 2007

everybody needs a friend

Yes, I know, I'm feeling nauseous myself. This stylish, understated object was a souvenir from a trip to Annecy. The aim of the day was to find the tackiest piece of tat possible. I WIN!!! There is a lot of tat in Annecy as Felicity vouched for in her post on this beautiful town. This is a pot of beaver cocktail sticks. I don't know what the connection between beavers and Annecy is and, quite frankly, I don't think I want to know. This piece is hand finished in beautiful resin (the plastic kind). Charming, I'm sure you'll agree.

21 comments:

K said...

Charmant!

K said...

OK, so I should really say something intelligent, like, nice use of colour here, Andrea!! And incredible drawing!

suzanne cabrera said...

I love it! Wish I had my own.

By the way, love how you present this piece off-center.

Unknown said...

Technically: brilliant as always

Subject: dear God,you most definitely win!

"beaver cocktail sticks"
*has fits*

Anonymous said...

I know you don't want to know the connection, but i think it's because Annecy is surrounded by areas where the "marmotte" lives (i.e. the Alps). My cousin and i once bought a stuffed marmotte - yeah, that's beaver in French - around that area. Equally tacky.
Love the drawing -- and the fact you even kept this lovely piece of memorabilia :-)
Made in China, right??!!

Tracy said...

the drawing itself is wonderful - i love those little beaver faces. and i love a tacky souvenir as much as the next person. but who knew....beavers on a stick. lol
i need to do some more travelin

Gillian Mowbray said...

I love it and I love the fact that you've made such a work of art from it.
I'm intrigued by the Bob Ross label though, LOL.

dibujandoarte said...

What else can I add? I love the drawing. A true Joseph!

juj said...

Bravo! Only you could accomplish making a cheap tacky plastic souvenier into art. How DO you do it?

Unknown said...

Sometimes a tacky piece of tat has the luck of taking the attention of somebody like you and becomes the muse of a piece of art. (After looking at your drawing maybe I should like the piece)

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks everyone!

I must admit to LOVING kitsch tat really. I just can't get enough of it! This is a piece I'm particularly fond of.

France, you know, I'm sure we stayed in some B&B or hotel called Marmotte. It's all making sense now. And yep, I would put money on this being Made In China!

Gillian, I had Bob Ross on my mind throughout this picture (I often do though!). I think it was those mountains - that was why I called it 'everybody needs a friend'; one of his favourite sayings. Aaaaaw, I still miss him.

Cheers guys!

Africantapestry and Myfrenchkitchen said...

In your hands, it becomes an object of charm. enjoy your piece of memorabilia
Ronell

MILLY said...

Great drawing , subject interesting! . I have been inspired by you to buy some sepia drawing pens.Usually work in black.
Thanks for your good wishes, it is on until 27th August ,if you do come let me know. Eileen

Gillian Mowbray said...

Andrea, I'm sure you could get help for your Bob Ross infatuation. You're away up in the happy little clouds. LOL.

BTW, yes - I am on Flickr - but only recently. xxx

Felicity Grace said...

Andrea, this is wonderful!! Definitely beats anything I saw that day! Hand finished - I love that. By some poor person working near a conveyor belt probably! When I see tat (there is so much of it these days) I can't help wondering about the factories they came from, I'd love to visit one!

BTW, is Bob Ross that guy that does oil painting demos on TV. If he's the one I'm thinking of then...OMG!!

Anonymous said...

I collected snowglobes (until last year when with over 300 they threatened to take over the apt). My only requirement was that they be the cheapest and tackiest.

And in your hands these tacky little beaver sticks are so charming and become so much more when you draw them.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks guys!

Felicity, I have the same concerns about the factories that this kind of junk comes from. I don't think I'd like to visit one though - although it might make me think twice about buying stuff.

Oh and yes! that is the exact Bob Ross. There's only one Bob Ross and I LOVED that man. Unfortuanetly he passed away some time ago. I was devastated (as a lot of people were)to find he was no longer with us. I don't mind admitting that I cried. I've been meaning to do a post about him for some time - it's just coming up with the right drawing! This could have been it!!

Janey, 300 snowglobes!!! Now that's impressive.I'd love to see your place! Sounds Fab.

Cheers everyone.

Teri said...

It certainly is charming Andrea! You just make everything wonderful!

mrana said...

Oh my ... but it's so BEAUTIFULLY drawn, you've turned it into something quite precious.

Anonymous said...

Beaver cocktail sticks? Ok. The drawing itself is incredible as always. I love your work. I gotta say, though, that no matter h0ow tacky anything is, you do it wonderfully.

andrea joseph's sketchblog said...

Thanks guys!