Thursday, September 15, 2016

Found Bones

I've been working a bit manically lately. Grabbing this, gluing it to that, adding a dash of such-and-such. Last night I had my way with this shadowbox tray from 7 Gypsies, deciding to FINALLY do something with the fat jar of bones I've been collecting.

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

We dig up and find a lot of bones on the property. It used to be farm land so we get a few cow bits here and there. We also live in an area with loads of wild life and nature does take it's course.

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

A number of these bones were found on Gull Island. It's a strangely magical place with bones and holed stones, and rare birds.

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

I didn't do much to the base shadowbox, preferring to let the bones sing for themselves. The pages that provide the backdrop are from hymnals from around 1900-ish. I used THIS Fast Finish Decoupage adhesive from Beacon. It darkened the pages significantly, I didn't mind and darkened them even further, but it's something to keep in mind if you decide to try it yourself.

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

I find myself on a bit of kick, wanting to get beloved stuff out of my stash, to use it and celebrate  it and appreciate it and show it off. Fat lot of good it does sitting in a box or jar. Am I right?

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

That's sort of the story with these bones. I've picked them up because I saw value and beauty in them... and then they sat in a pile, and that's just not good enough.

Maybe I'm feeling a bit like that too. Tucked away. Hidden beneath a pile. And I'm trying to climb my way up and out. And some days that's really hard, but I keep trying. 

Found Bones - Nichola Battilana

I suppose I find comfort in these bones. They are mementos of strength and delicacy all at once. Reminders that we're all built from the same strange magic.


7 comments:

  1. I find this so peaceful and calming - and lovely. (I never trust those collage glues LOL - I stick with Golden gel medium - can't go wrong!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are so freaken weird and I love it. Your post makes me wonder why I never find any bones of creatures. No bird bones, no chipmunk bones, no nothen. Very interesting post, Nichola.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amazing. I have never come across real bones and don't know how I feel about this project.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow! Simply amazing project and a fantastic way to show case your collection of bones. I don't think I've ever found a bone as I live at the beach so shells it is. You have been coming up with the most fantastic projects...on a roll.

    ReplyDelete
  5. As a fellow collector with bone jars of my own I thank you for the wonderful inspiration! The jars don't do justice to the exquisite beauty of the bones but this collage certainly does. It's simply breath taking :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nichola, you truly did an amazing job with your collection! You have inspired me to get mine out of the drawer and do something with them! Beautiful work! xo

    ReplyDelete