Friday, September 21, 2012

wood slice paintings


My father was a collector of many things, and my favorite was his wood slice paintings. They remind me of him and of California, where I used to live. (Some of you may remember, I wrote a bit about them here.)


Some were made for tourists  in the 1940's and 50's, when the development of interstate highways and motels made road trips a favorite American past-time. Most are from the western states.

Cabins and lakes were a favorite subject. This one is pretty typical.


Many are of mountains.
I inherited my Dad's collection and have hung most of them in our Catskills house.

The oldest ones I have are of the Cliff House in San Francisco. 

They are probably from the late 19th century.


I've sold a few on Etsy, and through there met a collector, E.G., who loves them as much as my Dad did. This is a picture of the oldest one in his collection--it's from 1895, and it is a beauty.


From unknown Arkansas historical collection.
E.G. sent me this picture from a World War II Japanese internment camp--they are sawing a log to make wood slices for paintings. Seeing it added a new dimension to the paintings for me.

There's not much information about them, even on the internet, but E.G. hopes to write a book about them. He was told they were a German tradition from the Black Forest, where they are known for elaborate carved plaques. He is a photographer, so could take pictures for the book.


Desert paintings are rare. Here is a desert painting from E.G.'s collection.

My Dad only had one of the desert.

 Some look like they were done by Sunday painters, not for tourists.



I view them as folk art.


 They are sweet little slices of history. Souvenirs, memories...

 I have had so much trouble with the new templates (see Comments), I've reverted to the old one. Sorry for any frustration this may have caused!

Hope you have a great weekend--I will be cleaning out the store.

Jen
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30 comments:

  1. rachelSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    How interesting! I knew nothing of wood slice paintings before this post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:21 PM

      I never see them on the East Coast--they seem to be very regional.

      Delete
  2. Jane and Lance HattattSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:57 AM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:11 AM

      I am delighted that you appreciate them. Have you seen any in your travels in Europe? I never see them on the East Coast.

      Delete
    2. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:19 AM

      Oh no! Your comment showed up twice and when I went to delete one of them, it deleted both. I am so sad that your comment is gone. Maybe this new template is not a good idea.

      Delete
  3. Jane and Lance HattattSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:59 AM

    Hello Jen [again]:
    You can see our confusion with the new layout as our comment has appeared twice. We have no idea why and certainly onlr pressed 'publish' once!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:13 AM

      I only see the comment once, and am so sorry for the confusion! I am infatuated with these new designs. Please bear with me!

      Delete
    2. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:15 AM

      Oops, now I see the second one. I will delete one of them.

      Delete
    3. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:21 AM

      And when I deleted one, they both disappeared so now the thoughtful interesting post by the Hattatts is gone and I am frustrated with Blogger. I wish I had never change. I feel like the time I impulsively got a major haircut and then regretted it.

      Delete
  4. AshlingSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Fascinating to know some of the history. Love those woods and mountain ones; perfect for hanging in your Catskills house. I hope cleaning out the store gives you more smiles than not...

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    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:19 PM

      They really are perfect for the Catskills, although our house is a contemporary, I like to pretend it's a cabin. :)

      Delete
  5. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ParnassusSeptember 21, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    Hi Jen, Those wood slices were from the day when souvenirs actually had some local connection and interest, and in general those are my favorites. I have a souvenir California redwood logging truck in which the twigs of redwood assume huge proportions on the small model truck.
    --Road to Parnassus

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:18 PM

      That is a great way to look at them--and the fact that they were not mass-produced, but were painted individually, makes them special.

      I would love to see a picture of your truck!

      Delete
  7. Jane and Lance HattattSeptember 21, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Hello Jen [again]:
    This is a most fascinating post on account of the extremely unusual subject matter which, for ourselves, we have never come across before now. We are indeed envious of your collection. Yes, we should certainly also regard these as 'Folk Art' but that is in no way to denigrate them for they are representative of something which, sadly, has most likely disappeared for ever and are, in any case, of great historical value for the way in which they most assuredly are period pieces. Your own collection, and that of EG, with whom by happy coincidence you are in touch, are, we feel, of great interest.

    The photograph of the Japanese prisoners sawing wood adds a further dimension to this whole post.

    We have a workbox, inherited, made by German Prisoners of War who were encamped in Britain prior to their repatriation in the years after the war.

    Thank you so much for your email, Jen, regarding the disappearing comments. It was kind of you to take the time and trouble to write. We shall now cross our fingers and press publish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:27 PM

      I am afraid to touch this, for fear something crazy will happen, but I am holding my breath that now that I have reverted to Old Faithful, all will be well.

      Thanks so much for coming back to comment again. It was great fun to "meet" EG. I think he and my father were kindred spirits.

      I hope you will show us a picture of your work box. When I was in Washington D.C. a couple years ago I saw an exhibit of art and crafts made by in the Japanese internment camps here.

      Delete
  8. MadeliefSeptember 21, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    They look just lovely Jen!

    Happy weekend,

    Madelief x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      Glad you enjoyed them. Hope you have a happy weekend too.

      Delete
  9. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    oh no, I just noticed you changed your blog header... don't know what to say. it is a little sad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:19 PM

      I probably wouldn't have changed it so quickly, except I was having my fling with those fancy templates. Now it would be weird to change it back, though I do kind of miss it.

      Delete
    2. JenSeptember 22, 2012 at 8:38 AM

      Changed it back.
      I am making this a very messy Comments session...

      Delete
    3. AnonymousSeptember 22, 2012 at 9:02 AM

      ha, who cares. I like that it's back :)

      Delete
  10. AnneSeptember 21, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    They are beautiful Jen.Happy Fall!

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Rich post! I never thought much about these, but now I'll look for them in my travels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:20 PM

      Can you believe I've never found any on the east coast?

      Delete
  12. haricotSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:45 AM

    Thank you for this post and having introduced regarding to Japanese scenary. Here in Japan I have not found such sort of art and they are so bieautiful and interesting, using natural materials for depicting natural scenes.

    ReplyDelete
  13. erleichdaSeptember 22, 2012 at 11:07 AM

    Hi Jen!
    I see them too as folk art
    they are wonderful. Each one with it's own little story, each one unique

    Hoping you are enjoying a lovely weekend : )

    ReplyDelete
  14. AmeliaSeptember 23, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    Hi Jen, these are a treasure. I remember when you wrote about them before--love the Cliff House one. Just got back and caught up with all of your posts so I'll make one (long) comment here. Just cause you closed the store doesn't mean you've lost your narrative. You are the store, the store isn't you, if that makes any sense. I had to laugh at the "italian garden" comment--it reminded me of this silly but funny Rodney Dangerfield movie, forgot the name.

    ReplyDelete
  15. chasing lightning bugsSeptember 24, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    oh, i really love these. it's amazing that the bark has stayed in tact and attached all these years. these remind me of antique shops we would go to when i was a child. you are so fortunate to have something from your father that he loved so much. you must feel wonderfully close to him when you look at them.

    ReplyDelete

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