This is my Anzac Day ATC (Artist Trading Card) for this year. For more about Anzac Day, see yesterday's post. I've used an acetate overlay to convey depth and meaning to my cards. I keep coming back to this WW1 theme because of my grandfather's involvement. This stamp was an amazing find because it tapped deep into my interest, and as I have a couple of the typical cards soldiers sent home with "My Dear Mother" sentiments. As a mother it makes me think about love, loss, men and war a lot.
Two years ago my Anzac Day post was a tribute to my grandfather, who was at Gallipoli, and the Western Front in France.
I made the card below, featuring a photo of my grandfather, who survived unscathed, unlike many of his colleagues, who were either damaged and fractured, or slaughtered (the images behind him). Featured are copies of woven postcards he sent his mother (the card reads "My Dear Mother") and a photo of a poppy I took in the Somme area of France in 2003.
Later, I made this one, My Dear Mother, which is a tribute to the relationships expressed in the letters sent home, between sons and their families, especially their mothers:
Over the past several years I spent many hours researching the activities of my grandfather during that war, starting with several letters which he sent from Egypt and France, but mainly using the magnificent collections of the Australian War Memorial and Australian Archives. Last year I got his story up on the web. He was an artillery driver, meaning he was in charge of teams of horses dragging the artillery to the artillery lines. You can read about his story, and the significant battles in the Somme and Flanders, as well as Gallipoli at this site - Percy Smith, Anzac.
Here's a picture of my grandfather an grandmother on their wedding day. My existence is thanks to the fact that, along with a mere 7 000 others, my grandad survived both Gallipoli and France to be able to come home to be the gentle, peace-loving, war-hating man he was.
Wow, nice work on these cards, Sally. You have a special place in your heart for your grandfather. It is nice to see relatives being remembered. I have one daughter who goes nuts making cards. She is 51.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative way to keep your grandad's memory alive. I bet he knows it, too...
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do with your exquisite cards? Do you sell them?
Mostly the cards I make now are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)and it is dishonourable to sell them....they are for swapping and trading with other makers. They are 3.5 x 5.5 inches (69 x 89 mm)exactly and can be any medium.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful cards, Sally. And what a touching way to remember your grandfather. Just most moved by your post.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for your comment on Monte Carlo - I needed someone to say i'd done the right thing! Thanks.
Sally, your cards are incredible and your post is very moving. Your grandparents' wedding photo is lovely and even though this is about your Grandfather, I think your Grandmother looks beautiful. I so love her shoes which would have been hand made.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how incredibly artistic some of the DP bloggers are - Lynn for example and Dive too and now you. I've come across others, makers of jewels and soaps and mosaics and music. It's quite a humbling experience.
This brought tears to my eyes. It reminds me of my grandfather and his wartime stories. Completely different than your story, but still the effects of war are not good!
ReplyDeleteWonderful and moving post Sally !!! I must admit I didn't know the meaning of "Anzac day". If you have a chance and if you understand italian (as I think) give a look on Wikipedia. I loved how in few lines they pictured the meaning and the value.
ReplyDeleteI also would like to thank you very much indeed about your post on my blog yesterday. I noticed in fact that when photos are related to the history or to the politic, people, usually keep off. That's sad.
P.S. I have no doubt about the pretentious and over-the-top rhetorical letter you received from Berlusconi staff. This is the only thing they are able to do: words. Words and crimes.
P.P.S. With your permission I would like to mention in my other blog you and that (funny) letter you received. May I?
ReplyDeleteSally, seeing your grandfather's wedding photo really made me think about the odds against survival that he faced in those tragic times. I can only imagine how his experiences in the war must have influenced the man he was for the rest of his life. Thanks for sharing that.
ReplyDeleteSally - these cards are truly beautiful and a lovely dedication to your grandfather. I found this and yesterday's post moving and very informative.
ReplyDeleteThanks you also for commenting on my site; I have just returned from a weekend away and am starting to catch up.