Creating always how elating that being the process of creating no matter what you create by definition at least to you it’s almost always possibly great. So go ahead and create, but if perhaps you should need a bit of inspiration to help you along in your endeavors here it is. Yes, here it is. What follows will either inspire you to create or inspire to never create but only you can decide by taking a ride through this exhibit.  So go forth and then you’ll know. Enjoy!

A Quick Begin

Bridge over creek with trees. Purchased at Pic `N Sav for one of the museum founder’s good friends to commemorate her birthday. In secret the recipient painstakingly painted this masterpiece and gave it back to the museum founder for her birthday. Certainly the definition of a great friendship plus an outstanding example of painted by numbers. We like everything about it except that it’s unsigned.

Poodle with flower basket. Also captured on black velvet by Juan, this simply too cute for words pup is no doubt greeting his owner with a basket of freshly picked red peonies. If you stare at him long enough you’ll swear you see his tail wagging.
Horse’s head. No doubt terrified by that famous scene in the Godfather, our horse’s head on black velvet by Landa is bridled and ready to ride.

Blue Boy and Pinkie. These classic paint by numbers portraits which are signed by Gary S. were purchased as a pair. Perhaps we paid too much ($ 20.00) but the frames were included. We feel the artist was able to capture the innocence that the original Gainsborough and Lawrence paintings evoked especially in his treatment of their faces. If you stare intently you’ll note Pinkie’s crossed eyes in particular. Perfect anywhere, this handsome pair currently hangs over our dressing table exhibit lending an air of romance and sophistication, don’t you think?

 Art in the Making

Art in the making.  Yes, you’ve already traveled through artworks and come to appreciate Gary S.’s Blue Boy paint by numbers and the unsigned Peacock mosaics; but now for the first time our museum offers you the chance to  go behind the scenes and take a look at how these were made.

Tiger Rag. Unexpected good luck struck at our favorite thrift store as it often does.  We discovered a mosaic kit from the same period as the peacocks.  Although for creating a tiger not a peacock, this kit still reveals the attention, persistence and detail involved in creating mosaic art.  As this never before opened blue and green oblong box proclaims; this is “a fun mosaic project from decor-accent, designer panels” located at 4060 W. Century Blvd. Inglewood, California.  More specifically again from the box, “It’s easy to create this work of art.  Kit contains pre-numbered design on richly textured panel with fine grained frame, detailed instructions, sparkling glass ‘gems,’ braids, colorful pebbles, and all other necessary material to work with.” Wow!  We had to peek inside immediately.

Within we found a black and white template of our tiger playing a fiddle, four different colored pebbles, dark brown, light green, yellow and orange (four of our most favorite colors), three colors of braid, black, gold and white, a container of somewhat hardened white glue and two unfinished wooden side frames.  We estimated with between 12-15 hours of uninterrupted labor these materials could be transformed into a truly smashing Tiger Rag. If we can find a willing and qualified artist, we will have him/her make the tiger and photograph each painstaking step.  Applications can be mailed in , faxed or e-mailed.  Please do not arrive in person as the museum may not be open.  In the meantime, we’ll have to be content with our imagination.

Speed Tufting Tool.  Why would anyone want one of these?  And if you found one in your possession what would you do with it?  Before we solve this mystery let us caution you that this tool looks highly dangerous and should not be used by anyone other than a trained professional tufter.  Just holding it for the photograph was scary enough.  We have no idea how it works and aren’t brave enough to discover its secrets and why it’s so speedy.

Tufting design.  Using the tufting tool you just read about you can create an oval rug.  It’s really quite simple if you know what you’re doing and are infinitely patient and let’s face it have nothing better to do.  By tufting areas A-H using a total of 13 skeins of rug yarn, in no time at all, perhaps by the next millennium you’ll have a 23”x38” oval rug in pretty pink/rose or yellow/gold depending on your color choice.

American Beauty.  The picture speaks for itself.  Surely too beautiful to be placed underfoot, it would make an exquisite wall hanging.  Copyrighted in 1976, we wonder if anyone has finished this kit.  If you have please inspire us with your accomplishment.

Blue Boy.  Even more amazing, hidden under a table and out of sight was a never opened, vintage 1969, Craft Master paint by numbers kit for Gainsborough’s Blue Boy manufactured in Toledo, Ohio.  Aghast, we caught our breath, avoided hyperventilating in our excitement and pinched ourselves.  Not a dream, a reality.  Opening this box was however, quite scary.  We had no idea of the complexity involved and wish we could meet Gary S. so we could find out what kind of person would create not one but two paint by numbers of the classics.

Failing eyesight would do us in.  So many very, very small, in fact teeny, tiny little sections in which to dot one of the 50 different numbered colors!  Plus, we were further intimidated by the idea of trying to recapture Gainsborough’s Blue Boy that shows the artist’s “genius for expressing aristocratic elegance on canvas through balanced tones and purity in color.”  Perhaps we could entice an exnobleman or dethroned royal to take a crack at painting this masterpiece.

Craft Master, master ordering list.  Another fabulous surprise.  The complete array of paint by numbers available in 1969.  Highlights include The Last Supper for $5.00 with 45 colors, and several different black velvet kits including playful colt, ebb tide, flower girl and hobo the clown at $3.00 each.  Bridge over creek which is part of our art collection was not included here. What a glaring oversight.

Do you have art talent worth developing?  Tucked in with Blue Boy was a pamphlet from Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut promising a brilliant career in art if you can pass their free test.  Just fill out the enclosed postcard and mail it in today for your free, that’s right free, Famous Artists Talent Test which reveals “your sense of design, your imagination, your natural aptitude for art.”  No fly by night organization, their distinguished guiding faculty includes: Norman Rockwell, Al Kapp, Rube Goldberg and 30 unknown to us artists and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission National Home Study Council.  Did anyone ever fail the test?  We think not but are unwilling to take it ourselves.  If you just must take this test and prove to yourself once and for all that you have the stuff of an artist plus are unbelievably gullible, feel free to write to Famous Artists School, Studio A-5974, Westport, Connecticut 06880 and request your free in-home test, that is if Famous Artist School is still around.

Chicken Boy Sings

A Night Out.  Rivaling the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys and the Grammies and in fact nominated for all of the above, our museum takes pride in presenting “A Night to Remember.” For the first and most likely last time ever, gathered in one fabulous venue at the Abalone Bowl we present a never together before ensemble of the world’s finest musicians.  Impossible-to-get tickets are yours gratis of MONA LISA.  So please join us front and center for the concert of a lifetime.

Providing unique and whimsical transportation plus the best seats in the house, we present Mr. Toad and the Fearless Warrior.  These unique shell sculptures were discovered sitting side by side together in a local thrift store and have never been separated.  They have a cooperative and successful working relationship as well as a deep respect for one another.  We have promised them they will be together forever.  We’ll ride in on the toad and you can hitch with the warrior in his chariot.

Toad driving cart.  This happy go lucky traveler brings back fond childhood memories of Mr. Toad’s wild ride from Wind in the Willows, but don’t worry this toad is one careful driver unlike Mr. Toad.  His trunk even opens for curio storage no doubt and comfortably seats adoring fans as well.  Joining Mr. Toad is a turtle carrying an animal of unknown species on his back.  Noting the red eyes, we wonder if he consumed too many margaritas at the tailgate pre party .

Abalone shell trivet circa 1969.  Encased in last forever resin these twenty glistening abalone shells nestled on a aquamarine background make for a truly inspired trivet, a perfect place for the toad to stop as you watch the show.

Warrior driving small green toad in pink toy airplane.  We must be honest here.  Originally the warrior was piloting a chariot manned by seahorses.  But evidently and we didn’t know this, golden retrievers find the shells of seahorses quite tasty, or at least the museum’s pet did, and finished off the seahorses.  We substituted the green toad in his pink plane.  He was thrilled but the warrior is still in mourning as his hanging head attests.  However, it’s still a spectacular ride to the bowl.  Don’t you agree?

Frogs playing Bahama Mama Sound.  As you approach the bowl you are caught by surprise as the melodic sounds of the Bahama Band create a tropical atmosphere.  A talented ensemble of the best frogs in the business they can even play your requests!  This piece which was purchased in the Cayman Islands has been dropped, shattered and then reglued countless times.  Well worth the effort, don’t you think?

Piano with revolving, color changing lighted globe.  The opening act is about to begin.  It’s none other than that accomplished pianist Gumby and his bodyguard Pokey playing accompaniment as diva in red (could this be a shell depiction of Madonna?) belts out a few choruses of Material Girl.  A few words about this unique piano are in order.  Not only does the clear globe light up and revolve, but by hitting a piano key you can hear the sensuous sounds of more than a dozen of your favorite classic tunes, including My Darling Clementine, London Bridge is Falling Down, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Lullaby and Good Night or simply Happy Birthday. Where you might ask would such a real treasure come from?  Kudos to two dear friends for locating thisunbelievable example of form meeting beauty in Tijuana, Mexico and presenting it to a museum founder as an unforgettable birthday present.

The big show.  As the curtain opens and the empty stage is illuminated, the crowd twitters with excitement as they breathlessly await the arrival of the man of the evening.  Heads turn as our featured act appears bathed in flashing colored lights.  As he reaches the stage, he turns dramatically, sneering, wiggling his hips and breaking into “Loving You.”  Yes, it’s true.  Looking larger than life, currently in the spotlight, just out of rehab, and “appearing at the Abalone Bowl” for one night only is that internationally acclaimed multi-talented entertainer Chicken Boy as Elvis.  Does he look good in his white jump suit or what?  Excuse us we think we’re going to faint.

Peacocks Abound

Peacocks Abound. Unique, colorful, simply sartorial our peacocks captured by unknown artists feature a variety of mediums including the magic of black velvet, sparkling stones, beads, shells and more shells and jigsaw puzzle configuration.  No doubt on NBC’s must see list, our peacocks remain the private property of MONA LISA and any attempt to reproduce them will be greeted with the harshest legal ramifications unless there’s lots of money involved and then who knows we might be willing to deal.

Peacock mosaic I.  A very tall peacock.  Although mosaics of this period often are just too derivative, in this case the artist shows a truly unique flair especially in his/her choice of materials, especially his/her use of gold for the wings.  Although abstract can’t you almost hear the annoying cry of the peacock as you stare at this masterpiece?

Peacock mosaic II.  On black velvet, dazzling in red, green, yellow and gray sparkling stones, highlighted and outlined with gold ribbon string, this was found in a dusty bin and begged us to take it home and place it next to peacock I.  As reunification is a big theme and the price was right and it was on black velvet, we hesitated not a moment to join together these long lost birds.

Pair of peacocks. Flanking our velvet peacock, are two painted metal full feathered friends each adorned with enough glitter to dazzle and temporary blind the on looker.  Citing a bad feather day one of our pair refused to be photographed thus missing his 15 minutes of fame.

Peacock puzzle art.  Normally puzzle art wouldn’t get a second look, but given it’s a peacock and is big and is ugly and can be hung, well we relented and included this piece as a part of homage to peacock.  Mounted on plywood with a wire attached for hanging, this Hallmark jigsaw puzzle features a peacock in full plumage with well lover 40 tail feathers extended in a graceful arc; wings outstretched to shield and protect his two offspring who in reverence and awe stare upward at their oh so regal dad.  A perfect Father’s day present for that one of a kind dad.

Shell Peacock on orange background.  Truly the centerpiece of our peacocks on parade, when we first laid eyes on this extravaganza, it practically jumped off the wall and shrieked “take me home.”  Although smitten, its intricate detail and huge size were off putting because these qualities suggested a big price tag and after all we’re on a budget of sorts.  Not to worry, relatively speaking it was cheap, at $20.00 including the frame.  As with so many other museum items, we marvel at the patience required to create a peacock out of hundreds if not thousands of individually glued on shells.  The variety of type, shape and color is mind boggling.  When time permits languish over this one.

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