My Great Grandfather Nicholas

Here's another picture that I probably made at the same time as the one with me and my sister below. This one , also yellowed, is harder to see because the original picture was already very old when I photocopied it in my youth. My great grandfather was also in old age in this picture.

My great grandfather was an artist and sculptor. He lived in Tula, Russia.Tula is the wrought iron factory town outside of Moscow. They made their canons there, and their samovars. For those who may not know, a samovar is for making tea. It is made out of some kind of metal-  brass, silver, etc.  - In the center is a cylinder where you put coals to heat the water. There is a 'spicket' to turn the very hot water off and on. You will now see plug -in samovars  all over Russia. The Russians love their tea. 

Does anyone own a samovar? I'll try to post pictures of the ones I have. One is very old and beautiful. It was my Mom's and resides in my dining room. I have three, so that I can bequeath one to each child. Seeing how our children love vintage items and antiques, I'm sure that they would all enjoy the oldest. But  all three of our samovars have some age and are beautiful in and of themselves.

Lydia and Nina-Childhood Artwork

Ok. So this is a very early picture of my sister, Nina, and me, that I made years ago. I'm the cuter one on the right. (Sorry Nina, my blog:) Te-He). Also the baby of the family. You can see that the shellac has yellowed with time.

I would glue photocopies onto painted cardboard, cork,  or other items, and make stands for them, or hang- mostly on the walls of the stairs going down to our basement, or give as gifts.This one had a stand which has since broken off. I just found it in something the other day.

 Often, I would collage a number of photos. I would then go down to my Dad's office, which also doubled as the workroom in the basement, and shellac over the picture or collage. I might also go outside , or in the garage to apply the stinky stuff. But, for quickies, yes, I used those chemical applicants in my basement, hoping that the smell wouldn't give me away. As long as I put back in its proper place what I had removed, I was able to use almost anything there.

I would also go to my grandfather's house and scavenge wood, trim, or other items to work on yet another project. My grandfather, like so many people of his generation,  was a jack of all trades. He could always figure out a way to do something. He was always working on something, whether it be shoes, a frame, a decorative radiator cover, or whatever else was requested or he needed. 

 Do you  have any old artwork from your youth?