• About
  • Archer Paranormal Investigations (API)
  • Contact
  • Equipment
    • Go-To Tools
  • Media
  • The Haunted Librarian Show

The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Category Archives: Artwork

Tomie dePaola Has Died

31 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, R.I.P.

≈ Comments Off on Tomie dePaola Has Died

Beloved children’s author/illustrator Tomie dePaola died Monday at the age of 85. The cause was complications from surgery stemming from a bad fall he took last week. In addition to his books, Tomie was an accomplished artist.

  1. Tomie knew at the age of 4 he wanted to be an artist. Tomie held several degrees: a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn; an MFA from California College of Arts; and the doctoral equivalency in fine arts from Lone Mountain College.
  2. Tomie lived for a short time in a priory.
  3. One of his most famous children’s book is Strega Nona (1975), which garnered Tomie a Caldecott Medal in 1976.
  4. He was the author and/or illustrator of over 270 books, selling over 15 million copies in over 20 languages.
  5. He purchased a portion of a property named Glengae in 1985. He renovated a 200-year-old barn to be his studio. His home was once described as “welcoming, vibrant and magical.”

He was born Thomas Anthony dePaola September 15, 1934. A relative suggested he spell his name “Tomie” to stand out from the crowd. He died on March 30, 2020.

For more information, visit tomie.com.

Vincent van Gogh Painting Stolen Amid COVID-19 Closings

31 Tuesday Mar 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Art Crimes, Artists, Artwork, Not Haunted--But Cool

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

COVID-19, Groninger Museum, Singer Laren Muesum, The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884, Vincent van Gogh

Sunday night (and birth anniversary of Vincent van Gogh), The Singer Laren museum experienced a smash and grab. The museum was closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The art thieves entered through a large glass window and made off with one of van Gogh’s oil paintings. Here are some facts about the master painter and his lesser-known piece:

  1. Dutch post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh (March 30, 1853-July 29-1890) tried several careers before settling on artist. He attempted to be an art dealer, like his brother; a schoolteacher; and a preacher.
  2. He was self-taught and began to paint seriously at the age of 27.
  3. He was an avid letter-writer. He exchanged over 600 letters with his brother, Theo.
  4. The stolen painting, The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring 1884, represented a time when he painted about everyday life. He uses a somber earth-tone palette.
  5. Colors played an important role in his paintings. His favorite color to use was yellow, representing emotional health. He used yellow for sunlight, life, and God in his work.
  6. Vincent suffered from mental illness. He committed suicide in 1890 by shooting himself in the chest. He survived 2 days but died from an infection.
  7. The stolen painting measure 10×22 inches and is done in oil. Over his lifetime, he created 2,100 artworks, of which 860 were oil paintings.
  8. The stolen painting was on loan from the Groninger Museum.
  9. American couple Willian and Anna Singer own the museum the painting was stolen from.
  10. One of Vincent’s famous quotes: “The sadness will last forever.”

Since his paintings do not come up for auction often and fetch millions of dollars, it is highly unlikely that we will see it in any auction house publications. Hopefully, it will not be hidden in some uber-rich family’s private collection—removed from the world to experience.

Abandoned Dollhouses: Collectibles for Adults

01 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Abandoned America, Artists, Artwork, Dollhouses

≈ Comments Off on Abandoned Dollhouses: Collectibles for Adults

Tags

Heather Benning, History of Dollhouses, Juli Steel

Assemblage artist Juli Steel creates miniature vignettes using upcycled materials. Her Instagram and Etsy shop theme: “Repurposed art with a twist.” Steel’s Instagram page TwistedCopperForest, https://www.instagram.com/twistedcopperforest/, has over 17,000 followers. Instead of the idyllic dollhouse, Steel’s creations explore the abandoned. Steel’s OOAK, one-of-a-kind, creations may be considered dark; however, they’re very popular. And she’s not the only one exploring this theme.

Canadian artist Heather Benning rebuilt an old farmhouse, removed one side of the building, and installed Plexiglas, thus creating a life-sized dollhouse. She debuted the art installation June 9, 2007. Left to the elements, the house burned down March 23, 2013.

Dollhouses and dollhouse accessories are big business. Peruse the online auction site Invaluable, https://www.invaluable.com/miniature-dollhouse-furniture/sc-JLQRF480JR/, and one can see how expensive the hobby may become. More affordable pieces may be purchased on Etsy. D. Thomas Fine Miniatures, https://www.dthomasfineminiatures.com/, is more than an online miniature shop. It offers an eclectic mix of objects for sale, as well as, articles on and about the industry—an industry that dates back to the late 1500s.

Early forms of the modern-day dollhouse were meant for adults. In the 17th century, “Nuremberg Kitchens” were used as educational devices to help young women learn how to keep house. The most well-known example is Petronella Oortman’s cabinet house (or “baby house”), which was detailed in the limited series The Miniaturist. The house was a large piece of furniture where rooms were replicated from the actual house. Only wealthy families could afford this extravagance. It wasn’t until World War II that dollhouses became toys for children.

Mass production of dollhouses and furniture became more affordable after the war. Production was cheaper by using plastic instead of wood for the furniture and plywood for the structures. The ratio of scale indicates the intended audience. Dollhouses and accessories for adults have the scale of 1:12, one inch to one foot. The scale for children’s toys is 1:18 generally; however, some scales are larger.

Collecting and furnishing dollhouses are a popular hobby. Artists like Steel are re-imagining dollhouses by breathing life into discarded dollhouses and furniture. The online bulletin board site Pinterest is flush with pages showcasing abandoned dollhouses. What may have started as Halloween decorations, these abandoned houses are unique and reflect our interest in all things haunted.

Nellie Mae Rowe’s Memory Head

03 Monday Feb 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, Memory Jugs

≈ Comments Off on Nellie Mae Rowe’s Memory Head

Tags

Two-Faced Head

The High Museum of Art (high.org) exhibits the artwork of Nellie Mae Rowe (1900-1982), an American self-taught artist from Georgia. One of ten children, Nellie fled the cotton fields to marry Ben Wheat. They relocated from Fayette County, Georgia to the Vinings, a small town located just outside Atlanta’s city limits. Nellie became a widow for the first time at the age of 36. She married the older widower, Henry “Buddy” Rowe. They built a 2-room cottage at 2041 Paces Ferry Road. Nellie became a widow for the 2nd time in 1948 at the age of 48. Nellie devoted the rest of her life creating art. One of her most remarkable pieces is Two-Faced Head (1980), a sculpture she created when she was close to death.

Memory jugs are funerary objects. Essentially, they memorialize the dead. Most are found in America. Although the origins is unclear, a growing number of experts believe the tradition came out of Central Africa. They are made with an ailing person’s hair and the like. They may also be adorned with items representing the person. Nellie’s father was a former slave who worked his own farm. Her mother was an accomplished quilter. Both would have passed on their African traditions to Nellie and her siblings.

After Buddy died, Nellie was able to turn her home into her studio. She named it the “Playhouse.” Here she made dolls, created yard art, and taught herself how to draw. She adorned her front yard with stuffed animals and art. Symbolism fills her works; Nellie was deeply religious.

Shortly after Nellie was diagnosed with skin cancer, she began Two-Faced Head (1980). She affixed gum she chewed to build the face. She added rhinestones, pearls, and ribbons. She poured herself into the piece, intending it to live on once she died.

Nellie realized fame before she died; her first solo exhibition was in 1978. She is recognized as one of the most influential self-taught artists in America.

Watch a short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTPIf2jUTjc

“Fairy Skull” Jewelry—Pure Magic!

16 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, Funerary Jewelry, Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on “Fairy Skull” Jewelry—Pure Magic!

Tags

Mourning rings, Shinji Nakaba

carved-pearl-skulls-vanitas-shinji-nakaba-fb__700
carved-pearl-skulls-vanitas-shinji-nakaba-14
carved-pearl-skulls-vanitas-shinji-nakaba-2

“Fairy Skull” Jewelry—Pure Magic!

Japanese artist, Shinji Nakaba, creates “wearable sculptures.” Since 1974, Nakaba has sculpted one-of-a-kind, made-to-order jewelry made from common items, such as clothing pins, to precious gems, stones, and metals. His smallest creations are called “Fairy Skulls.”

CIMG1381990

Nakaba practiced on a lot of other materials before settling on pearls. He found that pearls were easy to carve his miniature skulls called “Vanitas,” Latin for “vanity,” resembling 16th and 17th century funerary art.

“Mourning” rings were popular from the 16th century until the early 1900s. Although poor people were unable to afford such jewelry, the middle-class families would begin saving for these sentimental tokens. Wealthy families handed out engraved rings to funeral service attendees. The rings served as a reminder of the deceased. The practice ended with the commencement of the First World War; there were just too many dead soldiers returning home to sustain the tradition. For some, the reminder was too much to bear.

These “Fairy Skulls” are gentle reminders of our dead ancestors, as well as, the imaginary creatures who may exist. Nakaba titles and signs each skull; therefore, beware of fakes sold on Etsy, as he does not sell his skulls there.

The Tokyo-based artist ships internationally. His website provides instructions on the piece you seek. For more information and to peruse his collections, see http://s-nakaba.shop-pro.jp/.

 

“Yarn Darling” Shanell Papp Loves Knitting and the Macabre

14 Friday Jun 2019

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, Historic Places, Horror Movies, Hotels & Motels, Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on “Yarn Darling” Shanell Papp Loves Knitting and the Macabre

Tags

Lab #4, Lab (Skeleton), The Shining Banff

ShanellPapp_01
Shanell
Gurney

“Yarn Darling” Shanell Papp Loves Knitting and the Macabre

Shanell Papp’s upbringing fostered an interest in death and the macabre. She spent part of her childhood on a farm where she took part in caring and slaughtering the animals. Down the street was a cemetery. That alone provided ample content for her artistic endeavors. Her grandmother, owner of a thrift store/flea market, taught Papp how to knit and to crochet. Papp’s 2008 labor-intensive show Lab (Skeleton) was an instant hit and still discussed ten years later.

Papp, born in 1980, was enrolled in an MFA (Master of Fine Art) program at the University of Saskatchewan (Canada) when she began to crochet the life-sized skeleton. It took 4 months to create. Add another 4 months to create and to assemble the internal organs, and Lab (Skeleton) was born—much like Frankenstein’s Monster, a huge influence on Papp’s work.

Creating anatomically correct crochet skeletons is labor-intensive. Papp refers to medical textbooks, visiting college classes, and looking at real skeletons to maintain the accuracy in each piece. She even purchased a gurney to hold one of her creations. Papp says her art is an act of “patience, skill, and commitment.” She sees the pieces as conversation starters. Once completed and installed, Papp enjoys walking amongst the crowd and watching their reactions.

“Lab #4” depicts a skeleton on a table draped with a white tablecloth. The life-sized skeleton is made with yarn and thread and is crocheted and sewn together. It was created in 2006.

shining-banff

In 2013, Papp created “The Shining/Banff” comparing different rooms from King’s Overlook Hotel with one of the Banff Hotels. Needless to say, The Shining is one of Papp’s favorite horror movies.

To see more of Papp’s work: https://shanellpapp.com/

Frida Kahlo’s The Deceased Dimas Rosas at 3 Years Old

02 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, Catholic Church, Famous People, Memento Mori, Museums, Painting, Photography, Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on Frida Kahlo’s The Deceased Dimas Rosas at 3 Years Old

Tags

death bed portraits, deceased dimas rosas, frida kahlo, memento mori, postmortem photography, victorian mounring photography

frida

Frida Kahlo’s The Deceased Dimas Rosas at 3 Years Old

Death bed portraitures were a Mexican tradition. These works of art predisposed postmortem photography. The “Angelitos” were dead children who were free of sin. Paintings of these deceased children, usually between the ages of 1-5, were posed to appear alive. The memorial portrait survived the child; it was the only visual memory remaining. Celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also painted “Angelitos,” death portraits of children.

Painting death portraits seems fitting for Frida, as she suffered physically and mentally throughout her life. At the age of 6, Frida contracted polio, a horrible disease causing her to walk with a limb. Further, at the age of 19, Frida suffered permanent damage to her torso from a bus collision. This accident precluded her from having children. In addition to these physical maladies, Frida endured an open marriage to famed artist, Diego Rivera; political upheaval; and periodic confinement in her home “Casa Azul.” Frida was well aware of death—possibly her own impending death at the age of 47.

frida2

Memento mori were paintings or photographs depicting dead people as if they were alive. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “memento mori” as literally meaning “remember you must die.” Although these “Angelitos,” or Little Angels, paintings celebrated the life of a child by capturing his or her death, the tradition is not related “Day of the Dead.” It is merely another reminder of how life and death are celebrated in Mexico.

The Mexican tradition goes back to the 16th century. It blends the Mexican tradition with Catholicism. Wealthy families would hire an artist to paint the dead children sleeping. It was popular; however, it was costly. Once photography became more widespread and cheaper, it replaced portraiture paintings.

dimas

In 1937, 3 year old child Dimas Rosas became ill. His mother, Delfina, was the housekeeper for Diego and occasionally modeled for him. Diego was the child’s godfather. When Dimas’ condition worsened, Diego tried to persuade the mother and father to take him to a doctor. Instead, they took him to a village witch doctor. Unfortunately, he died. Frida posed the boy in clothing to honor St. Joseph. He is surrounded by flowers, especially marigolds which are a popular “Day of the Dead” bloom. A picture of Jesus Christ as “Lord of the Column” lays on the lace white pillow. He holds a gladiola while resting on a palm leaf mat. All of the things mean something—they represent religious and cultural iconography. A lot of thought went into this painting.

Frida completed the 18 ¾ x 12” oil painting on Masonite, a favorite medium of hers. For some unknown reason, the painting was not given to the family. Instead, it was named “Dressed Up for Paradise” and exhibited in the Julien Levy Gallery in 1938. Next it went to the Art Museum of Philadelphia as “Boy King.” Then owner Somerset Maugham found out about the subject matter and gave it back to Frida. The painting was then given to Frida’s main benefactor, Eduardo Morillo Safa. He, in turn, gave it to Dolores Olmedo where it sits in the Dolores Olmedo Museum in Mexico City. Currently, it is on loan to the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. It is unknown when the name changed; however, it is based on the inscription Frida left on the painting. While Victorian mourning photography is plentiful online and in private collections, these postmortem paintings are difficult to locate. If given the chance, head to The Dali. It is worth visiting and seeing this incredible piece of art.

In Case You Missed It

29 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artwork, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Ghost Tours, Live Paranormal, Media, Radio Show

≈ Comments Off on In Case You Missed It

Tags

archer paranormal investigations, archer paranormal radio, connie hall-scott, haunted dalton, haunted flight attendant

Haunted Dalton, Georgia

Haunted Dalton, Georgia

In case you missed Archer Paranormal Radio, click on this link to listen to the Archived shows: http://www.liveparanormal.com/archer.html.

The API Gals had a great time chatting with author Connie Hall-Scott. Join the API Gals on the Dalton Haunted Ghost Tour Saturday, September 6, 2014 in Historic Dalton, Georgia. Check out Connie’s Website for more information: http://about.me/conniehallscott.

Listen to Archer Paranormal Radio broadcasting live every Thursday night at 7 pm EST on http://www.liveparanormal.com.

The Wonderful Talking Board, Part 1

10 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Artists, Artwork, Famous People, Ghost Hunting, Paranormal, Paranormal History, Radio Show, Toys & Games

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

archer paranormal radio, haunted librarian, norman rockwell, ouija board, paranormal history

The Ouija Board

The Ouija Board

The Wonderful Talking Board, Part 1

Nothing divides a room than a discussion about playing with the Ouija Board. On one side sits the ardent not-in-a-million-years group. On the other, the occasional player. Where do you fall?

America was in a frenzy with the rise of Spiritualism in 1848. Spiritualism was compatible with Christian ideology. Séances were en vogue. Mediums enjoyed a celebrity type status. A simplified planchette was manufactured and sold across the country. However, a savvy businessman saw the potential to make millions.

The man who brought Ouija to the masses was in it for the money. Kennard Novelty Company patented the Ouija Board (Patent Number US446054 A) in 1891. Ironically, in order to receive a patent, the company had to demonstrate that the board actually worked. The Ouija Board game was introduced as a parlor wooden board game in the early 1900s—right as interest in the afterlife was growing. It was priced at $1.50 and consisted of a wooden board and wooden planchette.

Where does the name originate? Despite numerous stories, the name is not a combination of the words “Yes” and “No.” The most likely source of the name comes from co-founder Elijah Bond’s sister-in-law Helen Peters, a medium in her own right. Peters asked the board what it wanted to be called, and the response was “Ouija”—loosely translated as “good luck.” Dig a little deeper and you learn that Ms. Peter’s was sporting a locket containing the picture of women’s rights activist Ouida. Hmm.

Norman Rockwell

Bernice Bobs Her Hair, Norman Rockwell, May 1, 1920.

The Ouija Board was a mainstream activity in homes. Norman Rockwell added one in his May 1, 1920 illustration for The Saturday Evening Post. Polite society sat in their parlors and attempted to communicate with the dead. All hands would lightly rest on a teardrop-shaped planchette. A question would be called and mysteriously the planchette would move to reveal an answer. The answer may come in the form of a “yes” or a “no.” Or the spirit may spell out the answer one letter at a time. Or indicate a number. This process of deciphering a message from beyond the Veil could take hours. And many waited.

By the time the Kennard Novelty Company sold the game to Parker Brothers in 1967, the game turned into a multi-million dollar business. All was good until 1973 and The Exorcist. The sole factor in how a seemingly harmless parlor game turned into the portal of evil rests squarely on one motion picture. The Exorcist is loosely based on one pre-teenage girl (in real life it was a boy) who played with the Ouija Board and let loose the Devil. Parker Brothers was sold to Hasbro, current owner of the game. Since the movie’s premiere, the great divide on where people stand on the board has widened. Ouija Board games are ceremoniously burned with the likes of Harry Potter. Pat Robertson warns that demons can reach us through the board. Church leaders denounce the usage. The board game became spooky. But is it really? “Good-Bye.” For now…

Registered Trademark

Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archer Paranormal Investigations

The Haunted Librarian

Marietta, Georgia

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

Categories

Top 50 Paranormal Blogs & Websites

Top 15 Paranormal Blogs of 2019

Banners for Top 15 Paranormal Blogs of 2019

A WordPress.com Website.

Cancel

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×