Sunday, June 28, 2009

Old Art From A Tough Period

Charming....
Old fashioned..
Nostalgic...
Sentimental...
....kind words....
....and practical.
I am drawn to art from the 1920's and '30's. Even through the difficult times of those days, you will find artwork that has a humble and gentle appeal to it. The Buzza and Gibson companies manufactured little motto prints to offer kind words of encouragement, love and appreciation. People made things to use in their homes, like this wooden napkin holder that was signed by the artist in 1937. Even though times were hard, people made the best of what they had and thought of ways to create and endure. They pulled up their boot straps and tightened the knot on their apron. Simply... they perservered.
There's a little cozy corner in my heart for my old things....
from a time in history that sometimes I wish I could have experienced first hand.

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48 comments:

  1. LindaJune 28, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    Me too Becky. I have the same feelings...hugs, Linda

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  2. Miss JeanJune 28, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    I just love that first little picture! You're right. Just because times are tough doesn't mean we can't have beauty all around us.

    Have a beautiful Sunday!

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  3. blushing roseJune 28, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Oh, oh, OH! I have so many of these verse pictures ... I LOVE the artwork. I started tucking them in my purchases with my vintage silhouettes! I think I have about 600 left of a mix of both. The artwork captures me so completely.
    TTFN ~Marydon

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  4. CalJune 28, 2009 at 10:49 AM

    I understand the sentiment completely and I love the words on the little friendship plaque.

    Cal

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  5. Coralie Cederna JohnsonJune 28, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    Oh, I, too, love this period of beautiful books, illustrations, and cards of all kinds! Your findings are lovely!

    (If you haven't already stopped by, I'd like to invite you to enter my GIVEAWAY for a lot of vintage feedsack squares. Hope you'll come!)

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  6. Skoots1moMJune 28, 2009 at 12:03 PM

    i have some old Hummel post cards i recently removed from some hand-made picture frames. i believe they are from the 30's...i have checked anything on the internet yet...there are 7 of them. I re-framed them in solid black frames with bland mats so the colors in the pics showed more vibrantly.
    i'll have to post them on one of the vintage memes.
    enjoyed your pics...thx 4 sharing

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  7. ClaudiaJune 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    They are so charming! I love that period; the illustrations are just beautiful.

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  8. XazminJune 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM

    I love these pieces! I too love the art from that time!

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  9. becky up the hillJune 28, 2009 at 2:06 PM

    Me too, my friend. I am loving the old Motto prints more and more. How is that dogs, kids and cats have such a 'look' from that era? It's just charming.

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  10. UnknownJune 28, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    I Love this old art too! It is hard to find now though. I have been able to pick up a couple of cottage prints (that I love!!!) but I paid top dollar for them at an antique shop. I would do it again though.

    ~Liz

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  11. DawnJune 28, 2009 at 3:04 PM

    It does seem that the art from that era has a comforting element to it. Simple, sweet and encoraging, like you said. We're still going through the attic and finding neat old things. I don't know what to do with it all but I hate that's it's wasting away up there. I need more wall space! Stay cool this week.
    Dawn

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  12. DeniseJune 28, 2009 at 3:52 PM

    I have a black tray just like the one in your picture..... I miss my Grandmother.. She lived to see 99 and was in wonderful health. I miss the simplicity of the day that she lived and the many things she taught me........ times then were hard but the grace and strength of the people will prove in history to our do us multiple times over.........

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  13. MartineJune 28, 2009 at 4:01 PM

    The napkin holder is so cute!! I also like the artwork... the people in the art look so charming!

    :) martine

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  14. The Green PeaJune 28, 2009 at 4:20 PM

    I love the cute little napkin holder and do I see a sweet little black Scotty peeking out next to napkins? Sandi

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  15. AnonymousJune 28, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    Hi Becky,

    I always like seeing your nostalgia...you truly do have a heart for those things. Hope your weekend was relaxing.

    Hugs,
    LeAnn:)

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  16. Michele McLaughlinJune 28, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    Me too, Becky. Me too. Your treasures are wonderful :)

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  17. JeanJune 28, 2009 at 6:31 PM

    Becky, you know I love them too. they are very special pieces of old art and really have such wonderful and meaningful mottos on them.
    Jean in Virginia

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  18. AnonymousJune 28, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    The colors from this time period art are just luscious! Soft and yet vibrant at the same time -- probably just the women of that period! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. AnonymousJune 28, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    The colors from this time period art are just luscious! Soft and yet vibrant at the same time -- probably just the women of that period! Thanks for sharing!

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  20. LacyJune 28, 2009 at 7:11 PM

    Very lovely. So many pretty drawings same out of the 20's & 30's.

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  21. Twyla and LindseyJune 28, 2009 at 7:55 PM

    I Love those old motto prints like the Friend one you show. I have a collection of them and get so excited when I find one! Twyla

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  22. ♥Mimi♥June 28, 2009 at 8:39 PM

    I think what draws some of us to the old, tired and endearing art and artifacts of the past is the fact that the people of that time were strong and resourceful, honest and thrifty, prayerful and family oriented. They were so many things that a great many people who surround us now are not, at least not on the surface.

    When I hold something old in my hands whether it be a book or piece of linen or rub my hand along the wood of an old bench, I conjure up thoughts of the family that created it and used it and loved it. In some way or manner I feel a need to care for what they owned long ago so that a little piece of history is not lost.

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  23. Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek RamblingsJune 29, 2009 at 4:01 AM

    I couldn't have said it better.

    Have a Magnificent Monday - scritches to Duggs and Fi.

    Lynn

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  24. Simply DebbieJune 29, 2009 at 4:09 AM

    Dear Becky,
    we are a lot alike. I can not pass up a picture like the 2 you have showed and I love story books from that time because of the pictures...I have been to many estate sales where I bought images that just make me so happy.....you couldn't help but smile
    I was just thinking about that time period last night and wondering how they made it without thrift stores and estate sales and cottage chic and shabby chic but yet had the most amazing things and worked harder than any of us could blink an eye at.
    I am 2 posts away from my 100th post and am giving a second chance in the give away to those who are followers of my blog before I post the give away
    have a good week...amy will be getting chemotherapy the next three days if her counts are up...I will be surprised if she weighs 82 lbs...she is having a really hard time.
    I think of you every day.
    hugs
    debbie

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  25. Sinta ReneeJune 29, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    There is a lot to be said for simplier times... even in hard times there was grace, beauty and kindness to be found.

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  26. ~Lavender Dreamer~June 29, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    I love the sweet faces on the ladies and girls from this time. Very calming and nice!

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  27. {Bellamere Cottage}June 29, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Just darling....they're just so happy, I think!

    Blessings,
    Spencer

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  28. JanetJune 29, 2009 at 11:22 AM

    I have the "Friendship" verse ( with a different picture) that my Father's mother gave to my Mother's mother before my Mom and Dad got married in 1940. It says "To Edith from Anna" on the back of the frame. Very special.

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  29. AnonymousJune 29, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    I love the colors of the first picture. Also the picture itself but the colors.... very nice.

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  30. the wild raspberryJune 29, 2009 at 2:34 PM

    we take so many things for granted these days...as hard as times were then, I think they had their priorities in place better than we have...
    blessings to you~
    chas

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  31. DenaJune 29, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    How beautiful said. I'm with you Becky.

    Hugs,
    Dena

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  32. RosemaryJune 29, 2009 at 7:39 PM

    Hi Becky,
    Very sweet pictures.
    You have a good 4TH as well.
    Rosemary

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  33. ShaamJune 29, 2009 at 8:54 PM

    Those are very sweet :) love those times too.

    All the best,
    Allison

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  34. Kathleen GraceJune 30, 2009 at 10:58 AM

    I love the art from this time period too. I think we are seeing the same kind of thing happening with people repurposing and creating for etsy. Such a strong handmade movement going on now, I bet we are the collectibles of the future!

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  35. Shabbee ChickJune 30, 2009 at 11:41 AM

    Love it!!! And I love your words about tough times and beautiful things...

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  36. HeidiJune 30, 2009 at 2:37 PM

    Hi there Becky! It has been so long since I stopped by. I have been very sick and am slowly recovering. I am passing by to say hello to some old friends online. I just did a blog entry about an author from Sweden whose books I love. Her artwork is just beautiful and also along the lines of what you show here. Oh by the way, I have started two new blogs but you can find the links easily from both of my old blogs.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  37. bjJune 30, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    I feel just like you, Becky. I am old enuf to remember some of those really hard times after the deep depression. When we had ration stamp books and my mom would trade shoe stamps for sugar stamps and etc. We had it really rough for awhile and yet my mother made everything pretty. She made all our clothes, made slipcovers, bedspreads..everything. A wonderful legacy she left for my memories.

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  38. Linda SummerfieldJune 30, 2009 at 5:20 PM

    I am drawn to that period, too! I have actually never put it in to historical context before,and you are so insightful with your observations,
    Your Pal,
    Linda

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  39. joyh82June 30, 2009 at 5:37 PM

    I love it too. I really like Victorian art and the art of Bessie Pease Gutman

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  40. ElyseJune 30, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    very sweet post, sweetie.

    xo

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  41. VeeJuly 1, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    Those old pieces of art are so charming and express just exactly our feelings so well.

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  42. JudiJuly 1, 2009 at 12:38 PM

    Hi Becky
    Thank you for sharing your pictures and your thoughts...I know what you mean about that era....lovely...
    have a great day
    Judi

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  43. Susie QJuly 1, 2009 at 2:39 PM

    It is one of my very favorite times in American history. My parents did live through it and although times were tough, there was a true sense of community and of *being in this together*...
    Your treausres always make me smike...as do YOU!

    Love,
    Sue

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  44. black eyed susans kitchenJuly 1, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    Beautifully said, Becky.
    ♥, Susan

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  45. LindaJuly 1, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    what a nice post!

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  46. Mary Isabella and Kiley too!July 1, 2009 at 8:11 PM

    Good post and very well said...hugs..m.

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  47. The Old Painted CottageJuly 2, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    Dear Becky,

    I've been away much too long, and much reading ahead of me. I can see you've been one busy little queen bee.

    Okay, off to see what you've been up to...can't wait!

    oxox
    Jennifer

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  48. Bargain Decorating with LaurieJuly 2, 2009 at 9:27 PM

    I always love the graphics and the sentiments on art from this period also. They are just so charming. You've inspired me to share some of these on my blog some day. laurie

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Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!