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.

48 comments:

Linda said...

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

Miss Jean said...

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!

blushing rose said...

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

Cal said...

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

Cal

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

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!)

Skoots1moM said...

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

Claudia said...

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

Xazmin said...

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

becky up the hill said...

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.

Unknown said...

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

Dawn said...

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

Denise said...

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.........

Martine said...

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

:) martine

The Green Pea said...

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

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky,

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

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Michele McLaughlin said...

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

Jean said...

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

Anonymous said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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!

Lacy said...

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

Twyla and Lindsey said...

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

♥Mimi♥ said...

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.

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I couldn't have said it better.

Have a Magnificent Monday - scritches to Duggs and Fi.

Lynn

Simply Debbie said...

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

Sinta Renee said...

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

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

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

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

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

Blessings,
Spencer

Janet said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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

the wild raspberry said...

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

Dena said...

How beautiful said. I'm with you Becky.

Hugs,
Dena

Rosemary said...

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

Allidink said...

Those are very sweet :) love those times too.

All the best,
Allison

Kathleen Grace said...

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!

Shabbee Chick said...

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

Heidi said...

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

bj said...

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.

Linda Summerfield said...

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

joyh82 said...

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

Elyse said...

very sweet post, sweetie.

xo

Vee said...

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

Judi said...

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

Susie Q said...

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

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Beautifully said, Becky.
♥, Susan

Linda said...

what a nice post!

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

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

The Old Painted Cottage said...

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

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

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