The Dictionary Art Series- a response to Covid19
On March 8, I randomly flipped open a long forgotten and waterlogged dictionary (circa 1962- my birth year) from the bowels of an antiquated desk at my high school, where I teach. The book revealed the “scarab” image to me, and I became immediately transfixed on the vintage old-school illustrations. It was like an old friend in my hands. Not even hesitating, I tore the page out, and put the pen to work, creating my own version of the scarab, literally sprawled all over the page. I added a bit of watercolor wash to the image, and posted it on my social media, just sharing my fun diversion for the day.
I had several messages instantly, with inquiries to purchase. Clearly these pages were striking a chord with folks. A side hustle was born, and not a day too late for the pandemic that would ensue. I took the book home, and began finding other words and images that spoke to me, bringing them new life by tearing them from the bindings to create one off original pieces as quickly as my hand could wield the pen. Suddenly, people reached out to order their own images of things, creatures, a combination of creatures, dear to them, clinging to the vintage, also the familiar, the known.
Each day of this pandemic, I’ve had a focus, creating over 50 images so far. The feel and smell of an old book page, nostalgia and words from a time past, images familiar to many- has become something that my friends look forward to seeing everyday online. It has given me purpose.
During this time of isolation, over 18 dictionaries have kept me company and kept me productive. Right before the local used book store shut down, I bought 2 boxes of dictionaries (39 cents each- yeah!) and I haven’t stopped yet, and I won’t stop. The more I look through the books, each with its own feel and smell, the more I want to sketch. The more people are impacted. I’ve also learned some things along the way about myself and the world.
“Pandemic” is not a word in the 1962 webster’s dictionary. I found “epidemic” and “panic” , however. No one really wants an illustration of the corona virus right now but I sketched it anyway.
I see value in discarded outdated things.
People love bees, flowers, birds, and dogs. The end.
A vinegaroon is a member of the arachnid family, and only lives in the southwest. When provoked, it gives off a vinegar-like smell.
Horned toads spit blood, and are hard to find nowadays. There is at least one college that has the Horned Toad as their mascot.
Apparently, many of us had a beloved dachshund, at one time or another.
Many of us have symbolic attachment to the “anchor”, and whether our family has a naval officer, or a boater, the anchor continues to represent security for all of us.
There are many words I still don’t know, but want to learn.
The unabridged 1968 Webster’s has over 2,000 fine, fragile pages.
I have actually cherished this time to “pause” and rediscover the simple pleasures of pen and paper, and to reflect in this time of unknowns and “social distancing”. I have become reacquainted with my own childhood dictionary (1974) and have given the pages new life. My grandmother would be proud to know, if she was still here, since she gifted it to me. Commissions open and are ongoing. Prints are available of the originals. Refer to my website for more information.
Koi fish image on dictionary page “mother”
