The exhibit of all the Mona’s

 Several years ago, all the Mona’s were in display in an exhibit at a now defunct gallery in Richmond, VA, USA.  I’m very bad at record keeping. An image of the entire wall exists somewhere! Maybe I’ll find it someday and when I do, I’ll post here. 

New exhibit

 Two of the four remaining Monas will be on display at ArtSpace Gallery in Richmond, VA, USA. OPENING 23 August 2024~6 pm to 9 pm. The artist talk is the next day at 2. I’ll be one of the “talkers!” The show closes 21 Sept. 

I’m really happy that these gals will be seen in public again  I’ll post photos from the exhibit  

Due to Covid19 - Mona is staying isolated.

On display!

If you're in the Richmond, VA area, 6 of the Mona's are on display at Ozzy and Squish - in The Hive, 1801 Highpoint Ave, RVA 23235
Stop by during salon hours.

Three are of the Lighthouse series plus three others.

The last Monas, #28, 29 and 30

#28

 Here they are, the last of the 30 Mona Lisa postcards that I altered when we were in Paris, winter of 2012.

I fell in love with this ubiquitous image, not because it was THE Mona Lisa, but because I could get so many of her and play, play, play.

#29

#30

I hope you enjoyed seeing her in a new way. Which one is your favorite. So far, I've got one vote for #11.

And, a reminder, these were all done old school. Cut and paste, no digital changes.

Nearing the last of the Monas.

#25 SOLD

#26

#27 SOLD

Oh Mona, we know that's you behind the wall!  Strawberry shortcake for all! Stripes are so, so, oh, I don't know, maybe so level?

#22 SOLD

#23

#24

1. I had so much fun with these. Have I told you this before? I'm especially fond of Mona with the skull.  Obscuring Mona completely except for a part of her, is also interesting for me, as no matter how little I expose, just the lips, just the hand, we know it's her.

Six more images to go. Let the anticipation build!!

Which is your favorite so far?

Mona and the Light Houses

#19

#20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#21

 Oh Mona, perhaps you're thinking about times you spent by the ocean or a voyage you may have taken. Perhaps these are souvenirs. Who knows?

And the Mona's continue....

#16

#17 SOLD

#18 SOLD

In the last image, the corona, or halo, extends beyond the edge of the postcard. If I were to send this off in the post, I'd have to put it into an envelope or attach it to a larger backing.
I'm not sure these Mona's will ever become Mail Art as they exist, I might just make prints of them. What do you think I should do with them?

More Mona's - #13, 14, and 15.

#13 SOLD

#14

#15

As I wrote earlier, these are all cut and paste collages that I did while we were in a 2 month residency in Paris. I hadn't looked at them since we returned, when I popped them into a folder and tucked them away. It was so much fun to see them again.

I encourage everyone to find a Mona image and alter it! Really, do it. It'll make you smile.

#10, 11, and 12 of 30 Mona's

#10 Mona in yet another disguise SOLD

#11 Mona in front of a mural SOLD

#12 Mona in a green place

#9 of 30

Behind every abstraction.....SOLD

I find that having Mona Lisa obscured with her mouth showing, doesn't change a thing. It's that smile, isn't it? You just recognize it right off! I read a book once about the "making of Mona Lisa" about how she became so well known. It was a bit academic and I can't remember much about what I read.

Has anyone read anything like that? I'm still curious about it. How DID she become so well know?

Mona #8

Pomegranate season! 

Did I mention that I'm thinking of doing a little poll? Having people vote on their favorite Mim altered Mona? Would you vote?

You'll have to wait because there are 30 images, so I've a few more to post.

Stay tuned! as they used to say. 

Mona #7

 Mona in the middle of a green place.
SOLD

Seeing these cards again after 3 years is like seeing old friends, and at the same time being surprised by my own creations. Do you ever have that happen? Where you make something or write something then forget about it and look at it again later, and think "Huh, I did that?!"

Mona #4, 5, & 6 out of 30

 Mona is right at home in this setting. A lovely cottage with a red gate.

 Why she ended up surrounded by balloons, well, you'll just have to think about that.

SOLD

Mona in disguise! What amazing changes a wig and some lipstick can produce, right?




All of the changes on these cards are made by my cutting and gluing paper to the postcards. There is no digital alteration. I'm pretty good with a pair of scissors, wouldn't you say!?

Altering the Mona Lisa, the first 3 of 30

SOLD

 In January of 2012, I began a series of altered Mona Lisa postcards while we were in Paris at Cite International des Arts, where my husband had a residency.

I became a bit obsessed with buying the ubiquitous Mona Lisa cards, especially since I found them at a great price at the book store: Monalisait. 

I have 30 of the cards in my possession. I may have sent off one or more, but I can't remember. I do remember that I had a fun time coming up with different ways to alter Mona.

 UPDATE: 17 Aug 20924 It appears that there still are two Monalisait store in Paris. 

SOLD

SOLD