Treasure Uncovered! – A New Joseph Cornell Box

I was absolutely thrilled when a viewer to my Facebook page Denise’s Boxes / Denise McDowell Art contacted me during the week.

A lady by the name of Lana commented that she had actually met the assemblage artist Joseph Cornell many years ago, and not only that, he had given her one of his boxes as a present. Now, as most of you know, I am a huge admirer of this particular artist and have been inspired to create box assemblage pieces through his work.

To actually be able to ‘meet’ someone who spoke to him and received a gift from him is absolutely fascinating to me. Lana and I exchanged some messages and she has given me permission to tell her story on my blog and has provided me with some photographs to share.

As a 16 year old working in a store on Main Street, Flushing, Queens, NY, Lana lived only a few miles from Joseph Cornell. The store sold fabric and the artist would come in every now and then to buy fabric. She remembers him as ‘very quiet and polite’. He also asked if she and another girl would work part time cleaning his home – Lana says that unfortunately her mother would not give her permission but the other girl did work for him for a time. In her own words she says, “What a lost opportunity, can you imagine I would have been able to see inside his home and his unfinished works”. I agree!

Joseph Cornell presented Lana with a tiny box assemblage which she has treasured since 1966 and which shows on one side an image of a child, possibly a Medici print which have featured in many of his boxes. On the other side of the box is a simple stamp showing a seahorse. The box is papered inside and you can plainly see Cornell’s handwriting where he has dedicated and signed the artwork personally to Lana. Oh my goodness, how excited I was to see these photographs!

I really am honoured that Lana contacted me and feel that this is a very important find not only for Cornell followers but the world of art in general. I hope you get as much pleasure from looking at this tiny treasure as I (and Lana!) have had.

Belfast Culture Night

Can’t quite believe it is five years since one of my boxes was added to the collection in the Belfast War Memorial Museum.  It was to mark the 70th anniversary of the Belfast Blitz (now 75 years ago).  You can see it in the foreground of this picture and it was to be used to take to school talks to show some items which were relevant to children in WW2 for example a little suitcase with identity tag used by evacuees.  I was very honoured to have this chance to remember those affected by WW2 in my home town.

I revisited the Museum during Belfast’s Heritage night in September and it was lovely to see some Lindy Hop dancing and a singalong to ‘Songs from the Air Raid Shelter’.  An amazing place.  I do have a ‘thing’ about WW2 and my favourite books are by Nella Last who was the lady who wrote the diaries called ‘Housewife, 49’ which Victoria Wood turned into a fantastic tv drama.

Sky Blue

New birthday box!

This was another fun box to do, lots of interests for the person it was made for!  Don’t forget if you would like to buy or commission a box just contact me via this page or at dmcdni@yahoo.co.uk  – remember I can work to a budget and am always open to suggestions for new projects!!

Virtual exhibition!!

‘Are You My Mummy?’ – just another Doctor Who quote!!

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

 

The brief for this box was simple, lots of travel, passport, work but with a generous helping of family and DIY!  Lots of little in jokes and a secret scroll in the drawer!  I love to source all the elements that are needed and this in the end creates a one of a kind keepsake for a special person.

Butterfly Beauty

Just to get us looking forward to Spring I thought I would share this pretty little box which celebrates it!  Please let me know where in the world you are and if you have any unusual ideas for box themes!

When Edgar Allan Poe met Hammer Horror!

I am always amazed at the varied interests that lend themselves to amazing boxes!  No more so than my most recent one – the brief was unusual to say the least Edgar Allan Poe’s iconic poem ‘The Raven’ with a tongue in cheek reference to the old English Hammer Horror films (first one made in the 1930s!)  I have been given permission to upload some pictures and hope that it brings the new owner as much pleasure as I had making it!

Big box with pull out drawer!

Nevermore….

Hammer Horror revisited!

A bit of everything!!

Only two of these boxes remain but glad they went to good homes!!

Angel box

This little box has been used to help raise funds for a friend who is heading to India in a few months to do valuable charity work – After the raffle – it now has a new owner, hope she likes it!

PEACHES AND CREAM!

New little box in gorgeous spring shades, this is an unusual box as it has a lovely lid in which can be displayed your own photographs! Please message me if anyone is interested in purchasing it!

Looking to the future…

I am hopeful that in 2014 I will be making more boxes and getting out and about to vintage fairs and who knows maybe a wee joint exhibition!

Beautiful box!

My husband is a really talented carpenter and came to the rescue when I needed a massive box for a commission piece! He made this from reclaimed wood and it was perfect for the job! I am hoping to recruit him in the future for one off boxes!!

The Big Reveal!

This was a special commission piece to be given as a Christmas present, it was nice that the customer was able to give me lots of ideas to work from and she was very pleased with the final box.

3D Family tree!

This box tells the story of an imaginary family tree, on one side there are pieces belonging to a mum like a nail file, vintage cigarette holder (well it was the fashion then!) while on the other side is an old wooden glasses case and a collar stud. One of my favourite boxes to make. Hope you like it.