I should start this post by saying that we have the best landlords ever. I truly mean this in every sense possible. One of the perks of them living in the same building as us is that this is their home too. They've decorated the hall and walls leading all the way up to our top floor apartment, which makes the entire building feel like a home. It was one of the things that immediately attracted us to the place.
They also have a similar affinity for old photographs...some of them strange. Peter and I began our collection a few years ago and have slowly started to acquire them...our landlords have a bunch though - and I love them all. My absolute favorite however, is a family that we have dubbed 'the scary family'.
Upon walking into our foyer you will notice to the right of you the family pictured below. This photo is so awesome in so many ways. The patriarch looks a bit confused, well many of them look confused. The matriarch looks like she's quite perturbed. The guy all the way to the left looks truly shocked or frightened by whatever it is he sees to his left. The guy to the right of him is completely spaced out. But my favorite is the little boy in the bottom right corner. If you were able to see this print in person you would notice that his hand looks like a ghost hand. And he himself is very scary...perfect for Halloween.
So another reason why my landlords are great - they don't mind when I deface their property. I decided last Halloween that 'the scary family' needed to dress up for the holiday. I channeled my inner-kindergarten self - got out the construction paper, glue, and scissors and made outfits for them. Sadly, a photograph of this does not exist.
The next holiday was Thanksgiving. Quickly, before driving home to NJ, I whipped up a turkey, cornucopia, and a few pilgrim hats. The image below shows a few remaining pieces from that installation.
Christmas was up next. This one took a bit more time. Please note that surrounding Santa and Mrs. Clause are ten elves - complete with tiny pointy ears.
In February I made an Olympics/Valentines Day theme with Olympic rings and another set of Olympic rings made of hearts. The little boy held a torch. Before I could take a photo, Peter took it down...to be fair it was up for months and months. Note however, I reused the torch in the 4th of July theme below. The father is Uncle Sam and the mother is Betsy Ross - complete with needle and thread. Finishing the work are the fireworks and sparklers.
It has been 4th of July for four months now for the family. I've been so busy I haven't had the time to sit down with paper and scissors. But...for about a month now I've had a perfect idea. On Thursday morning as we were leaving the house we saw our landlord at the front door. She asked if there wasn't going to be a Halloween theme. I kinda mumbled something. She said that she understood I needed to be inspired. I was thinking...you have no idea.
I finally found some time to have some Halloween fun for myself. And this is what I created...
meet the many faces Trixie, our landlords dog. Peter held her while I took a few photographs. I then used my Photoshop skills to create the mini heads to put on this unsuspecting family. A few Halloween costumes were incorporated - a pirate, clown, and spaceman.
I've been told that this needs to stay up for a while. Perhaps they'll be celebrating the upcoming holidays as Trixie?
One other thought that I've had...this family never had any idea that their family portrait would come to this. This moment actually happened. They sat in their living room - drawing room perhaps - and posed for their solemn portrait. It was most likely something they treasured. And now, in 2010, this is what they have come to. I'd love to know who they are. Are you related to them?
Happy Halloween!!
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