I’ve just received Melanie’s last cigarette in the mail. She sent me her last cigarette that she smoked and a cigarette withheld for me. Melanie quit on February 14th and has had a slip or two – but she is working really hard at it and that is the key to success. She’s not giving up on quitting and she’ll do great.
Archive for February, 2008
Melanie’s Last cigarette
Thursday, February 28th, 2008Linda
Thursday, February 28th, 2008Linda has been quit over 5 weeks now but she had kept a full unopened packet of cigarettes in her home. She felt that by keeping a packet unopened that she was demonstrating control over the nicotine addiction. For me, that is a time bomb waiting to go off. I’ve done that before on previous quits but always caved in at some point. Linda graciously sent me her pack and I am currently working on creating a suitable artwork for them. They are still unopened by the way but it is strange to handle the packet – it has crossed my mind that I could smoke the pack and nobody would be any the wiser!! How crazy is that? On the other hand I stare at the pack and admire how pristine it is and how clean it is – the design sings purity.
Vicky’s Last Cigarette Immortalized
Tuesday, February 12th, 2008I have completed Vicky’s last cigarettes that she sent me in the mail. I used the three broken cigarettes that were in the pack and stuck them back together again. I designed the artwork around the toril gates found at the entrance to Japanese Shinto shrines because I find their architecture both harmonious and peaceful. The paper scrolls at the top of the shrine are fashioned after the Buddhist prayer wheels and the written text on them simply repeat over and over again “One day at a timeâ€. Once again for consistency I used the gauze as a symbol of healing and, to ensure consistency from one work to another. Unseen, below the gauze is a simple book of Japanese rice paper that repeats the mantra “Success is just not one puffâ€. On top of the gauze is a makeshift cross on which the cigarettes are hung or crucified. (The use of the cross is not intended denigratory to the Christian religion). The color is alizarin orange with Indian yellow lights shining through, symbolizing light and passion and strength.
