What Boys Are Made Of (Mixed Media Monday)

Frogs and snails and puppy dogs' tails... that's what little boys are made of!


These three boys are part of my "found" family. I found them hiding in a box in an antique store. I love to hunt for hidden treasures, especially old photos and Victorian cabinet cards. But I don't think I have one old photo where the person is smiling. They all look so serious and austere. I saw these three boys and fell in love and adopted them into my instant family. How can you not smile at these faces? How much mischief do you think they've caused over the years? I bet they gave their real mother a run for her money!


This is a 9 x 12 piece on acrylic paper. I enlarged the original photo to 8x10 and glued bits and pieces of vintage primers and picture books. One book is called "Book of Etiquette for Boys and Girls" and on the original you can read the rules of etiquette that were taught to children in the past. Things like:


"All children should stand up when an older person comes into the room, and remain standing until everyone is seated. But boys must stand whenever a girl comes into the room. And if there aren't enough seats to go around, he must always offer his seat to her."


"A boy holds a girl's chair when she is seating herself at the dinner table, pushing it in gently when she bends her knees. He never seats himself until all the girls are seated."


"Do not wave your knife and fork around or stick them in the air or bang them on the plate or table. Do not hold your knife and fork upright in your fist like a dagger ready to stab someone. Chew slowly, with your mouth closed. Don't gulp or make noises. "


Wow. What the heck happened to proper etiquette? Enjoy your Monday!