LAURIE BETH ZUCKERMAN'S HOME ALTAR TO HER LATE FATHER, GEORGE ZUCKERMAN

Closeup of "My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 12-12-12

"My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 12-12-12

For comparison sake, here are two additional photos
that I took from back in 2003.

Closeup of "My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 2003

"My Father's Altar" by Laurie Beth Zuckerman, 2003

12-12-12. Finally had a chance to photograph "My Father's Altar" this morning. My birthday, and the birthday of the Virgin of Guadalupe. I hadn't taken any recent pictures of the altar since it was out on display at the Loveland Museum Gallery during my "Memento Mori" solo retrospective in fall of 2009. It has really filled in, especially on the bust of Jesus. The other day I promised on this blog that I would post a completely up-to-date picture, dust and all!! So fun to see all of the changes. 

I love the pair of old Mary and Jesus photos on the wall, especially because the Mary is my favorite Mother of Sorrows image. Some of the Mary's have come and gone to other altars, but essentially it is the same altar I wake up to every morning and say goodnight to every evening. I built this altar beginning in October of 1996 when my father first passed away. Sixteen years of collecting the perfect pieces to maintain the look and coloration of this altar. That is a long time to work on one altar. Yet, what seems even longer is the last time I saw my father alive. That seems like a lifetime ago.

Wondering about the Teddy Bear on the altar. My father gave me that Teddy Bear when I was five years old. Still have it after 56 years and have never had to mend it!! The small framed photos are pictures of my mother and father during the first happy years of their marriage.

Post from the other day:

While looking through my photo files of my home altars, I came across these two 2003 shots of "My Father's Altar." At the top of this blog in my banner image is a more recent version of the altar. It is fun to compare the changes that I have made over the years. There are several small statues and frames depicting the Sacred Heart of Mary, although the headliner of this altar is the chalkware bust of Jesus, which came out of an old church in Montana before being sold on the antique market. 

Sadly the vintage glass Christmas bulb rose in the bottom middle was broken by my last male cat, Mr. Munchkie, who I frequently referred to as my little Altar Boy. After one hop up on this altar cabinet, the rose rolled off onto the hardwood floor. End of rose.

Please join my dear friend, Rebecca Brooks at her blog for the 12 days of Mary sharing by artists around the world: Recuerda Mi Corazon. I have linked this post to Rebecca's site on this, Day 12, and previously Day 9 of Mornings with Mary.