Inside the Marilyn Window

Hidden behind the public impression of our personalities are the bits and pieces that bring us true joy. Internal emotion is found in the spaces between outward expression. Perception takes many forms....The interpretation of artwork always varies based on the observer, and their preconceived notions of the subject. Therefore it is key to evoke your own opinions, through whatever artistic means, and shout out your unique understanding. Let yourself echo through whatever craft you've immersed yourself in, and let that art confess your feelings, realized in physical form.

What most captivated me about Marilyn Monroe was her sense of being, as she abhorred being taken for granted. Audiences were spoiled with her glamorous showmanship in silly roles, when she should have been given opportunities to shine. Just like anyone, Marilyn had so many layers, faces, and flaws to her personality. Hers was miscalculated under a microscope. As an artist, it's easy to relate to an unfulfilled, underappreciated life, because all too often our potentials are misunderstood. I've built this window to see through to another depth of her character. Greater than some pretty picture on the wall, Marilyn deserved respect as the artist that she was.

I tried to bring a message in this piece that was appealing, different, and visually standout, to reflect Marilyn's essence. In order to bring myself into this further, I chose to include a collection of my great-grandmother's old costume jewelry. As well as adding dimensional effect, the beads bring a certain kind of class and elegance to the frame. The depth is enhanced with each layer.

The portraits of Marilyn were cut from an old calendar found in an art tote recovered from my closet during a Covid-cleanout. I had held onto these images because they were just too chic to toss at the end of several Decembers ago. It was time to immortalize these pictures! After days of negotiation I deliberated myself from twelve images down to six, and arranged them in a way they were aesthetically pleasing.

It took a while to find the right window frame. The idea came from wanting to use all of the images together, and since they were all so large, a window frame seemed to fit the bill. Unable to find a 2x3 of the right size for this project, luck struck me. Someone was selling a 2x4 frame and sent a picture - immediately I saw its potential. Having flexibility with available materials broadened the parameters of the design. Ecstatic with the concept of negative space that the extra panels would provide, I bought it off a seller from my local online marketplace.

It was important to me that my great-grandmother's jewelry be represented fashionably. Although it's merely costume and ornamental, the beads are still significant. I wanted them to dangle with grace and splendor that would honor both Marilyn and my great-grandmother. Merely hanging them in there would not be enough; they needed to carry a certain charm. The necklaces must appear delicate, though it is important that they don't lose shape over time, so I chose to coil a thin copper wire around as reinforcement. A small portion of beads were simply restrung with the wire. They've all effectively stayed secure in their positions over the last year. A gently false-hanging string of pearls makes it seem as though this heavy window frame is impossibly supported. The true bearing is unseen to the observer - a piece of copper wire and two sturdy nails. This effect is metaphorical of the infamous subject’s life, as well. Even down to how this piece hangs on the wall is important. Attention to detail in every aspect can truly bring art to life.

The framing of the pictures was the most important part of this project. As the calendar images were larger than the window frames, they had to be trimmed down. It was important to keep symmetry on the whole, as well as letting each image stand alone as a beautiful cut-out of the photograph it once was. Over and over again I placed and re-placed them until finally all six were properly set. I first used a pencil and scissors to shape the images' essential positions for the project, and enforced them with equally shaped cardboard backings.

Three of the cardboard-enforced cutouts were set directly into the window, while the other three placed back from the panes, fitted and glued there with room for depth, and the jewelry to fall. A staple gun safely secured my great-grandmother's beads as well as a large finishing blank poster board in the back, to hide my work. The board was easily scissored to clear the negative space of the empty panels, so that wherever this artwork hangs, color will be allowed through and it will blend with the room.

Similar projects can be done with pictures frames, as well. You can work with magazine cutouts, paintings, flower presses, etc. For various pieces, different approaches can be taken to bring out an energy, or your message. Every work is different, each piece must take on it's own design. Using layers of varied art forms can be a powerful way to enhance your point. The most critical rule in crafts, I believe, is to keep yourself open to your own expansive potential. Always let yourself show through your work - as there is incomparable beauty, and true joy, in every imperfection that a flawless Hollywood cinematic film would never dare to show.

Materials/tools used: calendar pages, cardboard, copper wire, costume jewelry, pencil, poster board, scissors, staple gun, super glue, 2x4 window frame, a hammer and 2 nails.