DO YOU SEE WHAT I HEAR: MEMORIES OF THE HEART
Music plays a vital role in our lives—we use it to learn, celebrate, grieve, meditate and move our bodies in a way that we cannot control. It stirs up memories from the past, moves us to tears, makes us want to jump for joy and connects us to a greater consciousness.
Song of inspiration for the show:
Rossini “William Tell Overture”
Billie Holiday “I'll Be Seeing You”
Barbara Streisand “Don't Rain On My Parade”
The Aristocats Soundtrack “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”
Beethoven “Fur Elise”
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
The Beatles “Michelle”
Christina Perry “You Are My Sunshine”
John Denver “Country Roads”
Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”
Simone & Garfunkel - “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)"
Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy”
Valerie Savarie, "One of Us" $300
Acryla gouache, thread, acrylic, wax on canvas panel in vintage frame, 5" x 7"
The Aristocats Soundtrack “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”
My very first stuffed animal was a cat (which I still have). I am definitely a lover of cats and have two. This past April, I was helping my stepmom go through my dad’s things to decide what was trash, donatable or to keep. I found my childhood record of the soundtrack to The Artistocats in his vinyl collection. It brought back so many great memories - listening to the record and flipping through the story book that came with it. I have often thought what a wonderful life it would be being a cat!
Valerie Savarie: "Night Vision" $290
Altered book, acryla gouache, watercolor, 5.875”" x 3.75" x 1.125”
Book used: Pelleas & Melisande by Maurice Maeterlinck, published 1920’s
Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”
I can remember this song from a time when MTV just played music videos. Somehow, we had free cable for several months and we would sneak down to the basement and watch MTV as my mom didn’t approve of television outside of PBS and Saturday morning cartoons. I remember the glowing eyes towards the end of the video - “bright eyes”. Since moths tend to be more nocturnal, I embodied the spirit of the song with some added bright eyes on its wings.
Valerie Savarie: "Night Ride With Papa Moon" $720
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color , 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125"
Book used: The Home University Bookshelf, Vol IV "Picture Stories and Music", published 1945
Billie Holiday “I'll Be Seeing You”
Both of my parents loved music. I would say my dad had a more diverse appreciation for it. It was rare to be at either of their homes and not hear music in the background (we were not big TV people).
My dad passed away fairly unexpectedly last year the week after my show here closed. I was able to spend the last four days of this life with him. In those days we listened to many songs and reminisced about the past - he lived his last days to the fullest. One of his favorite songs was I’ll Be Seeing You and it is one of the last ones I remember listening to with him. He passed away on a full super moon and now moons will always be a symbol of him.
The girl on the carousel horse is representative of me, a child on a magical night ride to the moon to visit her papa who is peacefully keeping an eye on her.
Valerie Savarie: "My Sister" $320
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 6.125" x 4.75" x .5"
Book used: Pippa Passes by Robert Browning, published 1920's
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
As an adult, I find myself listening to lyrics more. As I revisited this song, it brought feelings of people supporting each other without looking for a thank you or some kind of compensation. It made me think of my younger sister who has a huge supporter so much over the years. She helps me take flight and keeps me steady in the air. I hope I do the same for her.
Valerie Savarie: "My Friend" $320
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 6.125" x 4.5" x .5"
Book used: Pelleas & Melisande by Maurice Maeterlinck, published 1920's
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
Valerie Savarie: "Loves Faded Memory" $700
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, 8.875" x 11.625" x 1". Book used: Modern Music and Musicians, Vol II: The Great Composers, published 1918
Beethoven “Fur Elise”
I can remember hearing this song used in a commercial for a collection of World’s Greatest Love Songs that would air in between cartoons. There is much mystery over the piece - its true title is Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor. The story told is that Beethoven had written the words Fur Elise on the sheet music and that there must have been some romantic connection to her. In my piece, Elise is but a faded memory of love from long ago, becoming more mysterious as the decades pass.
Fun note: the cut ebony piano keys are made from a portrait of Beethoven from the book.
Valerie Savarie: "Her Heart Belongs To Another" $800
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread. 6.875" x 9.5" x 1.25". Book used: Librettos of the French and German Operas, published 1939
The Beatles “Michelle”
As mentioned earlier, my family was very much into music. Everyone in my family loved the Beatles. Sometimes, my mom would let us pick which music we wanted when getting ready for bed. The Beatles 1962 - 1966 or commonly known as the red album was a wonderful four record set we had (and which I still own). When planning out this piece, I couldn’t decide if Michelle was human or cat. Then it came to me that it could be both! Tiny Michelle kitty living inside the heart of human Michelle = true love.
Valerie Savarie: "My Way" $760
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, , 5.625" x 8.5" x 1.625". Book used: The Class Room Teacher, Vol 11: Art, Geography, The Social Studies, Civics, History, Music, published 1928
Barbara Streisand “Don't Rain On My Parade”
My mom is a HUGE Barbara Streisand fan - as was her mom. I think other than classical, Ms. Streisand was the most played at mom’s house. While getting ready for the show, I watch Funny Girl - the play/movie that the song comes from. Fanny Brice was a successful, driven and unique woman and at the same time very down to earth. Yellow roses are part of the film (and roses are mentioned in the song) and yellow roses are also my mom’s favorite. Lyrics speak of beating her own drum, the rose of perfection, wanting a bite of juicy life (apple). The character in this one is me - doing my own thing, my own way and not letting a little rain get in my way. I have my umbrella just in case things don’t go quite as planned.
Valerie Savarie: "Hope" $780
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouche, water color, vintage thread, 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125". Book used: The Home University Bookshelf, Vol IV "Picture Stories and Music", published 1938
Simone & Garfunkel - “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)"
These guys were favorites of both of my parents - I think even more so after they got divorced. To me the sparrow represents freedom - to fly the skies and land where ever you want, the hammer represents strength and a tool to get things done, the forest is the connection to nature - a place where we can be alone with our thoughts and to feel the earth beneath one’s feet (the embroidered French knots) represents a calmness and connection to things far greater than ourselves. I can see how all of this imagery would speak to someone navigating life on their own.
Valerie Savarie: "Mother's Memories of Childhood” $880
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, 8.875" x 11.625" x 1". Book used: Modern Music and Musicians, Vol I: The Pianist's Guide: Theory, Technique, History, The Opera, published 1918
Rossini “William Tell Overture”
On Sunday mornings as a young child, I can remember watching the reruns of the black and white Lone Ranger show. It was a favorite of my mom’s too. She loved the opening music - William Tell Overture. I can remember her kicking us out of the house, putting the record on, cranking up the stereo full blast and doing her weekly clean of our home to this tune. Even if we were a few houses down, we could still hear the music and when we couldn’t hear it any more, we knew it was time to come home. In this piece, the Lone Ranger is my mom as a child, Hi Ho Silver Away (to get some house cleaning done).
Valerie Savarie: "Ten Cents A Ride” $800
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, rhinestones, metal spring, 8.5" x 11" x .1". Book used: The Old West: The Cowboys, pub. 1974
Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy”
I can remember my dad playing this after my parents divorced. I know it was a hard time for him as my mom was the one who wanted to separate. I never really paid attention to the lyrics until revisiting as an adult for this show. I love how this song really is a story of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how bad things seem to be at the moment. I tied in another childhood memory of “riding the ponies” at the grocery store - such a fun treat after a well behaved visit shopping with mom. This little rhinestone cowgirl is in the spotlight of her dreams all for the cost of one dime.
Valerie Savarie: "Soul Set Free” $700
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125"
Book used: The Bookshelf for Boys & Girls: Vol. IV: Picture Stories & Music", published 1948
Christina Perry “You Are My Sunshine”
Another song that I don’t think I ever knew all the lyrics to. Childhood memories always tied it to happiness, that there will always be someone there to love you, to shine brightly on you, to make you happy. Even though the lyrics get dark, I decided to focus on the child’s memory of happiness. A sun breaking through heart shaped clouds, shedding love on all.
Valerie Savarie: "The Road Home” $700
Hand cut altered book, 5.625" x 8.25" x 1.5". Book used: The Young Folks Treasury, Vol XII: Music and the Fine Arts, published 1917
John Denver “Country Roads”
It’s confession time, I remember this song from childhood however I didn’t like John Denver - having not grown up in Colorado, it wasn’t a sin to think so. Because of the dislike of his music (actually, just his voice), I found this piece quite challenging. The inspiration came very late in the game. A few weeks ago I spent a week up on our property in Cedaredge, CO (Western Slope) living in our newly converted short school bus. It was there that I realized that the country road leading to our land indeed did bring me home. I referenced our land and added in other elements to create the country road that leads to home. I am hoping that once I am living there full time, the fox that I have seen on occasion, will become my friend and welcome me home.
Song of inspiration for the show:
Rossini “William Tell Overture”
Billie Holiday “I'll Be Seeing You”
Barbara Streisand “Don't Rain On My Parade”
The Aristocats Soundtrack “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”
Beethoven “Fur Elise”
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
The Beatles “Michelle”
Christina Perry “You Are My Sunshine”
John Denver “Country Roads”
Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”
Simone & Garfunkel - “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)"
Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy”
Valerie Savarie, "One of Us" $300
Acryla gouache, thread, acrylic, wax on canvas panel in vintage frame, 5" x 7"
The Aristocats Soundtrack “Everybody Wants To Be A Cat”
My very first stuffed animal was a cat (which I still have). I am definitely a lover of cats and have two. This past April, I was helping my stepmom go through my dad’s things to decide what was trash, donatable or to keep. I found my childhood record of the soundtrack to The Artistocats in his vinyl collection. It brought back so many great memories - listening to the record and flipping through the story book that came with it. I have often thought what a wonderful life it would be being a cat!
Valerie Savarie: "Night Vision" $290
Altered book, acryla gouache, watercolor, 5.875”" x 3.75" x 1.125”
Book used: Pelleas & Melisande by Maurice Maeterlinck, published 1920’s
Bonnie Tyler “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”
I can remember this song from a time when MTV just played music videos. Somehow, we had free cable for several months and we would sneak down to the basement and watch MTV as my mom didn’t approve of television outside of PBS and Saturday morning cartoons. I remember the glowing eyes towards the end of the video - “bright eyes”. Since moths tend to be more nocturnal, I embodied the spirit of the song with some added bright eyes on its wings.
Valerie Savarie: "Night Ride With Papa Moon" $720
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color , 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125"
Book used: The Home University Bookshelf, Vol IV "Picture Stories and Music", published 1945
Billie Holiday “I'll Be Seeing You”
Both of my parents loved music. I would say my dad had a more diverse appreciation for it. It was rare to be at either of their homes and not hear music in the background (we were not big TV people).
My dad passed away fairly unexpectedly last year the week after my show here closed. I was able to spend the last four days of this life with him. In those days we listened to many songs and reminisced about the past - he lived his last days to the fullest. One of his favorite songs was I’ll Be Seeing You and it is one of the last ones I remember listening to with him. He passed away on a full super moon and now moons will always be a symbol of him.
The girl on the carousel horse is representative of me, a child on a magical night ride to the moon to visit her papa who is peacefully keeping an eye on her.
Valerie Savarie: "My Sister" $320
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 6.125" x 4.75" x .5"
Book used: Pippa Passes by Robert Browning, published 1920's
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
As an adult, I find myself listening to lyrics more. As I revisited this song, it brought feelings of people supporting each other without looking for a thank you or some kind of compensation. It made me think of my younger sister who has a huge supporter so much over the years. She helps me take flight and keeps me steady in the air. I hope I do the same for her.
Valerie Savarie: "My Friend" $320
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 6.125" x 4.5" x .5"
Book used: Pelleas & Melisande by Maurice Maeterlinck, published 1920's
Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings”
Valerie Savarie: "Loves Faded Memory" $700
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, 8.875" x 11.625" x 1". Book used: Modern Music and Musicians, Vol II: The Great Composers, published 1918
Beethoven “Fur Elise”
I can remember hearing this song used in a commercial for a collection of World’s Greatest Love Songs that would air in between cartoons. There is much mystery over the piece - its true title is Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor. The story told is that Beethoven had written the words Fur Elise on the sheet music and that there must have been some romantic connection to her. In my piece, Elise is but a faded memory of love from long ago, becoming more mysterious as the decades pass.
Fun note: the cut ebony piano keys are made from a portrait of Beethoven from the book.
Valerie Savarie: "Her Heart Belongs To Another" $800
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread. 6.875" x 9.5" x 1.25". Book used: Librettos of the French and German Operas, published 1939
The Beatles “Michelle”
As mentioned earlier, my family was very much into music. Everyone in my family loved the Beatles. Sometimes, my mom would let us pick which music we wanted when getting ready for bed. The Beatles 1962 - 1966 or commonly known as the red album was a wonderful four record set we had (and which I still own). When planning out this piece, I couldn’t decide if Michelle was human or cat. Then it came to me that it could be both! Tiny Michelle kitty living inside the heart of human Michelle = true love.
Valerie Savarie: "My Way" $760
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, , 5.625" x 8.5" x 1.625". Book used: The Class Room Teacher, Vol 11: Art, Geography, The Social Studies, Civics, History, Music, published 1928
Barbara Streisand “Don't Rain On My Parade”
My mom is a HUGE Barbara Streisand fan - as was her mom. I think other than classical, Ms. Streisand was the most played at mom’s house. While getting ready for the show, I watch Funny Girl - the play/movie that the song comes from. Fanny Brice was a successful, driven and unique woman and at the same time very down to earth. Yellow roses are part of the film (and roses are mentioned in the song) and yellow roses are also my mom’s favorite. Lyrics speak of beating her own drum, the rose of perfection, wanting a bite of juicy life (apple). The character in this one is me - doing my own thing, my own way and not letting a little rain get in my way. I have my umbrella just in case things don’t go quite as planned.
Valerie Savarie: "Hope" $780
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouche, water color, vintage thread, 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125". Book used: The Home University Bookshelf, Vol IV "Picture Stories and Music", published 1938
Simone & Garfunkel - “El Condor Pasa (If I Could)"
These guys were favorites of both of my parents - I think even more so after they got divorced. To me the sparrow represents freedom - to fly the skies and land where ever you want, the hammer represents strength and a tool to get things done, the forest is the connection to nature - a place where we can be alone with our thoughts and to feel the earth beneath one’s feet (the embroidered French knots) represents a calmness and connection to things far greater than ourselves. I can see how all of this imagery would speak to someone navigating life on their own.
Valerie Savarie: "Mother's Memories of Childhood” $880
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, 8.875" x 11.625" x 1". Book used: Modern Music and Musicians, Vol I: The Pianist's Guide: Theory, Technique, History, The Opera, published 1918
Rossini “William Tell Overture”
On Sunday mornings as a young child, I can remember watching the reruns of the black and white Lone Ranger show. It was a favorite of my mom’s too. She loved the opening music - William Tell Overture. I can remember her kicking us out of the house, putting the record on, cranking up the stereo full blast and doing her weekly clean of our home to this tune. Even if we were a few houses down, we could still hear the music and when we couldn’t hear it any more, we knew it was time to come home. In this piece, the Lone Ranger is my mom as a child, Hi Ho Silver Away (to get some house cleaning done).
Valerie Savarie: "Ten Cents A Ride” $800
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, vintage thread, rhinestones, metal spring, 8.5" x 11" x .1". Book used: The Old West: The Cowboys, pub. 1974
Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy”
I can remember my dad playing this after my parents divorced. I know it was a hard time for him as my mom was the one who wanted to separate. I never really paid attention to the lyrics until revisiting as an adult for this show. I love how this song really is a story of never giving up on your dreams, no matter how bad things seem to be at the moment. I tied in another childhood memory of “riding the ponies” at the grocery store - such a fun treat after a well behaved visit shopping with mom. This little rhinestone cowgirl is in the spotlight of her dreams all for the cost of one dime.
Valerie Savarie: "Soul Set Free” $700
Hand cut altered book, acryla gouache, water color, 7.25" x 9.5" x 1.125"
Book used: The Bookshelf for Boys & Girls: Vol. IV: Picture Stories & Music", published 1948
Christina Perry “You Are My Sunshine”
Another song that I don’t think I ever knew all the lyrics to. Childhood memories always tied it to happiness, that there will always be someone there to love you, to shine brightly on you, to make you happy. Even though the lyrics get dark, I decided to focus on the child’s memory of happiness. A sun breaking through heart shaped clouds, shedding love on all.
Valerie Savarie: "The Road Home” $700
Hand cut altered book, 5.625" x 8.25" x 1.5". Book used: The Young Folks Treasury, Vol XII: Music and the Fine Arts, published 1917
John Denver “Country Roads”
It’s confession time, I remember this song from childhood however I didn’t like John Denver - having not grown up in Colorado, it wasn’t a sin to think so. Because of the dislike of his music (actually, just his voice), I found this piece quite challenging. The inspiration came very late in the game. A few weeks ago I spent a week up on our property in Cedaredge, CO (Western Slope) living in our newly converted short school bus. It was there that I realized that the country road leading to our land indeed did bring me home. I referenced our land and added in other elements to create the country road that leads to home. I am hoping that once I am living there full time, the fox that I have seen on occasion, will become my friend and welcome me home.