INTERVIEW IN BUFFALO RISING

An online interview that explains what I am doing and why. Find me at Art Buff: Elizabeth Leader - Buffalo Rising Thanks to everyone who read it and sent notes!

TOY STORY

Exploring around Syracuse I found this broken little racecar on Lodi Street and thought it could be part of a ‘Toyology’ box. As usual I didn’t have a clue to its identity. Even the internet didn’t help. The experts at Clayton’s Gifts & Toys in Williamsville solved the mystery. It’s an electric Artin Slot Car Racer. I learned that slot cars fit in the ‘slots’ of special tracks and are powered by hand-held controllers. It’s apparently a sub-culture hobby and increases in seriousness all the way up to national competitions! Sounds like a great way for guys to get together in a man-cave, have a few beers and try to drive each other off the road. (See the set up in the second picture.) I am making a few more assemblages based on things seen and found in Syracuse. A good portion of the ‘Toyology’ series will be on view at the Community Folk Art Center in Syracuse, as part of THE OTHER NEW YORK 2012.

WHAT'S BECOME OF THOSE 3 SYRACUSE WOMEN

On March 4th, I posted 3 photos discovered at the Syracuse Antiques Exchange. These women are visible again as part of my "discarded ancestors" collage series. I've combined them with photos I took of abandoned places around Lodi and Salina Streets. Mixed in are bits and pieces of graffiti, old books and whatever. How things have changed.....

UNLUCKY ANGEL FROM SYRACUSE

I'm working on some new "Toyology" pieces...this time based on things I saw and found in Syracuse. Suffering from the same economic decline as other Upstate cities, Syracuse is filled with amazing abandoned houses.
I found this little broken angel in the backyard of a Lodi Street house. All the pieces are coming together in an assemblage that will be in the TONY (The Other New York) show in Syracuse. Lots more work coming. My pieces will be at the Community Folk Arts Center, opening August 18, 2012.

SILO CITY, BUFFALO, NY

"Boomdays" a celebration of Spring, gave us a chance to visit grain elevators without trespassing for a change! These 'cathedrals of industry' are something everyone should have a chance to see. Inspiring to be inside.