Sand Art, 1969

Artist: Sylvenna (Sylvania?) Oden.
Wacousta, Michigan.
Marked in the following way:
"145, 5-16-69
Sylvenna Oden, Painted June 1969"

I don't know why there are two dates. Perhaps one date for when she completed and numbered it and one when it was given to my father when he joined the Masonic lodge. The local lodge is number 359 F&AM. (Free and Accepted Masons)

Mrs. Oden did many such sandstone "paintings" - she would collect small bits of sandstone from the local Lookinglass River and some was given to her by kids in the neighborhood (myself included). She would grind it in a mortar and mix it with milk. Dry sand/grit was stored in tiny glass babyfood jars. I believe there was an article in the Lansing State Journal in the 1960s or 1970s about her. I can't find it.