Still creating collage pieces based on Laura Tringali Holmes' challenge of using a vintage target image. This one is created from paper shapes from a magazine. Looks kind of Romanesque with some organic type of suggestions rising out of the columns to meet a new day.

 Building A Mystery - 16x20" Paint and Paper

Secret Numbers - 16x20" Paint, Papers and Stitching

 

 Spring - 8x10" Papers and Stitching

 

Emerge - 9x12" Papers and Stitching

 

Wonder if anyone sees or reads this blog any longer. It's been quite awhile since my last posting due to computer issues and just plain human operational error! Blog neglect aside, I have been busy creating art. In the past months, inspired by the Target Practice collages (see previous post) I've been exploring the world of paint, papers and glue. Above are some samplings. I plan on continuing with these and have a thought of creating a series inspired by my love of quilts....we shall see...one never knows what will or will not take shape.

Plans

Yesterday I created this collage from a gelatin plate print, transferred images, paper images and additional layers of paint. It measures about 10x8". But what I really need to be doing is building some clay pieces for the wood kiln firing that begins in a couple of weeks. Firing in a wood kiln produces some amazing effects that suggest old, old, old. What is more enticing than an ancient artifact? Not much!

The vessel below was created by Ben Richey and give you a good idea of some great wood fired YUM effects.

Early Morning Exercises

Two more ATC's done early today. Darn, this morning art making is becoming a trend but now it really is time to do something related to the vacuum and dust rag. Maybe more art fun this afternoon as a reward?

In the Beginning

An early morning artist trading card collage. Much like our winter weather it gives me a feeling of 'other worldliness'...or maybe....just plain weird and bizarre!

And now I'm off and running and hope to jam pack my weekend with lots of interesting garage sales, fun with the husband, good food and a glass of wine or two. Enjoy.

Working on a Collage

Hmmmmm.....I took the gelatin printed on tracing paper collage from the other week and added some layers of paint and transparencies......hmmmmmm. It measures about 13" x 13".

Collage

I created a bunch of gelatin monotype prints on tracing paper and proceeded to rip them up. Then, with help of matte medium, I arranged them into a collage. The colors are a bit brighter in real life than this photo. I'm still trying to figure out if I like this technique or not so...I'm going to take Zeke for a walk and enjoy this sunny afternoon.
Oh...and...it measures about 13" x 15"....

Red Eggs Nested in Ruins

My friend Melanie tells me I should post the sizes of my paintings. She said this after seeing one painting in person and saying "who knew it was this large?" Coming in at only artist trading card size (2.5" x 3.5") if seeing this painting in real life one would have to say "who knew it was this small?"

Small Wonders

A couple of weeks ago I met Laura, a lovely and talented collage artist who does lots of artist trading card sized art. Her collages are chock full of emotion and sentiment. I found them quite compelling. Laura frames these wonderful 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" pieces of art in larger white mats and they look fantastic. The large mat pulls you right in to view the small jewel they contain. Laura's work inspired me to create more ATC sized work....and....so...I did....(available in my Etsy shop should the spirit move you).

Portals

So many roads, so many possibilities...sometimes the issue with choices is the unknown. What about this, what about that? The trick is to be able to make a rational decision based in reality...and the realities in any given situation can be diverse and complex. Crystal balls not withstanding, it's often difficult to know which door to choose....door #1, door #2 or door #3? The consequences can be a bit higher than those of a game show.

Another Visit

Back in the day I used to sell art work on Ebay. It was mucho fun and I made many friends in the Ebay group chat rooms (some of whom I have met in real life and remain friendly with to this day). Every month a NibbleFest Art Contest was held. Artists would post auction pieces for a week and - get this - the starting bid was only 99 cents. This was a contest where the winner could certainly be the buyer! Anyhow, this contest is still running and the next one begins on 7/20. I plan to put this mixed media collage ACEO (look it up if you don't know what these darlings of the Ebay world are) up for auction. If you're interested in seeing what NibbleFest art work is up for auction (some of which will be good) go to Ebay later in the day on 7/20 and type in NFAC in the search bar. Also, keep checking back daily for additions because - remember - these are artists posting the auctions....we aren't always the best at organizing ourselves to meet deadlines so listings will continue to be posted throughout the week.

Take masonite board, coat it with gesso, apply torn pieces of gelatin printed papers, scrape on some modeling paste, layer on acrylic paint, rub back and pull up said acrylic paint, layer on more paint, pull back (you get the idea), add a final image of torn paper and call it a day...or rather a night, yesterday at about midnight.

Explore

Melanie over at her My Croft blog has posted information about a free, 10 day online course that encourages you to dig deeper into those underneath layers of your mind. Unearthing that which moves us, draws us, calls us, talks to us (you get my point) can help churn the creative waters. If you are interesting in some self-exploration please check out this link to Shelley Klammer's workshop and enjoy your travels! Free E-Course, Deepening Creativity

Communities

Chapter 1
Awhile back when I was still selling on Ebay I was contacted by Michelle who wanted to know if I was interested in displaying and selling my work at her Handmade Gallery. This shop was connected to the Wallkill River School in a local town. Michelle is a young woman whose blog title makes me laugh, knowing her as I do. She is a talented, sensitive soul with a heart of gold and the energy of a child. Anyway, after becoming involved with the Handmade Gallery I met Janet. Janet is a mixed media and jewelry artist. I remember this gorgeous beaded necklace she created that took her months to finish and was so filled with sparkle and wonder that just about everyone who came in the shop ooh'd and ah'd over it.

Chapter 2
Ebay decided to change up a lot of their fees and policies, making it a hostile selling world for small-time, individual artists. Because of this an Ebay seller decided to setup her own artist internet auction site (unfortunately this site was not successful). I became somewhat involved with this auction site and 'met' a lady by the name of Billie there. Billie is a wonderful person who does incredible assemblages, collages and other mixed media work. Billie and I realized we were both from the Hudson Valley, in fact we were - basically - neighbors.

Chapter 3
I encouraged Billie to contact Michelle at the Handmade Gallery since I felt it was necessary that the shop have Billie's work. Now, due to my busy life and lack of time for socializing Billie and I were never actually able to meet but Billie did go to Michelle's shop and while there met Janet (remember Janet from Chapter 1?). Serendipity was at work here....Janet and Billie became fast friends and more than a year later they are creative buddies who have become very close. I like to say I 'match-made' the friendship of these two ladies.

Chapter 4
Fast forward to Dec 2008. The Handmade Gallery has closed its doors but, as a result of the shop's association with the Wallkill River School, I have become involved with the WRS and have started to mess around with pastel painting. Just before the holidays last year the WRS hosted an art & craft fair. As I was unloading my car to setup I saw Janet arrive with another woman. Often my psychic radar works well, and I knew immediately that it was Billie. We had a grand time finally meeting each other, gabbing up a storm and marveling at how connections can lead us down interesting paths.

Chapter 5
Michelle and I still stay connected and see each other as we're able. Janet, Billie and I plan to keep in better touch and hope to spend some creative time together. I have a strong bond with the WRS and - at times - help plan some small events. Aren't communities marvelous?

The cloth above was created by dyeing, discharging, soy waxing, over painting and print painting. Perhaps later today I'll get a chance to drop in some stitiching.

Art Cloth from Art

If you visit this blog once in awhile you might remember this collage from a couple of weeks ago. Welllll...someone told me about Spoonflower . Spoonflower (don't you just love that name?) enables you to take your image and have it printed on fabric. Below is the fabulous cloth that arrived in the mail yesterday. Both the print quality and the fabric are high quality. I am very happy and ideas are swirling - big time - in this head.

What Lies Beneath

A collage I made last night while discussing emotions and how they can effect your health.

The photos aren't so great but the top piece was created from an old tattered quilt with an added hand dyed and stitched center focal. The bottom piece is a revised version of one of the collages from yesterday's post. I'm working on developing better color contrasting skills and think that this version works much better.

Mixed Media

I'm having my own little love affair with collage mania here in the Hudson Valley this morning. Life is good!

Apple Shrine

Given my affinity for apples (both as food and as imagery) I chose to paint this still life in pastel class last night....and boy-oh-boy did I ever struggle (1/2 the painting has been cut off since I'm hating it). Even though this painting wasn't easy for me I do like this finished image...more for it's weird ribbony effect and odd composition than for anything else.

Meanwhile I woke up with inspiration - love inspiration, don't you???? Why can't I paint and texturize artist gallery wrapped canvases and then stitch on my fabric paper and other collage elements as desired? I have an art mission this weekend. Yea!

Renewal

Due to broken refridgerators (and the need to immediately shop for a replacement), overwhelmingly busy work days and various other assorted unexpected life things...I was unable to submit this piece by the deadline dead for the SAQA trunk show. Oh well, stuff happens.

Hopefully, Renewal will find a happy home as an auction piece in Fiberarts for a Cause Collage Mania to benefit the American Cancer Society. Please click on the link to be amazed at the total $ that have been raised by Virginia Spiegel and her team in the past few years. You'll be impressed!