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.

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"....

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).

Intensity

This one took me 6 friggin' hours to get to a point where I could even stand it! Ugh, why do we artist type of people do this to ourselves? I think I'm going to do a nice simple pastel painting next. These abstracts are sucking the life out of me.

Meanwhile....as I was in abstract hell....my friend Melanie was across the work table from me quietly going about the business of creating some great layered collage papers. I think she let out a couple of suppressed giggles while listening to my lunatic rants about the abstract I was creating.

Promises

"To everything there is....a time to build up...a time to break down....a time to dance...a time to mourn....a time to cast away stones...a time to gather stones together...."



Any of us who believe we can control our destinations, our paths are sorely mistaken. The universe and our Earth will do what must be done no matter how advanced our human engineering, achievements and technology.



Prayers and blessed thoughts to those who are suffering, afraid or bewildered.

Thaw

Take pieces of an antique quilt from the 1800's, torture some Tyvek on top of the woodstove, open the door to let out the cookin' Tyvek fumes, fray some cheesecloth, acrylic paints, pigments and finally lay down some stray fibers. Earth - renew thyself!

Can't See the Forest for the Trees

I live very close to this great artist friend and every once in awhile, when the moon is right and all the stars are aligned, we are able to spend some creative time together. This afternoon we messed around exploring mixed media art. I created this piece from part of a failed textile piece, modeling paste (please don't ever take this away from me), other fibers, a shell fragment and a healthy dose of paint. Can I spend every Sunday afternoon like this? Please?

Un-Earthed

Last week I was asked to participate in a painting demonstration during a gallery reception. I started this that night. This morning I woke up with images flying through my head (kind of like sugarplums dancing but a bit less merry) so I grabbed a cup of coffee, squeezed out some paint and began layering. This might be done...or not...but for now it's going to stay on the easel so it can be contemplated and considered.

Yesterday at the Wallkill River School I gave a class on abstract painting that turned into being more of a Mixed Media abstract art class. We had a ton of fun and the 6 hrs (whew!) flew by. The participants were amazing. They were adventurous and dug right into creating texture and images with found objects, rubbing alcohol, plastic, molding paste, etc. I brought my camera but - of course - forgot to take photos. The piece above is what I created. We're going to do the class again in November and they want to mess around with the 'fabric paper' that I make. I heard a few "oooohs" when I described this mixed media 'paper' that is made from sheer fabric and can be either machine or hand stitched. I'll try to remember to take photos during that session!

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.

Finished Pieces

Thought I'd show you 2 recent pieces after they have been completed. I added free motion stitching to the one above and another small piece of fabric that I made. I like the unexpected red. The piece below had foils and paint added to it. Interesting how the paint infused the piece with energy - previously it had been very subtle and quiet.

Spring

I painted this on cloth this morning.

And then started laying in some hand stitching.

A friend of my husband's passed away unexpectedly this week. His fall down stairs caused a life taking injury. Something that could happen to anyone of us at any time...quite unnerving.

This month has been emotional for me. Not quite sure why this is but I am longing for a sense of contentment to return. Have to say my husband is hoping (praying on bended knees?) I return to myself. He has been a less than willing target of some of my internal conflict....poor guy.

More on Longing

Sometimes I feel a longing for something just a bit beyond sight and reach...just beyond my human understanding and knowledge. Can anyone else relate to this feeling?

Spring

The museum suggested (if I was so inclined) to create some work for their shop with a subliminal spring time feeling. So...I thought...why not some abstracty eggs?..eggs being a great rebirth image. I painted these this morning and might try some machine stitching this afternoon.

On another note, last weekend the Wallkill River School had a 'starving artists' sale and 5 of my pieces sold (!!!!). As many of you know proceeds from much of my artwork sales goes to help fund the art scholarships my husband and I have created that enables many area youngsters to participate in art programming at this school. To all of you who purchased work I thank you and send out a huge hug.

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!