A new home

The bits and pieces of rust and springs and coils that I have stashed away in my collage collection, are beginning to find new homes...

I love this rusty square nut.  I wonder what it held together so long ago.

Two old square nails sprout up at flowers.  Another fastener acts as door.

A coil curves from the peak.

The words from a Danish proverb, "The road to a friend's house is never long" complete the canvas. 

The bits and pieces of a time gone by have found a new home. 

Tell me....

...Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

~Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"

Best

 Summer has settled a bit - into a lazy routine.  I have managed to find a few hours in the studio, here and there.  This 5 x 7 collage is my first completion of the summer.  Using a calendar from an old check register and a bit of blue-print...

I added a little house, a spring, a rusty key hole, and an old button.

The best thing
to hold onto in life
is each other.
-Audrey Hepburn

Discovery

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars

or sailed an uncharted land,

or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

Helen Keller

Quote of the Day-

Words to live by...

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.

-Martha Washington

Collage - Hope

 Another house collage....

Using an old spring and an old hinge...some newspaper scraps...



This love is silent. 
-TS Eliot



The bit of text from an old book wraps around the edge.  It seems to complete the sentiment by saying... "and the time goes quickly."

I am woman

This collage was born of my fascination with inchies.  I made a bunch and wondered what to do with them.  Then I looked for a theme to unite a set of inchies and found I had a large number of them that were woman-oriented.   I set the collage - leaving space for a quotation.  I looked and looked.  I was not satisfied with the words I found.  I wanted something simple and came up with:  I am strong.



I am strong.

 

I can do anything

The words "I am strong" resonated with me - and I thought of the 70's woman's liberation anthem:  I am Woman, Hear me Roar.  The words from the song seemed to fit the images on the collage - with all the variety and dimension of being a woman.


I am woman

 The original collage was flat.  I built the base and continued the lyrics around the sides of the box.  I am thrilled with how this one looks. 


I am invincible

 It is perfect for Mother's Day!


I am wise


I am Woman
(an excerpt of the lyrics by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)
I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Collage - Have Heart

Art Chix Studios is hosting a recycled art challenge on facebook - the deadline is today.  I thought I would put something together to enter in their challenge.  Then, I started looking at the pieces I had recently made.  Most of my art has at least one recycled component, usually more than one. One of my most recent collages- Have Heart, is a perfect example.

The chimney is made from a discarded clothes pin hinge.  I built the wood box, behind the canvas, with scrap wood from our shed.  The paper covering the house is a wrapper from a fine bottle of liquor - a friend gave me the wrapper, not the bottle, because he knew I liked interesting papers. (too bad I didn't get the bottle also!)

The "H" is from a yard sale scrabble game.   The foam core, that forms the house are scraps left over from my daughter's school project. The old buttons are from the button jar. The roof paper and the floral in the background are scraps from my paper box.


"Where there is love, there is life."



All in all, not bad for a piece of "recycled" art.

Collage - Dare

Since several of my collages have found a new home at The Purple Poppy, I have felt driven to complete some that have been left unfinished, or start new ones that had been brewing in my head.  Last week and this weekend, I was able to wrap up several collages.  I am really happy with the results.
I will share this one first.  It's a good Monday message.

Fortune befriends the bold.

Dare

Dare to be bold..., dare to be different..., dare to face the day... the choice is yours.

This collage is built on a flat canvas, with a wooden box behind it.  I used paint, handmade paper with Chinese character, reproduction advertisement and coins, and an old brass pull.  I am pleased with how this one turned out!  I love the sentiment: Fortune befriends the bold. 

Be bold today.

This collage now available at The Purple Poppy in Lafayette, Colorado.

Quote of the Day-

Attitude is a little thing
that makes a big difference.

~Winston Churchill

Quote of the Day-

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life,

but I am realistic enough to know

that life is a complex matter.

-Walt Disney

We had a fabulous time on our spring break trip to Florida.  Here's a shot of two very tired girls waiting for the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom castle.  Disney's empire in Orlando is quite amazing!  The scope and range of parks and themes has changed since I was their age.  The size and sprawl of it has grown immensely, I daresay, insanely.  I don't think that even ole Walt himself would have dreamed it could grow to such epic proportions.

I must say, we had a "magical" time.  It will be one that will go down in our personal memory books, as my daugher said, "The Best Vacation, EVER!"

And as everyone who works there says, " Have a magical day!"



Collage - Really

This collage seemed to develop fairly quickly.  The colors screamed of spring.
The orange and blue stripes are a printed tissue paper over a printed floral paper - I love how the flowers show through.  The quote and image of the two on the motorcycle seem to relate to each other - somehow. 

The key is a rub-on transfer, the text from a book of poetry, the ticket is one of those pesky ones that says "Keep this Coupon"  I never throw them away.

This one may be busier than some of my others - but I see the harmonious aspects, as well.  The lines of in the upper left mimic the lines of the sheet music.  The color palette is somewhat limited and focused.  Repetitive shapes and colors keep it grounded.  The image and variety of letters and elements keep it whimsical.  And the words, so true:

"It is not fair to ask of others

what you are not willing to do yourself."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Really

This collage now available at The Purple Poppy in Lafayette, Colorado.

Quote of the Day-

All our dreams can come true,

if we have the courage to pursue them.

-Walt Disney

Collage - more houses

Collage of three houses, with quotation, vintage stamps and old hardware.

My three house collages.

This is the third in a series of three house collages.  I didn't start out looking to make a series of houses, but they evolved.  The first house, at the far left, was completed sometime last fall.  It was a stand alone piece that I really enjoyed.  I tried a new technique of using foam core to elevate the elements of the collage off the canvas.  I like the look, especially used with the house form. 
The second house is the near right.  I finished this one last month.  It's new element was the use of the fabric pattern as paper.  I love the texture and translucency of the tissuey pattern paper.  The words add a nice touch, too.
The last is the set of three houses.  I incorporate several elements from other collages, including the use of vintage stamps, hardware and game pieces.
I think the set is complete.  They each stand alone, but complement each other, as well.

The road to a friend's house is never long.

-Danish proverb

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the sun shine, all day long,

everything go right, and nothing wrong.

May those you love bring love back to you,

and may all the wishes you wish come true!

~Irish Blessing

Collage - Vision

This collage is made on a square, flat canvas.  I used a vintage advertisement, antique buttons, an assortment of letters, paint and papers to create the collage.  The glasses are a rub-on. 
I used the same herringbone tissue paper on all the sides of the collage.  The paper was difficult to work with, as tissue paper tears quite easily.  The strange blot at the top happened after I had assembled the piece, and was not intentional.  But, I didn't mind the effect.  The aqua coming through the upper right and lower left is remnants of what I had started before.  I didn't like my initial start and went in a completely opposite direction.  I think the turquoise coming through is a happy error - I like the bit of color.  With this piece, I went with some mistakes and liked the end result.
I have started top-coating all my collages with a clear top coat in satin, or flat.  I like how the top coat offers some smoothness to the multiple layers of the collage. 

The quote is:

After all, tomorrow is another day.

-Vivian Leigh

This collage available at The Purple Poppy in Lafayette, Colordao.

Quote of the Day-

You have to have confidence in your ability,

and then be tough enough to follow through.

Rosalynn Carter

Collage - Home

Another collage in a series of Home collages.  This one is created from a vintage sewing pattern, paint and papers.  I used some rusty hardware and an old decorative button.  Again, an odd assortment of letters to spell out the simple word, HOME.  The quote is from one of my favorite poets:

Dwell in possibility.

-Emily Dickinson

So, why am I making all of these collages?  I guess I am not really sure.  It might be some sort of compulsive behavior.  I have oodles of materials.  I am lucky enough to have a designated space.  But, I have not been to art school.  I am not an artist.  I do not show in a gallery or sell at a boutique.  And, for most of these collages, the only people who have even seen these are you (and there aren't many of you, dear reader) and my husband.  So, what in the world am I doing with these?!?  It is a question I keep asking myself. 
I find that if I let the materials sit, if I don't go into the studio, I feel antsy.  I get ideas about what to make, I need put them together.  So I do. 
What am I doing, however?  I guess I dwell in possibility.  I dwell in the possibility that I may someday be able to show them somewhere.  Maybe sell on-line.  or at a coffee house.  I consider the possibility that I may give one as a gift to a friend.  I need courage to make these leaps.  I need to consider myself an artist.  I consider the possibility that I will refine my craft and make them better and more interesting....
Until then, I make more.  I wait for courage.  I dwell in possibility.

Collage - Seriously

Another recently finished collage - I feel like I have been working like a madman madwoman!

This is another collage built on a flat canvas.  I used a reproduction advertisement, a vintage, original letter, decorative paper and paint.  I love the crazy assortment of letters - maybe too much, because I have used them several times.  I used scrap wood (notice the holes) to build a box behind the canvas.  I am trying to pay attention to the details - by carrying my collage around the edges.  In this case I used paint and then free-hand painted the pattern from the paper on the front.  I am not a painter, and this was a challenge for me.  But, I guess, I am trying to challenge myself.  I want to improve my compositions and my technique.  I want to find my groove as a collage artist.


The quotation is one that resonates with me:

A friend is one who knows you
and loves you just the same. 

That's the type of friend I want to be - and the type of friends that I am fortunate enough to have in my life.

Happy Rally Day - and trivia ad nauseum....

I found this sweet postcard invitation for Rally Day

What is Rally Day?  I asked myself. A quick check of Google and Wikipedia, found many possible answers. One source says Rally Day is a "warm-hearted homecoming when friends greet one another again," after Labor Day. There are girl scout rally days, church rally days and legislative rally days. Many car clubs use Rally Day to signify a car show - Rally Day in Wiltsire, England brings 10,000 people together to celebrate rally cars. 
The real Rally Day began at Smith College in 1876 as a celebration of George Washington's birthday. Over the years the celebration has included speeches, awards, performances, music from the glee club, square dancing, carnivals, formal teas, and dinners. This year's Rally Day is today, February 23.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. You probably know all the good stuff he did from your American History courses, but did you know he was a high school drop out and never went to college. He never learned Latin, Greek or any foreign language, like his contemporaries. He married late in life, at the ripe old age of 27 and was the happy step-father to Martha's two children.

While Martha was devoted to George, she was a less willing first-lady and is quoted as saying "I think I am more like a state prisoner than anything else, there is certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from..."

Two year's after his departure from office, George fell ill with pneumonia. The pneumonia probably isn't what killed him, though. Most likely, the doctor's prescribed treatment of blood-letting and doses of Mercury Chloride did him in.

But his legacy as the Father of our Country is what we celebrate on Rally Day. Don't forget to put on your Rally Day hats, and send out your Rally Day cards. Be sure to bake yourself a Martha Washington cake (see recipe below) and celebrate Rally Day!

And certainly, don't forget what Martha said:

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
                                                                                             -Martha Washington

Happy Rally Day!

*****
Martha Washington's Great Cake
(One of Mrs. Washington's favorite recipes- I love how this is written, what about bake times and temps and how big of a pan do you need to accommodate 40 eggs and 4 pounds of butter and sugar?!?!)

Take 40 eggs and divide the whites from the yolks and beat them to a froth. Then work 4 pounds of butter to a cream and put the whites of eggs to it a Spoon full at a time till it is well work'd. Then put 4 pounds of sugar finely powdered to it in the same manner then put in the Yolks of eggs and 5 pounds of flour and 5 pounds of fruit. 2 hours will bake it. Add to it half an ounce of mace and nutmeg half a pint of wine and some fresh brandy.
********

(Although Postcardy pointed out on Postcards, Etc. that my postcard is most likely for a children's Sunday School Rally, I still like all the interesting stuff I dug up. Check out Postcardy for some more George Washington facts.)