Tic Tac Hearts

This is one of my summer collages - a Hearts Tic Tac Toe.  The words are on the outside edges of the piece. 

"ENJOY" runs up the left side of the frame.

Made with a flat canvas board, painted black.

"LOVE" is printed across the top of the collage.

Hearts from foam core, painted and covered with a variety of papers.

"EMBRACE" runs down the right side of the collage.

Scrap wood make the frame behind; then painted and lettered.

"LIFE" is printed on the bottom of the collage.

 This one is very different from my other work.  A sort of experiment, but I am pleased with how it turned out.  I like the simplicity and the patterns.  I like its hidden sentiment.  This collage and more are available at The Purple Poppy.

EMBRACE - LOVE - ENJOY - LIFE

What to Be?

I have spent some time in my studio recently, experimenting with new designs and styles.  This is one of my latest.  I almost always use words, so I decided to use lots of words.  I still used a variety of patterned papers (on the sides), some vintage hardware (on the top) and a few old buttons.  I like the conversation this one generates.
Inspired by words and repetition...Looking at simplicity and pattern...

Accessorized with brightly colored and patterned papers on each sides... and vintage buttons on the corners....

Even the back has advice for you...

This very bossy collage has something to say.

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

Time to slow down

The school year has come to a close and it sure did fly by.  Thinking about time - and it's ever increasing speed, I thought about two things.  The first was a conversation with my 12 year-old, who one night when I was tucking her in, said, "Mom, time is going by too fast. I wish it would just slow down."
I almost cried.  She's only 12.  If time is whipping by for her now, what will it feel like when she's my age? 

The second was at dinner several months ago.  My 9 year old was looking out the window, got up from the table, grabbed her camera and said, "I've got to take a picture."  Resisting the urge to tell her to return to the table and eat, I joined her outside.  She took several beautiful photos - that wouldn't wait until after dinner. 

In that moment, we both slowed time, and enjoyed that moment. 

Slow down and enjoy life.

It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast -

you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

- Eddie Cantor

Enjoy the moment.

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 - Flower

This collage was an experiment - it is one that sat, partially finished, for months.  I liked it, but wasn't sure how to finish it. It is feels so different from some of my other work.

I experimented with paint and color

With materials and technique

With words and composition

In the end, I like the overall effect.  I like the use of words, the overall theme, the brightness and color.  But this one seem more of a struggle for me.  I don't think it's really my "style." 
It was bugging me that it sat unfinished for so long, I couldn't totally abandon it.  So I added the back, used more brightly colored patterned paper on the sides and call it complete.
Now, I can move back to some of my other work.  Stay tuned for more collage...

Quote of the Day-

Attitude is a little thing
that makes a big difference.

~Winston Churchill

Best Heart Forward

An earlier collage - using an foam core heart covered in handmade paper and wrapped in wire.  Mounted on a painted canvas with a flash card and assorted words. I framed this one as I was looking for a solution to make the flat canvases more finished. 
I really don't think it's the best solution.  I am in the process of "building boxes" to mount all of my canvases on.  Boy, that sounds so impressive, really I am just cutting scrapwood to fit and gluing on the back to create an illusion of a true box.  Then, I finish the edges of the wood with paint or paper.  I will mount this one on a box soon and show you photos soon. Then you can be the judge.
Regardless, I like the sentiment on this one.  I like the use of lots of words.  This one is small, 5x7, so it didn't need much more.  When I re-work it, I will post a photo.
In the meantime I have been madly building boxes and finishing my canvases with extra special details.  I have a exciting news, but I don't want to jinx it by talking too soon.  I will keep you posted.

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

Overheard -

"There are two types of people, lumpers and splitters."


"Huh?"


"Those that look for commonalities with others and those that look for differences."

Which type are you?

It is such an interesting use of terminology.  I was confused by the lumpers and splitters reference.  But, then again, I wasn't part of the conversation - I was eavesdropping.  I know, shame on me.  I couldn't help myself, sitting at the table alone, while my dining partner was in the restroom.  Don't tell me you haven't done the same. 

But the words caught my ear, and I listened for the explanation.  It makes sense if you think about it.

And, I guess I am a lumper.    I look for similarities.  I look for what brings us together, not what drives us apart.  What about you?

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.