"Poppy Fields" - Mixed Media Collage - 20x20

The newest offering.

White Flowers Detail

Well, it's digital, but not a collage. This is a computer enhanced image of a cropped segment of one of my earlier collages (see below). I rather like this image and I'm sure I'll do something with it in the future.

Butterflies & Dragonflies - Digital Collage

Just fooling around on the computer tonight; incorporating images from older collages.

Candy Store

The first time I ever experienced art papers, I was on my way to an art supply store in NYC to experience Diane Townsend's hand made pastel sticks. There I was, walking north on Broadway in the middle of Soho, minding my own business and there it was... Kate's Paperie. I'm not sure just what exactly about it caught my attention; the view through the window, I'm sure, but I couldn't stop myself from entering. I was dumbfounded! I had never realized there were so many kinds of papers, in so many colors and textures and made from so many materials. The experience was euphoric and yet I left empty handed. What could I DO with those papers, I wondered. Eight months later I made my first foray into collage.

I have been back to Kate's a number of times (but it's been way too long) but there's another place that's become a candy store for me. That would be Ex Libris, the campus book and art supply store for the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). 

I do not believe that SCAD has ever built a new building for their college; instead, they have  lovingly remodeled and repurposed already existing buildings all over the city of Savannah and the Ex Libris is no exception. Built in the mercantile style at the turn of the 20th century, it was originally a salvage and sales building. It was beautifully restored and retains the original wide plank hardwood flooring and central staircase embellished with wrought iron. A new twist on the architecture is support columns adorned with books.

They feature a coffee bar on the first floor and comfy chairs and sofas for cozying up as well as tables and chairs among the books. Floors two and three; however, are devoted to art supplies. The selection is endless. And their selection of art papers is delicious. I usually try to get there before the new semester starts in January; before the students return so I can have first pick. Since I didn't get to Savannah until February, I wasn't so lucky this year, but there were still a lot of scrumptious papers to choose from. Mouth watering! 

When I moved two years ago and downsized my studio, I promised myself that I would not buy new papers again for a long time as I already had hundreds from which to choose. But... two years is already a long time and I couldn't resist adding a few new sheets to the collection. ;D

Ah, yes! The art papers!

If you know my personal palette, you know I bought a sheet of this!

Yes, it looks familiar. I have used this same pattern in black and white; so of course, I bought it in black and natural, too.

With great effort I resisted this pretty paper.

You can barely make it out, but on the 2nd pass, I was drawn to the second sheet from the bottom and added it to my collection. It's quite beautiful and contains lots of gold metallic ink.

If you look closely, the student sitting on the right side is flashing me the peace sign.

Just one of the fascinating book pillars.

Stained glass window over the check out counter.

"Blue" - Digital Collage

The medium of digital collage fascinates me and I'd love to spend more time playing with it. It's so different from my paper/mixed media collages in that I can create without getting my hands dirty. In fact, I can create a digital collage in bed. It's created completely on the computer. And then, if and when I hit upon something I really like, I can print it out on watercolor paper and maybe even add other collage elements to the printed piece. The possibilities are endless.

I'll be away from my studio for a little while, so there's a good possibility I'll be playing with this medium for the next week. Or maybe not; we'll see where the mood takes me.

(And Connie R., if you're reading this, I'm sure you recognize the sculpture! ;D)

Three Sunflowers - Mixed Media Collage - 20x20

The sunflowers are finished at last!

Here is a side view showing how the image wraps around the sides.

And here's a re-cap of the steps toward completion of this piece. 

 

 

I think I'm going to stick with this floral theme for the show at Yellow Springs, at least in my four major pieces. Hmmm... what flower should I do next?

Upcoming Shows

I have a few shows coming up this spring for which I've promised to keep you updated regarding dates.

The first exhibit is a solo showing at Flickerwood Wine Cellars Tasting Room in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The exact address is 116 West State Street. The opening reception is scheduled for Sunday, March 27 from 3-6 pm and will feature a wine tasting of six varieties from the Flickerwood Cellars. The following Friday, April 1, Flickerwood will also participate in the Kennett Square First Friday Art Stroll - hours are from 6:30-9:30 pm with live music and a beach theme, and I will be there as well. My artwork will be exhibited through Friday, April 29. If you've never been, the Wine Tasting Room is very quaint and situated right in the heart of charming downtown Kennett Square.

For more information, the Flickerwood website is: Tasting Room and you can follow them on Facebook: Tasting Room on FB

On April 30, the Art Show at Historic Yellow Springs in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania opens where I'll have 32 pieces of original artwork on exhibit  (different from the artwork at Flickerwood). There are about a couple hundered artists who participate in this show and it lasts through Sunday, May 15. Their website is as follows, but it hasn't yet been updated to advertise the spring exhibit: Yellow Springs Art Show

Lastly, the gals in The Artsy Girls Guild (TAGG) and I will be exhibiting together in an ensemble show titled "Animal Crackers" in May at the Oxford Arts Alliance in Oxford, Pennsylvania. I don't have the exact dates for this exhibit yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out. FYI, their website is: OAA

So, that's the skinny. I'll post all of this information on my website shortly. (Sigh) It's been a long while since I've updated my website and it's not going to be an easy task, but it has to be done ASAP! Wish me luck.