New Year's Eve

Well, I guess that will do it for another year. I was hoping to have more posts this year than last; but I ran a little short (mostly because of my sabbatical). I am so pleased to have become a Signature Member of the National Collage Society this year. I consider it my biggest accomplishment of the year! I was also happy to show my work at Arkell (in Canajoharie, NY) and at the Old Forge Library (in Old Forge, NY) with my friend and art comrade Sue Firsching. I am REALLY looking forward to "The End is Near" exhibit at Utica College this spring with 10 other interesting collage artists. And of course, I am happy to be helping Jonathan Talbot with his workshop at Utica College. Not sure what else the new year will bring. I have a number of works-in-progress and I feel like trying some new things. Thanks to all of you who check out this blog site every once in a while. Like teaching, artists need very little reinforcement... but we do need some (and it is always greatly appreciated). Wishing anyone who reads this a very healthy, happy and productive year to come! Enjoy!

mat and frame

I posted this piece as an image on Nov. 18th, but just got the mat and frame done for it. I am always impressed with how much the correct "treatment" can enhance an artwork. I'm very pleased with the way this ne looks now framed. I am working on a "partner" piece for it now. Enjoy!

South Side Sally?

Just finished this piece today. Seems a propos for the upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations. Enjoy!

Jacques de la Villegle

Saw this piece in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City the weekend before Christmas and just thought I'd share it here. It's entitled "bleu O noir" (1955). Enjoy!

resonance

I work quite often on my collages. I really enjoy the process, so why not. In fact, I think I am officially obsessed with collage. I really enjoy looking for elements; I really enjoy looking at others' collages; I think about my on-going collage projects pretty regularly; I really enjoy talking to other people (who are interested) about art in general and my collage efforts specifically; I even occasionally finish a piece here and there ;-) Most of the collages I create I "like" (which is probably pretty natural); but others I create I "REALLY like" (or "love"). I was very excited yesterday (Christmas eve day) to finally complete, mat and frame a piece I've been working on for a couple weeks. This is a piece I think I "love". I show it here from collage "surgery" to finished and framed. It's entitled "I began to experience the effects at around 3000" (8" x 6"). Enjoy!

"Corvu"

I found 6 of these small frames at a garage sale... cheap. They're kind of nice because the way they're cut, they have a "built in" spacer, which gives a slightly shadow-boxy look. Anyway, here is a small format collage (only 4.5 x 5.5") that I just kind of threw together for the frame. I liked the way it turned out. Enjoy!

continued serendipity

Whilst I was coating this vintage (and colorized) photo recently, two interesting things happened. Since the photo is hand-colored, when I was brushing the acrylic medium onto the surface, it started to smear the paint (it must be water-soluble). I quickly became much more careful about applying the medium. Here's the other thing... I have to apply the medium to both sides and when I turned the photo over, I noticed how beautiful were the colors and pattern of the ripped paper on the back of the photo. I will consider using the back rather than the photo itself when I use this piece (although I have n immediate plans for it at this point). You just never know what you'l "happen across" with this medium. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

coincidence or subliminal?

Last night I was reading "Collage: Assembling contemporary art" (Black Dog Publishing) when I came across this image of a piece entitled "Pleiades" by Max Ernst (1920). I was struck by the Ernst's inclusion of a colored leg (I'm still not certain whether it is painted or another collage element), because I was playing with this idea last week in my studio (see man braced with one arm). I have had that book for a while (and haven't looked at it in over a year) but don't consciously remember ever seeing the Ernst image. Interesting. Either this is a cool coincidence or some kind of vaguely subliminal influence (which I seriously question). Nonetheless, I think it's kind of cool. Enjoy!

Cornell in NYC?

I was struck by this holiday window treatment at the Russian Samovar in New York City. It was so Cornellian! I should have asked the owners if they were inspired by Cornell or if the similarity to some of Cornell's work was coincidental. Enjoy!

Reverse collage photo?

I was in New York City this past weekend. I still enjoy taking "tourist-y" shots in NY. I posted this one on FB and it got MANY positive comments; so I thought I would share it here as well. In some ways, it reminds me of some of my collage work, except the stars are in front of the building instead of behind it. Enjoy!

the finished product

Here's what I put on "the canvas". I'm not really sure I like how it turned out; but it would be difficult to change at this point. You can see it "live" next week at The Green Onion on Genesee St. in Utica, NY. Enjoy!

the "canvas"

Last of the flight holders for The Onion in Utica. This is a work-in-progress. I have put down the "background" elements and now will continue with placements of weird images. This one is a bit of a departure from the earth-tone palette of the first three. I'll be very interested in how folks respond to this style after seeing the other. Will post the finished product soon! Enjoy!

Rome Art and Community Center exhibit

Two of my artist friends are showing work at the Rome Art and Community Center through January 13th. Tom McCarthy is a colleague of mine at Utica College. He studies invertebrate behavior (lots of cricket work) and teaches biology. But he is also an award-winning photographer who is particularly interested in the way light can produce weird effects in his photography. Sybil Johnson I met when I was taking watercolor classes with Ralph Murray (RIP). Sybil is an accomplished painter who is regularly working on commissions for all sorts of folks. The exhibits are definitely worth checking out. Enjoy!

Arkell Annual Juried Exhibit

Here are a few pieces from the current exhibit at The Arkell Museum in Canajoharie, NY. In my opinion, the exhibit is REALLY strong... definitely worth the trip to see. "Mother and Child" by Sally Dill; "Arizona 1" by Linda Hinckle; "Loving It" by Paul G. Kant and of course, yours truly standing next to "It's Not Always Black-and-White". And finally, someone spelled "Steven" correctly with a "V" rather than a "Ph". Enjoy!