Etchings and credit

Here's the piece I finished last night, entitled "Beauty on Trial". It's now the the third piece I have done with some of the etchings from the 19th Century "The Art Journal" (refer to my last post) as my "base" element. I love these etchings and I REALLY enjoy working on collages which enhance (?) the etchings. But here's the conundrum... I'm not at all worried about copyright considerations by using these etchings elements; what I am feeling a little strangely about (and I don't usually have this feeling) is how much "credit" I can take for the inherent beauty in these pieces. The etchings give me a distinct "advantage"; a "head start", if you will, when it comes to the aesthetic appeal of these compositions. I rarely worry about this with other collages I have done. Perhaps I just appreciate so much the technical quality of the etchings. Of course, it will not stop me from doing more collages in this "series'. I am SO happy to be "re-purposing" these images into my collages and letting some of the world see them again after 140 years!

The Art Journal (1879)

As I have mentioned a number of times in my posts over the years, I often travel (with friend and fellow collage artist Anthony Morgan) to the Farmersville Auction in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to procure sources of elements for my collage work. Earlier this summer when we were there, I didn't see much in which I was interested... EXCEPT for three volumes of "The Art Journal" from the late 19th Century. The books themselves were kind of beat up -- one was a mess, in terms of intact cover. But the etchings in these books were preserved and were exquisite! Most of the stuff in this massive weekly auction sells for pretty cheap prices. In the past, I've gotten a number of boxes of vintage books for $5-$10 each. For the past three or four years, though, I have had to deal with some bidding competition from a couple of women who I would assume run either a vintage book store, or some kind of re-purpose home decor shop (I think they sometimes frame individual pages and sell them). This results in books that I want for collage, selling for $12-$25. It's not like I can't afford it; but when you're bidding for things at an auction, sometimes you can run-up a bill. Anyway, the three art journals were not really worth much for resale, given their condition; and I told Anthony that I REALLY wanted them. I also was cognizant that I drove 5 hours and would've felt frustrated if I didn't go home with anything. So, I was committed to getting them. The bidding started at the usual $5; then $10; then $20; then $30. It was this woman and I bidding in rapid succession. When the bidding surpassed $100, a number of people started looking around. I mean, this is A LOT for this auction! And I think folks were wondering why these books were so valuable. We quickly got to $190. I fired back with $200... then she hesitated. I had a good feeling that the books were going to be mine. She bid $210 and I came over the top with $220.... The auctioneer acknowledged, "$220... $230?... $220... $230?". After a moment, he shouted... "SOLD!". My bid held up. The woman next to me said, "People are looking at your like you're crazy". I replied with a smile "That's because I am". I was pretty sure that I got a good deal; but I was certainly not used to bidding that high for something I was going to cut up for collage elements. When I got home and took a closer look, I was SO HAPPY! Here are just a few samples of the images that I now have to work with. They are such detailed etchings. The journal boasts of their "steel etchings" as unique. I must have 50-60 such images. DEFINITELY worth $220 to this collagist! And you'll be seeing remnants of these in my work this year. I think I will dedicate another post to my feelings about "taking credit" when I use these elements.

Broad Street Gallery exhibit

Here are some photos of the artists and the layout of the exhibit in Hamilton, NY...

"Looking Glass"

Lately, I have been very excited to finally be getting some artwork produced again. The months of chipping away at cleaning and doing a little organizing of my studio has helped; as has having an upcoming show. Last night -- after a lot of experimentation with various elements -- I was able to finalize this composition to have it done in time to bring to the gallery later today. This piece is entitled "Looking Glass". Viewers from the North America who have some familiarity with vintage pop music might be able to guess the reason for that title.