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!