behind the scenes

Thought I would just post a couple of shots of me preparing for the Dinner 'n' Collage event. Getting the substrates ready for the collages we did is a bit of a time-consuming process. I learned the technique from Jonathan Talbot. Although my composition area is 4 inches instead of the 3-inch area Jonathan uses. The technique allows an individual to create quite an impressive small collage (even if they have had no prior artistic experience). Part of that comes from the fact that it is a substrate that "allows" the creator to ignore the edges of the substrate (although some folks really still 'look' for the edges). The technique also emphasizes "framing" of a piece. So anyway, not all that exciting, but here I am prepping the 300lb watercolor paper. Enjoy!

Black Gryphon "Dinner 'n' Collage"

My good friend Anthony Morgan is the owner (and chef) of The Black Gryphon. He is an amazing patron of the arts as he regularly features visual artists, musicians and thespians at the restaurant. He also is committed to fund-raising for various worthy causes. On Monday, he hosted a "Dinner 'n' Collage" event with me as the "collage director". I think the event went well and folks created some interesting pieces. Here are some photos. Enjoy!

Ekphrastic piece

This piece was created in response to the following poem by my colleague Dr. Gary Leising, in the English Department at  Utica College (I will re-post a better photo in the next day or two... I was just excited to get this posted now):

I have heard of people being born with tails or webbed feet,

so why do you not believe I have a lizard tongue

darting out then in, in then out, testing the air,

tasting the scent of meat on a neighbor’s barbecue.

I tell my wife the cut of pork—loin—the sauce’s

flavor—honey garlic—before my fleshy forked tongue

runs the rim of my thin, nearly nonexistent lips.

Why must it be forked? I wonder at the mirror,

why a snake- or Komodo-dragon-like thing

for years scaring away clients on sales calls, women

in singles bars folding a tiny clutch under an arm,

scooting with Scotch or a martini to a dim corner spot?

I want so little – not even a human tongue,

but a chameleon’s, a long, precise projectile;

from ten feet I could hit Roosevelt’s nose

on a dime. As the daiquiri-drinking busty

blonde moves away, she won’t know what hits her,

a fleshy arrow suctioning to the highest point

of her model perfect, lightly rouged high cheekbone.

more student work

Just thought I'd post a couple more collages that my students have made in our 1-credit collage course here at Utica College. They're doing some really nice work (and they're really enjoying it too, methinks). Enjoy!

Memory project piece

Wow... this was a tough one. If you look back at my November 17th post, you will see the photograph that I received as part of The Memory Project from which I was to make an artwork. I admit to having "cheated" somewhat in that I made a color copy of the photo and used that as a template for this work. The challenge came from finding the palette of elements and making pieces that "looked good" as they were being placed on the substrate. I am pretty pleased with how this turned out. I hope that the child in Africa is pleased when he receives it. Enjoy!

The Black Gryphon in Elizabethtown, PA

I am part of a two-person exhibit at The Black Gryphon until the first of April and will be doing an event we're calling "Dinner & Collage" during which I will be demonstrating and helping everyone do a small collage after a wonderful dinner prepared by Anthony Morgan and his staff. Should be a good time. I couldn't resist posting this photo of my name on the "marquee". Enjoy!

another student collage

This collage was created in my collage class at Utica College last night by Ashley Goguen. I really like the way this one turned out. Nice depth, nice contrast and VERY nice use of various didactic interactions between the subjects in the composition. Nice job Ashley! Enjoy!