Digital COVID piece

I cam across this beautiful piece on the Face Book site for Collage Artists of America. It was created by Steffi Smith and is entitled "Don't Touch Your Face"

Premature, but...

A year or so ago, someone posted on a blog that they enjoyed reading about art, instead of just seeing blogs that consisted solely of posted artwork. I realize that I am being a bit premature with posting this particular image; but I thought the "story" behind it might be of some interest. It has been an interesting month. I have had more free time to do artwork that I have had in a while. The problem is, I find that when I have more free time, I tend to use it much less efficiently. Yesterday was the first time I have been in my studio in weeks. I finished up the COVID piece with the crying boy. I also did some work on another piece I had started. Then I felt a little "lost". I felt very NONcreative. I felt like I "didn't have it in me". I poured myself a pint of beer and sat staring off into space for a little while. Then I decided to re-motivate and head downstairs again to explore. I had coated an interesting elements last month, in an attempt to push my work to be a little larger (not out of pressure, but out of a sense of trying something new). I started cutting that prepared piece. Cutting (and coating) is something that I can do when I'm not feeling particularly creative (and southing that is a wonderful part of collage work). Then I started experimenting with complementary elements. The reason I am saying that this post is probably premature, is that this composition is FAR from done (and the photo kind of sucks)... but I am SO excited to have "stumbled" into this composition and am now re-energized to work on the creative aspects of this piece! I only wish that I had photographed the original image. It is amazing to me how the addition of color has made this piece come alive and that the same addition has completely transformed the overall image and made it WAY more 3-dimensional (in terms of increasing the illusion of depth). I wish I could show the contrast from pre- and post-cutting. But when you are experiencing "flow" (or "the zone") in art, it often precludes thinking about documenting the process (that's a different "mode"). I am just so happy that my moments of discouragement were followed by renewed enthusiasm. SO, I hope I haven't rambled on too long. Here is the preliminary image (hopefully, soon to be followed by the completed collage)...

more COVID-inspired artwork

Artists have always been a source of cultural reaction and reflection to societal circumstances. It is interesting to see the works that are starting to surface in response to the COVID pandemic. I would like to curate an exhibit at some point (when the pandemic has passed) to "document" various artists' creative responses to COVID. Here are a couple from fellow artists (and friends), Jennifer Swizenski and Terrence Fine.

"Wake me when it's over"  ^

COVID collage

I think this piece speaks for itself. The working title is: "Can We Please Wait to Re-Open?"

COVID musical tribute

The lyrics of this song were written by my friend and collage art mentor Jonathan Talbot. Here's to all the healthcare workers on the front lines, helping us through these trying times.

Exploratory phase

At this point, during the "lockdown" of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am still in the "cleaning out and organizing" phase of working in my "studio". My "studio" is my basement, and it is quite a sight to behold (perhaps I will post photos of that soon); in that it is quite chaotic. Some collage artists have their elements filed in drawers or envelopes by color or subject or smoother organizing system. I tend to exist in a creative world of chaos. It has served me well; and perhaps represents the "accidental" and emergent properties of my work. I like to experiment and discover or "re-discover" elements without premeditation. Anyway, I also like to simply explore -- to peruse vintage publications; to discover; to contemplate. And oftentimes, I will explore further, using the internet to learn about vintage products or people. I came across this 1947 advertisement for "Muffets" the other night.

I was particularly intrigued by the fact that the artist signed his work for this advertisement. So I looked-up "vintage Bill Fleming" using Google. I anticipated that I might not get any meaningful results -- that the artist might just be an obscure "ad man" with no notable web presence. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Mr. Fleming WAS in the internet ether and that images of his vintage work are still available on posters and other products. Here is a cover he did for a pulp fiction book back in the day:

Collage... always interesting and stimulating for me... even in the clean-up, organizing, and exploratory phase!

Colored eggs

Once again, not collage-related, but art-related nonetheless. One of the things that has changed dramatically for me during the COVID-19 pandemic, is the amount of time I spend in my house (which is, effectively, almost ALL of the time... I do go fo daily walks). Normally, I spend a lot of time socializing in one arena or another. Yesterday, I decided to try to hand-paint some hard-boiled eggs. These are a bit rough around the edges; but I like them anyway. SO, here's to wishing EVERYONE a happy day and wishing EVERYONE hope for more beautiful days in the future. Hang in there everyone!