Insufficiently Wrapped, a collage

“Insufficiently Wrapped” plays on the envelope theme with an image that couldn’t be contained.

I liked the idea of a neat and tidy envelope spilling messy contents all over the place.

Envelopes are meant to contain, but sometimes they just can’t hold it in anymore.

The envelope is made from a magazine image that I altered with solvent, then painted with transparent gold paint. The button is not real – it’s a sticker.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/insufficiently-wrapped/

Going Forth, a collage

Remember the excitement of finding a real envelope in the mail, one with a card or letter?

Envelopes are more than paper: their purpose lies equally in being able to wrap, contain, and conceal, as well as open and release. They are the messenger, so rarely (never?) are they the reason for the missive.

Yet being wrapped and opened, sent and delivered conjure up all kinds of emotions for us. In the Envelop/e series, I’ll explore those emotions.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/going-forth/

Walk In The Woods, a collage

“Walk In The Woods” continues my exploration with a collage process that is more free and intuitive.

No carefully analyzed plan, no agonizing over each piece. Instead, I tried to put pieces together because they felt like they belonged together.

Do vintage buttons, corrugated cardboard, and French knots really belong together? Who knows, but they seemed to belong together.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/walk-in-the-woods/

Waterfall, a collage

“Waterfall” began, as so many of my abstract paintings do, with quick and instinctive swatches of paint on paper. Quick and energetic, applied in an intuitive, physical way.

After the paint dried, I enhanced the paint with some machine stitching to draw attention to it and add texture, then added the puff of shredded black paper.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/waterfall/

Roots and Roads #3, a collage

“Roots and Roads #3” picks up on cues from the first in this series. A little less realistic than #2, with added yarn – and even buttons!

A tree, along a rocky path, stands along save for bits of scrubby grasses. Buttons and yarn mark the path along with strewn flower petals.

More...

New Orleans, a collage

“New Orleans” is a collage inspired by a vacation to that city in 2014. Walking through the French Quarter, I ran across a wonderful building with a colorful first level contrasted against rough upper levels contrasted against bright blue shutters. In the sunlight, the effect was stunning.

Later, walking along the river, I was taken with the trees and landscaping and repetition of round shapes.

So, I combined the two images into this one scene.

For photos of the original scenery taken in New Orleans, visit http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/new-orleans/

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center Regional Show

The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center is hosting its 31st annual Regional Art Show, opening Saturday, May 9 and continuing through June 2.
It’s a large and varied show, with representational and abstract art by artists from all around the area.

Patrick Melnick, Director of Art Studies at Virginia Marti College of Art an Design, kindly served as juror for the show.

Two of my collages, “Geraniums” (pictured here) and “Serenity” are included in the show.

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
2131 Front Street
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
330-928-8092
http://www.cvartcenter.org

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/cuyahoga-valley-art-center-regional-show/

In The Garden

In The Garden is a combination of painting and collage. Sunny and warm, I made it during the summer of 2014 when gardens were awash with flowers of all colors.

As with so many of my artworks, this one started one way, then took a left turn in the middle. It began as an abstract landscape. You can still see the orange sky and horizon line in the background. The painting got to a point where it didn’t want to be an abstract anymore. It called for something identifiable, such as...

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/in-the-garden-a-collage/

Colors and Cocktails

Thursday, June 12
7-9 pm.

Come for an evening of fun and art. Go home with not one – but TWO! – completed artworks: one to wear and one to display. This evening you will make a colorful pair of chain maille earrings and a unique mixed media collage.

No painting or jewelry skills needed!

Our artists, Karen and Dana, will guide you step-by-step through each project and help you along the way.

The event will be held in the artists’ studios at 220 N. Main St., Hudson, OH (upstairs, above My Little Red Wagon Toy Store).

Pre-registration is recommended to reserve a space (or two). There is a limit of 10 people.

We provide the supplies and soft drinks. You are welcome to bring stronger beverages if you wish.

$46 per person or $80 for 2 people.

To register >> http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/colors-and-cocktails/