Mixed Media City Collage

Just finished this mixed media city piece. The background is abstract acrylic mark making on textured paper, handwritten marks, and a collage of rice paper. I used the new DASS universal precoat to make it ready for overprinting, and once dry, ran it through the Epson 2200 to print the city image.

A Visit from Jonathan Talbot

Last week some of us on the North Shore of Massachusetts were treated to a visit from collage artist Jonathan Talbot. I have always wanted to take one of his workshops in Warwick, NY, so I was thrilled to hear he would be in Lynnfield (5 minutes from my house!).

I have lots of books about collage, including Talbot's Collage: A New Approach, which describes his technique of collage without liquid adhesives. Although I've practiced the lessons in the book, it's always helpful to see first-hand how things are done, and his demonstration was wonderful.

In addition to the demo, and showing us two of his thousands of completed collages, Talbot regaled us with stories of his early days, his thought process and inspiration, and his reasons for making art, prompting discussion regarding our own artistic endeavors.

It was a two-hour tease into an ocean of knowledge that he is willing to share...so I guess it's time to save up for one of his workshops!

More SoWa Open Studios....

In addition to being outside at the South End Open Market during Open Studios this weekend, my new piece "Sabbaday Walls" Diptych will be at the new gallery "Galatea" (official opening will be in November) at 460B Harrison Ave, Boston. 

digital monoprint and acrylic on claybord
16x24

SoWa Open Studios THIS Weekend

It's Open Studios weekend again in the South End (Sept. 19 & 20). I will be exhibiting at the Open Market location at 540 Harrison Avenue. Looking forward to a weekend of catching up with some some old friends and making new ones!

Abstract Play

I started some of these text collages in photoshop a while back. This week I was having trouble jumpstarting my creativity, so I went back to them just to play. I like how they are turning out, and the fact that they came about just by playing, rather than trying to make something perfect.

Historic Interpretation at the Peabody Historical Society

Historic Interpretation is a unique exhibition of new artworks inspired by historical artifacts in the Peabody Historical Society collection. I chose to interpret a concert bill from when Arthur Fiedler visited Peabody during its Centennial Celebration in 1968 (my parents remember this, but I don't). My interpretation was to celebrate the way music is being made in Peabody today, specifically the students at Accel. School of Music, who were lucky enough to perform at the Hard Rock Boston this past winter. I used several of the photos I took at that event, along with photos taken in Peabody, to create this digital collage, which was transferred to claybord and acrylic. The exhibit runs from August 15 through October 18.

Maine recharges the muse

Back from a week in Maine and playing with lots of the pictures I took. We hiked our favorite Sabattus Mountain (great views), swam and fished in Moose Pond, entertained our niece and nephews, shopped in Bridgton, and ate way too much. It's a great way to unwind and recharge, and now I'm looking forward to getting back to work.

Disintegration, the Big Reveal!

During the past winter season, I joined a collaborative effort called Disintegration, spearheaded by Seth Apter of The Altered Page. Little did I know back then what a huge collaboration it would turn out to be. Today, August 1, is the day for the "big reveal" where everyone shows the artwork created by a bundle they placed outside all winter to witness its disintegration. You can see my bundles here and here.


I decided to make a collage using an image of a rose from my Mother's Day bouquet. After the roses had dried a bit, they were still beautiful. I made digital monoprints on japanese washi paper and Arches 88 paper, and paired them with the weathered pages from the disintegration project. Both parts of this art piece seemed destined for each other.

The project itself had over 100 participants. I'm thinking of items I can weather outdoors again this winter and maybe this will become an annual experiment!

Pittsfield Art Show This Weekend

I'll be exhibiting this weekend (both days) at the 5th Annual Pittsfield Art Show in the Berkshires. I like the Berkshires because there are SO many things to do. I challenge anyone to be bored there. There are tons of outdoor activities...Bash Bish Falls is a beautiful spot for hiking and picture taking. There are tons of galleries and shopping for the less adventurous. And of course Tanglewood. None of which I will see this time because of the show, but I'm sure we'll find a nice spot for dinner. Why not take a weekend trip and come out and see me?

2nd Annual Boston Handmade Marketplace in Union Square

I'll be exhibiting this weekend with my BH'ers at The Boston Handmade Marketplace. More than 25 artists, artisans, and craftspeople will be showing and selling handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, housewares, art, photography, toys, and sculpture in Union Square (at the intersection of†Washington, Prospect & Somerville Ave.) on July 11, 2009, 3-7pm, as part of the Somerville Arts Council ArtsUnion series.

The Boston Handmade Marketplace is an outdoor art and craft exhibition featuring work by Massachusetts area artists, craftspeople and artisans associated with the arts group Boston Handmade and Etsy.com: helping†people make a living making things. This exhibition promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories. In addition to the individual exhibitors at the 2009 Boston Handmade marketplace musicians will be performing throughout the day. Performers include Boston bands The Grownup Noise and One Happy Island. There will be also be handcraft demonstrations with Faculty and Staff of The Eliot School of Jamaica Plain, and Members of the Common Cod Fiber Guild of Somerville. Another highlight of the afternoon will be martial arts demonstrations from the Shobu Aikido of Boston.

Alter-a-tions at Experimental Art Gallery & Studio

My "Evening in Paris" piece is currently part of the Alter-a-tions exhibit at Experimental Art Gallery & Studio on Artists Row in Salem. The exhibit runs throughout July, with an Opening Reception on July 11 (lots happening on the Row that day) which I will have to miss because I'll be at the Boston Handmade show in Somerville (more on that in another post). Anyway, the exhibit asks:

• What do you alter to suit your needs?
• Do you create work that alters an item for another purpose?
• Work that changes perspective? Transformation?
• Do you have an Alter Ego?
• Think. Change. Modify. Mutate. Vary.

Anyway, the "Evening in Paris" piece (which was also part of Caladan Gallery's "Inner Noise" exhibit) is composed of altered images from my trip to Paris. The people are real, but the situation I have set them in is definitely altered from the reality of that day.

If you happen to be in Salem this July, stop by Experimental...very cool stuff in their gallery!

Ledgewood Summer Arts Fest

Last week I was invited to be a guest artist at Ledgewood Rehab and Nursing Care as part of their Summer Arts Fest. The residents (and lucky guests!) were treated to a fabulous music performance by We Are America. Those girls can sing! Afterwards I shared some of my art, and had a chance to enjoy the artwork created by Ledgewood residents (see the sampling above). Their work was amazing considering the various physical challenges faced by each artist.

Ledgewood is part of Kindred Healthcare which has facilities all across the country, and where art is a part of their daily activities. They have an annual arts contest where winning poetry and art are compiled in a publication called "Kaleidoscope." Some of the entries are from younger patients, but many are from talented seniors like the ones I recently met. Although the online version is from a few years back, it's worth a look!

Nice to see that art does not have a retirement age!

Beverly Arts Fest

Some scenes from Saturday's Beverly Arts Fest (including a peek into my booth). It turned out to be a great day...the one day out of what, a month, of rain? Some day soon summer will come back to the Northeast. I met some great people as always, was interviewed by BevCam (Beverly Access TV), and am happy that some Salem Arts friends stopped by!

Arts Fest Beverly, Saturday, June 20

Boston Handmade at SoWa on June 14

I'll be exhibiting with more than 25 other members of Boston Handmade at the Sowa Open Market on Sunday, June 14th from 10am til 4pm. We'll be showing and selling handmade jewelry, clothing, accessories, house wares, art, photography, toys, and sculpture. Boston Handmade promotes local independent businesses and individuals creating one-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade works in small studio environments, not factories.

We'll be flanked by a fresh produce market, a new antiques market, loads of other artisans, and live music by The Grownup Noise!

So come down to the South End for brunch and shopping, or take your dog out for a social, and stop by the Boston Handmade row and say hello!

Grungy Roses

Roses are fun to work with...

Exhibiting at a Senior Arts Festival

Many times as artists we are asked to participate in student events...curating an exhibit, giving a workshop, making space for an internship. But for the first time, I have been asked to participate in a SENIOR event. In June, a local senior living facility is having an arts festival and I have been asked to exhibit alongside the residents.

As I chatted with the activities director, she explained the challenges that seniors face as they create. From diminishing eyesight to more serious physical disabilities, these seniors continue to push themselves and express themselves through art. I am honored to have been asked to participate in their festival. The tagline for the festival is "We are all flowers, some of us just bloom later than others."

In response to what I have learned about them, I am working on a new series, in which I have photographed roses which, although past their prime, convey beauty, unique textures, depth, hidden bursts of color, a joy and a reflectiveness -- all of which remind me of these seniors.

Stay tuned...I will post again during or shortly after the exhibit so you can see their fantastic work.

SoWa Open Market Opening Weekend!

I'll be there along with several other Boston Handmade members, and many other fabulous artists and crafters. Come visit!

New Paris Collages

Continuing on my journey of combining traditional media with digital media, I've combined paper and fabric collages with my image of the Eiffel Tower. These mini 4x4 collages are a combination of vintage postcard graphics on oriental rice paper, dyed organza, and archival ultrachrome inks transferred to the collage. I'm really excited about this technique because it combines collage, textiles, digital graphics, and printmaking...all of which I can't get enough of!

I'll have these pieces and more like it at upcoming shows, the first of which is SoWa Opening Weekened, May 16 & 17. Hope to see you all there!

Disintegration Reveal

Something funny is sprouting amid the greens!

It's time for the Disintegration reveal! All winter my little bundles have been tucked among some old branches taking all the beating that a New England winter can dish out. What began as the pages of an old playbook are now really weathered, curled, and ripe for use in what will ultimately be a collage...THAT reveal will be in August.

Here are a few more "After" images...







To see how this project all began, check out The Altered Page, where 123 other artists took part in this experiment.