Ongoing: Rip/Tear Collage Show

It's been enlightening to be able to stand back and see the collages from several of my series on the walls at Rip/Tear, on view through May 29th. The work always seems to take on a whole new personality when it is hung beyond the studio. It's good to get some perspective on what I want to continue or revisit, in terms of themes, and inspiration for what I may want to launch into from here. Here are a couple of photos of the exhibition. Hope you can see it in person if you are in the area!Above: Collages from the Color Constructs series, 20 x 10 x 1" each.Below: Collages from the Abstract collection, various sizes. (For scale, vertical at left is 20 x 10 x 1.")

International Society of Assemblage and Collage Artists

Over 100 artists who work in the collage and/or assemblage mediums have joined a Ning Network website to post and discuss their work. This project was begun by Cecil Touchon in association with the International Museum of Collage, Assemblage and Construction so that members of the museum's email group and community can share their work and ideas in a more multi-media environment. If you are working in these mediums (or simply interested in them), the site is a resource with nearly every kind of work imaginable.

Full disclosure: I have recently started to moderate the site and try to keep it clear of spam. (Where do all these spammers come from?!) The good part is that I'm visiting more often and seeing some really amazing work, a real treat, plus being exposed to the breadth and depth of work these artists are creating.

Collage, applied: Custom Keds® (or my pedestrian gallery)

While I love to work with original collage, I'm also interested in its application for reproduction and potential use in illustration and public art. So, when I heard that Keds shoes could be custom-designed, I was excited about using my imagery to create a pair. (What a fun blank canvas and certainly a good conversation starter!) The shoes arrived today and I'm really pleased with the way they turned out. 

Above is the original collage, "Directions," measuring 36 x 24" that was used to create the design. Below are the resulting Keds, size 8.5. This design is available through Zazzle for order, should you want an identical pair. If you are inspired to design your own pair, please send me a link/photo so I can see your creation. Meanwhile, I'm considering my next collage-inspired design(s)!