Synthetic cubism

My website was recently added to the collageart.org directory of collage artists and collage-related sites. It's great to be included among so many amazing collage artists. This resource is worth some serious web-surfing to see the range of work being done in the collage medium. Painter and collage artist Jonathan Talbot wrote about my work, "The collages of Janice McDonald are inspired, in part, by synthetic cubism and other 20th Century art movements." I'd never assessed my work quite that way but found his comment appropriate to much, if not all, of my work. (I was fortunate to study with Jonathan at his studio in 2001 and often recommend his book, "Collage: A New Approach.")I see cubism most obviously influencing my figurative work like collages from the Foundling Series. This is number 19 in the series of small works, measuring 7 x 5."

Background patterns

I love patterns of all kinds and often use them as elements in my collages. Here is a photo of the newspaper tax lien listings that make up the background of "Juggling." The tabular format of the type creates a random pattern and every other line has a shaded stripe. The type is about 4 point so you can only read it if you are really close, just names and numbers. The inside of safety envelopes (usually from bills)— along with bits of time cards, to-do lists, and order forms— have also made their way into my work from time to time. I'm always on the lookout for new elements to stash in the studio for use "someday." This explains the chaotic but bountiful state of my studio!

Juggling

Here's a photo of another of the large framed collages from recent show. Titled "Juggling," this piece is 36 x 24 inches plus frame, composed of contemporary papers and recycled imagery, built up in layers on a wood base. It's an experiment in balance and composition, in motion.

 

Imagination Navigation online

From the Abecedarian blog, "Imagination Navigation takes its title from a monograph about and exhibition of Joseph Cornell’s work. It is a show of 22 works by United States and Canadian artists working in assemblage and collage. The works were selected by Denver artist and exhibitions preparator Dave Seiler. While far from definitive, the exhibition provides a good overview of current trends in small to medium scale mixed media artworks."

Abecedarian Gallery in Denver has posted the show catalog online (requires Flash). Aside from the fact that my name is spelled wrong in the catalog/blog, I'm extremely pleased to be included in this one — featuring some really interesting and tactile responses to the concept of navigation. Worth a look!