Collage process & progress

Well, I've been making progress on the pet collage series. Unlike my abstract work, which is completely additive in terms of process, for these small works I do organize at least some of the major elements in advance of gluing, and then build and develop the constructed character further.Four creatures are done and ready for varnish, while a couple of others await the discovery of key pieces that would make them complete! I'll post completed collages soon.

Collage studio views: small support prep

A gallery gift shop has asked for some original "Poundling" pet collages to display and I'm out of inventory. Here are some images of how I begin the process.I use pre-gessoed 5 x 7 x 1/8" panels. I begin by covering them completely with a patterned background. Here I'm using "pet for sale" want ads and musical scores from books the library has de-acquisitioned. I create the background look by painting generously with acrylic and rubbing much of it away with a rag for a tinted look. I can add layer upon layer until I get the desired effect.All kinds of lids and containers are recycled for mixing paints. Notice the tray repurposed from a recent Whole Foods sushi lunch!The first photo is of the plain boards. I use that giant glass ashtray to hold glue/medium. It's deep, heavy enough that it doesn't move around, and the cigarette indentations hold a brush beautifully!The second image shows the background layers of papers drying after being glued down. The final photo is of the newly tinted backgrounds drying atop random jars in the studio. I'll add photos of the resulting collages in a future post.

Reveling in the changes

After returning from a inspiring business retreat last week, I have been reveling in the unusually warm weather and the gorgeous bright colors in our neighborhood. Yesterday was probably the last day of walking the dog without the need for a cozy sweater (or considerably more layers) for quite a long time. So we made it a good long trek!

Thought you might enjoy seeing some of the colors and textures that I'm finding inspiring as the seasons change. Soon my surroundings will become much more delineated and stark... I believe snow is in the forecast for tonight!

Nature is providing interesting parallels to some of the changes I'm considering making in my work as well. More on that as it becomes clear.

National Collage Show debuts online

Fun and inspiring to peruse if you are a collage fan... the 26th Annual National Collage Society Show is now available for viewing online.

I'm happy to have my work, "Potential," included in the exhibition this year. (Detail from "Potential" shown below.)

To read a related post, and see full view of "Potential," click here. Further details on my website.