I distinctly remember our section on collage in my Drawing 101 class. It was kind of painful for me. I wanted to create interesting beautiful work, but had a hard time getting past memories of third grade art class and Elmer’s glue. So it isn’t any wonder that some of my favorite work is of the cut and paste variety.. These artists have found the secret to what I was longing to do!
You may remember the fabulous work of Shaun Kardinal, featured a few months ago. I was completely smitten by his technique of combining found materials and embroidered elements in such an artistic way. Along with Shaun, there are other artists putting their own spin on this way of working. Here are a few of my faves!
British Vogue Cover, Deconstructed by Inge JacobsenPaula by Stacey PageDance 8 by RomussiLucky JacksonWork on Paper #14 by Hinke Schreuders
“There is nothing new under the sun”, ( Ecclesiastes 1: 9 ). Each generation thinks they are better than the last, but if that were so, why do we as a human race continue to repeat our old patterns and mistakes? Colombian artist Randy Mora, takes vintage ephemera and creates digital collages that explore ideas that may seem to be modern yet still hearken to the styles of eras past. His work reminds us that time has not erased our patterns and prejudices.
Torre Blanca, digital collage, 51.35x66cm
Mora’s illustrations seem to show us that none of the issues we face today is really all that new. Man is man and has been of a similar nature since his beginning.
La Pitonisa, digital collage, 50x65cm
There has always existed a quest for wealth, for supremacy, for power and subjugation. It seems to be in man’s very nature to isolate ourselves with others who are like us, judging and condemning those who are not.
Pan de Vida, digital collage, 46×60 cm
We live in a world divided between “us” and “them”, being taught from an early age to look out for ourselves first, creating within us cynical, fearful souls who become so self-centered we are unable to empathize and understand anyone whose views may be different from our own.
Magritte’s Trap, digital collage, 43x50cmMy Favorite Independent Bookstore: Gay’s the Word, London, commission for The Guardian ( UK )
The inability to empathize and see the world from someone else’s point of view too often breeds in us feelings of first fear, then of superiority. Why are we afraid? Why do we think ourselves better than another? Each of us is born in the same way, completely innocent and knowing nothing of the world. To see more of Randy Mora’s work, please visit his website.
Some days my happy mood gets kicked in the gut first thing in the morning. This usually results from something I’ve read online that a) infuriates me, b) disgusts me, c) leaves me sick to my stomach and shaking my head in dismay, or d) all of the above, as was the case this morning. So it is only fitting that the work of today’s artist, Portland’s Trish Grantham, is the perfect antidote for what ails me!
The Creators, mixed media, 54×24
Unapologetically sweet, Trish’s work is filled with joy-inducing imagery. Masked-bandit-like birds, happily wise woodland creatures, smiling toast (!).. they all speak to me, saying “Hello! We’re here to remind you that the world is really a happy place filled with kind beings!” Many of the world’s inhabitants have simply forgotten how to be truly grateful, gracious and happy.
The Creators Gather, mixed media, 24×12
Just as it is impossible to look into the face of a smiling child and not smile back, as I was looking through Trish’s portfolio, my pursed mouth and heavy heart where replaced by a light-hearted grin.
The Flight Instructor, mixed media, 30×36
This world can be an ugly place and for some reason, it seems, many of the people in it are striving to make it even more hostile, all for the sake of their fear of someone taking away something that never truly belonged to them. We don’t own this world. It owes us nothing. Oh what a happier place it would be if the world were ruled by the creatures in Grantham’s work! Instead of devouring the innocent, the wolf instead sets the baby birds free to live as they please. Sure his belly may not be as full, but his heart will be bursting.
Free to Fly, mixed mediaSympathetic Sea, mixed media, 72×60
Trish’s work spoke to my weary heart this morning. I hope it speaks to yours and perhaps, instead of choosing bitterness and hate, you will instead choose joy. I have.
To see more of Trish Grantham’s work, please check out her website. If you happen to be in Portland, OR ( And if you are, how about sharing a little housing advice? What areas are affordable but still nice & safe? Hubby and I are looking to the future.. ), sorry for the sidetrack– you can see Trish’s work in Portland at Augen Gallery, a delightful contemporary gallery downtown.
Featured image is The Futurist, mixed media, 24×12. All images are via the artist’s website.
It’s Tuesday.. you know what that means! Head over to Escape Into Life to check out the artist I’m featuring there today, Matt Wisniewski. If you liked Pakayla Biehn’s work yesterday, I think you’ll love Matt’s digital collages.
3/7– Please note that Escape Into Life has been undergoing some website changes, resulting in delayed postings, so this feature wasn’t live when I scheduled this post ( it normally would be ). It’s up now!
I’ve heard that some people only dream in black and white. My dreams are always in color, but muted, like faded photographs or old home movies. It seems that German born artist Catrin Welz-Stein has been somehow seeing into my dreams. Her digital collages are strikingly similar to the palette and imagery of my dreams..
Her Secret, digital collage
So perhaps the imagery isn’t exactly like the images of my own slumber, but the atmosphere is the same. And there are always animals. And lots of flying. And sometimes flying animals.
Whale Watching, digital collage
The artist,while working as a graphic designer, experimented with mixed media and collage, eventually moving to digital imagery and her current surreal style. Using license-free, non-copyrighted images, photos and illustrations, Catrin breaks apart the original images and transforms them into her own creations.
Precious Flight, digital collage
The images she creates are at times ethereal, melancholy, disturbing, reassuring and sweet. They truly run a gamut of emotions. Just as our dreams do.
After The Hunt, digital collageThe View, digital collage
To see more of Catrin Welz-Stein’s work, please visit her page on ImageKind. She has three fabulous galleries of imagery, prints available of all– I’m certain you find one 0r ten to love!
Featured image is Sisters, digital collage. All images are via the artist’s ImageKind site.
When I hear the word “collage”, I think back to 2nd grade arts & crafts, safety scissors and Elmer’s Glue. Of course, my little artsy heart was dreaming of creating beautiful art, not the actual result of magazine cut-outs wrinkled from using way too much glue. The collage work of Leigh Wells is the stuff my paper moon dreams are made of.
Untitled, collage and mixed media on paper, 9.5×12.75
Simple shapes and soft, earthly colors create striking silhouettes that invite you in to explore their mystery.
Untitled, collage and mixed media on paper, 9.5×12.75
The organic shapes seem to morph in and out of each other, creating forms that are both familiar and alien.
Untitled, collage and mixed media on paper, 9.5×12.75
Part Magritte, part Ernst, part O’Keeffe… All Leigh Wells and all beautifully elegant and engaging.
Untitled, collage and mixed media on paper, 9.5×12.75
To see more of Leigh’s work, please visit her website. Hmm.. I’m inspired. Think I just might dust off my scissors and glue.
My husband and I look at a lot of maps. For the next several years, we’re moving to a new locale every three months, plus we spend weekends exploring the areas surrounding wherever we happen to be living. Oh, and there are also all the future travel plans. Like maybe a stint in Thailand in 2013. ( I KNOW!.. so exciting!! ). We use whatever maps we can get our hands on.. Google maps online at home, GPS in the car and of course, our good ol’ reliable atlas. Currently, we’re pouring over maps as we anxiously await the locale of G’s next work assignment. A month from now I will be typing the Friday Faves from a whole new setting, crazy isn’t it?!
Turns out we aren’t the only ones inspired by maps. Check out some of my favorite artists who incorporate these geographic illustrations into their own artwork. Happy travels!
Richardson, mixed media, 5×5Navigate ( detail ) by Amy RiceDrifter’s Atlas No. 2 by Dolan GeimanFear Hope Oblivion by Francesca BerriniA Good Mess by Wyanne Thompson
How about it, Artsies? Anyone mapping out adventures for the weekend? Have a maptastic artist to share? Do tell!
The world(s) created by Hilary Williams, that is. But really her work is no more absurd than the world we see around us every day. A San Francisco printmaker, Hilary takes elements of urban life, the natural environment and their inhabitants and repositions them into surreal landscapes.
Song and Dance for a Laugh
Haunting images of leaning buildings and ghostly figures are juxtaposed with decorative motifs and child-like doodles. Echoes from the past haunt the present, creating a commentary on how far we’ve come, but perhaps, how little we have truly gained.
Herding Out Saturday Night
The dark, eeriness of the iconic architecture contrasts with the light and cheerful colors and patterns to create an absurd dichotomy. Not unlike many recent trends that look to the past while still trying to find a place in the future. Such irony is not lost on this artist and conveys the struggle of humanity to co-exist within the urban and natural landscape.
Adventures in Coasting
Hilary’s work is heavily layered which gives it a visual depth and complexity that draws the viewer in. There is so much to see and figure out. My husband George & I first saw Hilary’s work in The Pines Art Gallery in Hood River, OR. We fell in love with her work and George could not stop looking at it. A true testament to the power of the work!
The Front Porch by Hilary Williams
Check out more of Hilary’s work on her website, I think you’ll love it as much as George & I do.
Artists have long held a fascination for horses. Some of the earliest cave drawings were filled with equine imagery. Modern artists are no different. Today’s faves feature artists with a penchant for ponies. Enjoy!
