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Mixed Media Collage
I derive great joy from adorning painted backgrounds with everyday objects in unconventional ways. Sometimes I simply like the design - the colors and textures mixing in unlikely patterns, evoking emotions. Sometimes I attach well known associations to the found objects I use in my collages (screws come to mind), and sometimes I envison new symbolism that speaks to my soul. Many of the objects I used caught my eye at one point and I saved them for the right assemblage. These items could be pieces of scrap metal I found in a parking lot, a broken piece from well-loved jewelry item, or anything else that attracts my interest.
What do you see in these paint collages? Do they evoke memories or ideas in your mind? What story do they tell you?
Father's Day 2022 - Fire Fire Fire
On Father's Day 2022, I looked up from dinner with my husband, three children, and a guest. Outside our front window, I saw flames streaming from the house across the street. These flames were huge with blackened smoke and had not existed a moment before. Time would reveal that arson was the reason for the accelerated pace of the fire.
Luckily that house, and the one next to it, were in the building process and no one lived in either spot. Most importantly, no one was injured. But for a furious few minutes, my family grabbed pets and precious belongings, moved cars parked on the street next to the flaming houses, and ensured safety for those around us. Part of our actions included hosing down the Dogwood Tree in our front yard, the subject of family art, poem, and tattoo projects. The fire was directly across from us and threatened our tree, and thus our home. We had to saw off a branch, but the smoking trees across the way did not spread death to our beloved Dogwood, and fortunately, no flames touched our yard and home, nor did they touch the inhabited dwellings of our neighbors except for one home with minimal damage. But the nearby sidewalk trees would succumb to death in the coming months. The newly built house across the street - destroyed. The almost built house next to it - destroyed. The separated garage of an established home behind the burned house - also destroyed along with its motorcycle inhabitant and the home's back windows. Neighbors amassed on our lawn to watch the burning of houses constructed of cheap goods and labor. The fire department came quickly, and the fire fighters' efficient and coordinated efforts unfolded like a ballet on a blazing stage. Our neighborhood, established in the early 20th century, was the host of many arts & crafts homes built in the early 1900s. But the homes constructed quickly in the 21st century of cheap wood-like materials and flammable glue, burnt to the ground like houses of matches. It was a sight to behold and a Father's Day we will never forget.
This piece represents the fire, lost trees, and the multiple hoses (from firefighters and neighbors alike) to preserve what was already established in the neighborhood.
Acrylic on wood, dried flora, lawn hose pieces, metal shavings
18" x 21"
Luckily that house, and the one next to it, were in the building process and no one lived in either spot. Most importantly, no one was injured. But for a furious few minutes, my family grabbed pets and precious belongings, moved cars parked on the street next to the flaming houses, and ensured safety for those around us. Part of our actions included hosing down the Dogwood Tree in our front yard, the subject of family art, poem, and tattoo projects. The fire was directly across from us and threatened our tree, and thus our home. We had to saw off a branch, but the smoking trees across the way did not spread death to our beloved Dogwood, and fortunately, no flames touched our yard and home, nor did they touch the inhabited dwellings of our neighbors except for one home with minimal damage. But the nearby sidewalk trees would succumb to death in the coming months. The newly built house across the street - destroyed. The almost built house next to it - destroyed. The separated garage of an established home behind the burned house - also destroyed along with its motorcycle inhabitant and the home's back windows. Neighbors amassed on our lawn to watch the burning of houses constructed of cheap goods and labor. The fire department came quickly, and the fire fighters' efficient and coordinated efforts unfolded like a ballet on a blazing stage. Our neighborhood, established in the early 20th century, was the host of many arts & crafts homes built in the early 1900s. But the homes constructed quickly in the 21st century of cheap wood-like materials and flammable glue, burnt to the ground like houses of matches. It was a sight to behold and a Father's Day we will never forget.
This piece represents the fire, lost trees, and the multiple hoses (from firefighters and neighbors alike) to preserve what was already established in the neighborhood.
Acrylic on wood, dried flora, lawn hose pieces, metal shavings
18" x 21"
Wallpaper - Fancy Old Hotel
This piece took hours to craft: creating dried paint bases for molding flowers, cutting multiple floral items from paint, adjusting and attaching wires, and protecting dried leaves in clear glue.
It reminds me of a hotel from the past adorned with wallpapers of rich reds and interesting floral patterns.
Acrylic Paint on Canvas, wire, dried flowers and leaves in polyurethane
20" x 16" base (24" x 18" with wire)
It reminds me of a hotel from the past adorned with wallpapers of rich reds and interesting floral patterns.
Acrylic Paint on Canvas, wire, dried flowers and leaves in polyurethane
20" x 16" base (24" x 18" with wire)
Brunhilde
A fiery tribute to a great Valkyrie warrior of Norse mythology.
Love might not conquer all, but Brunhilde is one tough broad with a horned hat, breastplate, and golden braids to prove it.
Acrylic paint, wood, ribbon, plastic, and metal washers.
25" x 18"
Love might not conquer all, but Brunhilde is one tough broad with a horned hat, breastplate, and golden braids to prove it.
Acrylic paint, wood, ribbon, plastic, and metal washers.
25" x 18"
Bouquet in Blue
Flowers created from layers of dried paint enliven this intimate, private space.
Acrylic paint on wood, metal wire, found objects
8" x 10"
Acrylic paint on wood, metal wire, found objects
8" x 10"
Autumn Fire
Swirling paint and decoupaged leaves, remnants of an autumn birthday bouquet, remind us that vitality still exists even as we age.
Acrylic paint on canvas with dried leaves and flowers in polyurethane.
20" x 16"
Acrylic paint on canvas with dried leaves and flowers in polyurethane.
20" x 16"
Lion's Mane
Colored flowers of paint, with wire stems and assorted centers, crown the lion's paw vase.
Acrylic paint on wood, metal, assorted findings and found objects
12" x 12" base (12" x 13" with overlap)
Acrylic paint on wood, metal, assorted findings and found objects
12" x 12" base (12" x 13" with overlap)
Storm is Coming
Interpret as you wish: colliding weather patterns; opening the heart to love; gender war; simply metal on paint. What do you see?
For me: Uterus + Sperm = Kids
Acrylic paint on wood, hooks, chains, metal pin
12" x 12"
For me: Uterus + Sperm = Kids
Acrylic paint on wood, hooks, chains, metal pin
12" x 12"
Pink Bouquet
My first experiment with cut flowers from paint - a multi-colored and multi-shaped bouquet.
Acrylic paint on wood, flower cut from dried layers of acrylic paint, metal wire, ribbon
12" x 12"
Acrylic paint on wood, flower cut from dried layers of acrylic paint, metal wire, ribbon
12" x 12"
Flower Paper
The simple stripes are reminiscent of bedroom wallpaper, but in bright, unsoothing colors. The dried remains of flower petals remind us of both beauty and loss. The wire stem hooks us into the everyday, which is often difficult to escape unless we purposely make room for the unexpected.
Acrylic paint on wood, metal wire
8" x 8" for base piece (9" x 8" with wire)
Acrylic paint on wood, metal wire
8" x 8" for base piece (9" x 8" with wire)
Birthday Confetti
Sharing flowers from the same bouquet as Autumn Fire (2024), Birthday Confetti captures the moment of a surprise party with its confetti made of sunflower petals, dried paint circles, and flowers.
Acrylic paint on canvas, dried paint shapes, leaves and flower in polyurethane.
20" x 16"
Acrylic paint on canvas, dried paint shapes, leaves and flower in polyurethane.
20" x 16"
Running with Scissors
We do our best to navigate between the rocks and the paper, often using scissors.
In our lives, we find ourselves metaphorically running with scissors more often than we like - high tailing it toward an outcome without considering the danger. Sometimes we run out of necessity, or due to abandoned caution, or with complete ignorance. Sometimes we run because it is the only hope. And while sometimes running with scissors ends with cuts and blood, sometimes in ends in an unexpected and joy-filled ways.
Acrylic paint on wood with plastic and metal scissors.
10.5" x 7.5"
In our lives, we find ourselves metaphorically running with scissors more often than we like - high tailing it toward an outcome without considering the danger. Sometimes we run out of necessity, or due to abandoned caution, or with complete ignorance. Sometimes we run because it is the only hope. And while sometimes running with scissors ends with cuts and blood, sometimes in ends in an unexpected and joy-filled ways.
Acrylic paint on wood with plastic and metal scissors.
10.5" x 7.5"
Swan Song
Trying to get everything done and what that entails.
One project?
Ten projects?
A year in the life?
Life?
Acrylic paint on wood, metal tool findings, ceramic, dried leaves
12" x 12"
One project?
Ten projects?
A year in the life?
Life?
Acrylic paint on wood, metal tool findings, ceramic, dried leaves
12" x 12"
Vanitosse
This piece is an ode to Dutch floral paintings that warn of the passing of time. Except it is a single flower. And rather than a painting, it is a paperweight of unknown permanance as its focal flower melts.
Wax, paper, acrylic paint, stone tile, dried flora
4" x 4" x 2"
Wax, paper, acrylic paint, stone tile, dried flora
4" x 4" x 2"
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