"The Edge"

"The Edge" (again) ●
A few weeks ago I posted a piece with the same quote by Guillaume Apollinaire a poet, playwright, short story writer and novelist

"Come to the edge he said. 

They said, we are afraid. 

Come to the edge he said. 

They came. 

He pushed them, and they flew."

It sold the same day I hung it in the gallery, so I thought I would make another one, a little bit different than the first.  This one is also spelled out in scrabble tiles, but it is bordered in vintage yard sticks, and embellished with a brass bell and a sweet wooden green parrot, also vintage.

"More Alligators"

 

"More Alligators" ●
This is an analogy, often stated in business, about how unintended consequences can assume greater importance than the activity originally undertaken.
The entire quote reads like this:

Our mission is to analyze the situation and through foresight and 

advanced planning, avoid or circumvent problems before they arise.

Should the unexpected occur, then our aim is to swiftly and 

efficiently arrive at a workable solution, however, 

"WHEN YOU ARE UP TO YOUR ASS IN ALLIGATORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO 

REMEMBER THAT YOUR INITIAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO DRAIN THE SWAMP." 

 (most people only remember the last part)

I have made a few of these in the past.  I love making them, and people really seem to like them.  A couple of weeks ago I made one and it was sold and out of my studio before I could even get it photographed.

I currently have 4 other works in progress on my studio table, but this one was the first of the bunch to get to the finish line. The wood frame that holds the quote spelled out in scrabble tiles, is collaged and covered in several layers of tissue, bits of text, images and sheet music. Orange chopsticks add a splash of color and a toy rubber alligator finishes the piece. Ready to sit on a desk or hang on a wall.

"Still Searching"

"Still Searching"● 

   Everyday we make choices. Everyday we move forward or we stand still or we move sideways.  How do we decide? In the end, do all paths take us to the same place? Do the decisions we make pile up on top of each other and become a disclosure of where we have been and a prophecy of where we are going? 

   What do you think?
   For this tiny (3"x3"x2") mixed media assemblage piece, a hinged glass lidded box is collaged inside and out with vintage Japanese papers, tissues, sheet music and other book and magazine images. On the outside it is embellished with a key, glass beads, a brass bell and other found objects. Inside this tiny assemblage, you can see a small naked child looking in on a far off world containing confusing images of war and peace. A hand reaching out of bullet casing and small Buddha sit side by side.
  Notice the vintage toilet seat hinges used as feet for the box.
IN PRIVATE COLLECTION    2310

Altered Alice

"Altered Alice" ●

The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MarinMOCA) is having their Altered Book Show/Auction in Novato, California. This year’s show will run from April 21 through May 26, 150 artists from all over the Bay Area will  create an altered book to be auctioned off to benefit Marin MOCA.

The silent auction will run for five weeks and conclude with a rousing live auction closing party. While all proceeds go to the museum, it is a terrific opportunity for an artist to have their work shown at Marin MOCA and to join with other artists in helping to increase public awareness and interest in the book arts.

Once again, Donna Seager of the Seager Gray Gallery  in Mill Valley will give a talk at the opening and will also select the “top three” award winners along with some honorable mentions. All very exciting. I feel honored to be a part of it..

This is the piece I made for this show.. It is made from a vintage and very tattered copy of "Alice In Wonderland", a book that had the appearance and wear of a book that had been enjoyed by many, over many, many years.

The mannequin head is set on a ½” thick machine gear found in my 'stash' of stuff.  Both are anchored on a wooden platform, that was formally part of a lamp. The wooden platform is covered with text and acrylic skins made from illustrations taken from the book. She is adored with clock parts from a Howard Miller mantle clock that was, not long ago destined for the landfill. Gears for ears and a gear hat. The neck embellishment is the clock's main spring, it is attached in such a way that it adds a kinetic element to the piece. She is beautiful!

"Dragon Ace"

"Dragon Ace"

 I love working with vintage measuring tools. I love the inevitable paint drips and chips they acquire. I love the endurance they’ve shown, the patina they now posses. These yardsticks, rulers and skirt makers have all had a long hard-working life . . .  and now they have a new career as art.  A red-eyed Dragon named 'ACE' sits on the side, holding a golden tassel.

A wooden frame holds vintage rulers, yardsticks and skirt markers. The dragon was formally an incense burner. The tassel, has been cut down to size, was from someone's 1987 graduation mortarboard.

The Edge

"The Edge" ●

"Come to the edge he said. 

They said, we are afraid. 

Come to the edge he said. 

They came. 

He pushed them, and they flew."

This is a quote by Guillaume Apollinaire a poet, playwright, short story writer and novelist.

When I first read it, I knew I wanted to use it in my art. This is what I came up with. A simple  wall hung piece, spelling out the quote with Scrabble tiles and embellished with images of birds from an illustrated vintage bird book.

Afternoon Tea

 "Afternoon Tea" ●

   This is my most recent mirror project. Titled "Afternoon Tea" because its petite size makes me want to raise my pinky while sipping my tea. The 7"x11" framed mirror found at my favorite thrift store became the perfect foundation for this piece. The ¾" thick frame is perfect for attaching found objects using small screws and nails. I first covered the frame using vintage Mc'Call's pattern tissue over green tissue, front and back.  

   The gold-tone embellishment piece on top is one half of what, I think, used to be a fancy 'letter holder'.  Thankfully it is made of soft metal and I was able to cut it in half and attach it to the wood frame using brass screws and silicone adhesive. Other embellishments include a brass butter knife, United Airlines wings, tiny 'milagros' and many other fun, bling-thingys.   (click on any image to enlarge)

"Wonder"

 

 

"Wonder"●

  We live in Northern California near the Pacific Coast.  When I first moved here from Texas, I remember a feeling of facination with the force and movement of the ocean. Today the same facination exists. I love going to Bodega Bay after a storm, where invariably I find amazing pieces of drift

  The 'Wonder' begins when I see a beautifully finished piece of drift wood, plank or post. The inspiration for this piece started with a piece of driftwood shaped like an ocean wave. You can see it on top of the piece?

Is it the remains of a tree? or maybe it came from shipwreck? or is it a part of chair or a bed?

Where did it come from? How long has it been traveling? How did it survive the trip?

_ _ _ _ _ _

Mixed media assemblage using a vintage sewing machine drawer, a porcelain doll's head and vintage children's blocks. This piece is topped with a crystal drawer handle and driftwood found in Bodega Bay beach.

The back side is covered with an image taken from a book of 18th century paintings. This image depicts Christ and his angels above, in the center of the image is humanity, and of course, Satan and his friends in hell fill in the bottom. "Crackled glass' coasters fit perfectly inside the drawer frame, are placed on top of the image, giving it even more mystery.

IN PRIVATE COLLECTION 112109

The Hand-Off

"The Hand Off" 

This is a piece I made a couple of years ago, around the time of the BP oil spill in the Gulf.  I remember feeling so helpless, as CNN and all the other networks would show image after image of the devastation as the well continued to pump hundreds of thousands of gallons into the Gulf, (200,000 gallons per day) for almost 3 months before the well was capped. 

The only thing I could think of was "what a mess we had created" for ourselves and for the generations to come.  And it was not just the oil spill, there were so many world issues, many of which are still with us today:  the global economy, the wars in the middle east, climate change, and on and on and on . . .

This piece was  made to express what I was feeling at the time, and what I was hoping.  We are handing the next generation a 'messy world', my hope is that the next generation will learn from our big screw-ups, somehow be better able to care for our planet, in doing so, they will be able to take better care of themselves.

I was pleased with the way the turkey claw looks so ancient and the small hands reaching from below so young and pure, and full of hope.

Mixed media assemblage containing turkey claw, ceramic doll hands, wooden fish, dice and vintage papers. (11710)

Fun and Funky Necklace . . .

"Fun and Funky"●
A couple of months ago, I went to visit a dear friend in Seattle, and in one of the trendy downtown shops, we saw a necklace that she fell in love with . . . "I can make one just like that, I have all the 'stuff' "   I said . . .  what was I thinkin'? Just so we are clear, I 'do not make jewelry', but this was really fun, and it turned out great! (click on any image to enlarge)

I found a great silver-chain belt, and I started attaching 'stuff ': chandelier crystals, a sliver cross I bought in South Africa, a sewing machine bobbin (with thread), keys, a keyhole, a vintage optical lens and tiny silver charms from a bracelet.

I put it in the mail today - she should be getting it soon. . . .




(this is a photo of the one we was in Seattle. It is made up mostly chandelier crystals - it's lovely.)

"The Details of Life"

 

"The Details of Life" ●

Rock me.  This piece pulls the viewer in to see the details, in doing so, the viewer sees himself. . . . 

A 4" wooden picture frame became the base for this wall-hung mirror assemblage. Attached to the wooden frame are various and sundry found objects of any person's life. A license plate, a typewriter eraser, a tag from the Del Prado Museum coat room, dominoes, plastic scissors, vintage clock parts, guitar tuning pegs, fishing line, a red plastic monkey and of course "bling". On top is a vintage, silver metal drawer pull for easy carrying.

Lot's to see, to take a closer look.  (to enlarge  click any image to enlarge)

"Marin Museum of Contemporary Art"

"Marin Museum of Contemporary Art"(MarinMOCA)
A couple of weeks ago, I posted about having an entry in the 3rd annual Book Show auction at MarinMOCA. I am delighted to be able to show you the postcard above, where my piece,  "Altered Alice" has taken her place. (upper left).

The opening reception and talk by Donna Seager, of Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley  will be on April 21, will; be a grand celebration of altered books and book arts. If you are in northern California, do stop in.

Opening Reception: April 21, 4-7pm

Talk by Donna Seager at 4pm 

Exhibition dates: April 21 through May 26 

I50 Bay Area artists draw inspiration from old books destined for the dump to create a wide variety of artworks for this very popular show.   

Bigger and better than ever!   

Book Works offered in Silent Auction.  All proceeds go to MarinMOCA.   

 

HAPPY NEWS:  All winning bids will be MATCHED, dollar for dollar  

through a grant from the Collins Fund.      

"Happy 2012"

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art - write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself." 

                                    - Neil Gaiman

"I Saw One In A River Once"

 "I Saw One In a River Once"● 

Wikipedia.defines a double entendre (French pronunciation: [dublɑ̃tɑ̃dʁə]) as a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first (more obvious) meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic.

In this case, the double entendre is in the title.  It may signify that we saw a "fish" in a river, or that we saw the accumulation of "flotsam and jetsam" on the fish in a river . . . Either way, it is a compelling reflection, albeit, sad in many ways. . . .  Ironic?

For this earlier piece, a wooden fish was first painted with acrylic paints and then the entire surface is embellished with found objects, including buttons, watches, jewelry, bottle caps, and small plastic toys. Four wooden drawer pulls are his feet, and a vintage brass drawer handle is installed on top as a carrier.  (click on any image to enlarge) IN PRIVATE COLLECTION  9909

"Mirror Me"

"Mirror Me" ●
     A couple of weeks ago, after a few friends and I finished working on a mosaic project, I invited them all over to my studio, because they were all curious to see my 'workplace'.
     At the time, I was working on a several pieces, but "Burbank - The Hollywood Horse" was front and center on my work table. Also on the work table was "Rocky", the Rooster, you might remember both of these from earlier posts. I think everyone was amazed at "how much stuff" is needed to carry out the work of an assemblage artist. (truth be told, I am often over-whelmed myself).
     Both "Rocky" and "Burbank" are made in the style of the 'memory jars' popular in the 1800's.  Memory jars were made by covering the vessel in mortar and attaching small objects such as keys, shells, coins and personal mementos belonging to someone who had passed away.
     I call my interpretation of this art form: Memory Art.
     This piece titled "Mirror Me" was commissioned by a dear friend, and former co-worker, after her visit to my studio. The only criteria she gave me was: "I really want you to make me a mirror like this. . . and i would really love it if you could use all 'silvery things'.

The wood frame of a vintage mid-century mirror is the foundation for this piece. (similar to the fame pictured here)

First, I collaged the frame in layers of green and blue tissue papers. Then, I embellished the front and sides with vintage silvery keepsakes, including clock parts, jewelry, buttons, coins, bottle caps, beads and other found objects.
 

So here it is.  I hope she loves it . . .cause I really do.
If you want to take a closer look at any image,  hold down the 'control' key and tap the "+" key several times to enlarge.  hit "control" and  the "-" key to reduce

"Day Dreams"

 

 

"Day Dreams"●

At the edge of the garden, let the dream begin . . .
~ Author Unknown ~

Wkipedia defines a daydream as a visionary fantasy, one of happy, pleasant thoughts, hopes or ambitions, imagined as coming to pass and experienced while awake. Daydreaming can also be a reference to future planning or a review of past memories.

While daydreaming has long been considered a lazy, non-productive pastime, daydreaming can also be constructive and productive. There are many examples of people in creative, artistic careers, such as artists, composers, novelists and filmmakers, who will often utilize day dreaming to develop new ideas.

This whimsical assemblage is housed in a sewing machine drawer that has been lined in green tissues, mirrors and magazine images. A porcelain doll head, a music box and a protractor reflected on mirrors add to the story. The word DREAM is spelled out in Boggle letter dice.   The glass lidded box is dotted on the outside with acrylic paints (nail polish). On the back I have attached a beautiful brass calendar, and a vintage bingo card. The music box plays the tune "Somewhere My Love".

  

A life without dreams is like a garden without flowers.
~ Author Unknown ~

"Burbank" The Hollywood Horse

In trying to find a title for this piece i googled "famous horse names" and came up with several I liked:

• Mingo 
• Fancy Pants
• and Burbank

The "Mingo" people were part of the Iroquois group of Native Americans. The word "Mingo" is better recognized as the name of Daniel Boone's best friend from the 1960's TV series "Daniel Boone," where Mingo was a half-Cherokee, highly educated graduate of Oxford University and Daniel's constant companion. I thought this would be a good name for a trusty trail horse.

"Fancy Pants" is the title of a movie with Bob Hope and Lucille Ball, there was a horse named Peaceful but I like the film title better.

"Burbank" - This was the name of Danny Glover's cat in the 1987 movie "Lethal Weapon." It's also a good horse name for a horse that acts like a star.

I chose Burbank, the Hollywood Horse because this horse is definitely a 'star'.

In my typical style, I took a small wooden horse and first covered it in various papers and tissues. I applied a very long black zipper to the front legs of the horse (i think this is my favorite thing on this piece, next to the shoes)
btw: The reason the shoes on the hind legs don't match is because I used the mates on an earlier piece I made titled "Old Friends".

Click on the images to take a closer look, it is very fun to see all the bits, baubles and bling this little guy has collected along the way.

UPDATE:  Meet Janis, Burbank's new BFF!  (8/12)

"Things Were Different in 1959"

“Things Were Different In 1959" ● 

A silverware drawer provides the compartments to tell this story about life in the 50’s. I grew up on a farm in south Texas. On the farm we went to a Curandera (a medicine woman), not a doctor. We prayed to god and sang along with the “Mouseketeers". We played, we laughed and we wondered about a world bigger than our own. Our home was happy, it was safe and it was filled with stories, some mysterious and some wondrous.

Although we left the farm years ago, the memories are fresh and filled with mystery and wonder, still . . .

A Salvation Army bell, a Mickey Mouse toy, a rosary and other found objects tell the story inside a wooden drawer. The glass covered drawer is collaged on the inside with maps, an original vintage photograph of someone's grandmother, a hand written letter dated 1959, and anatomy images from Altered Bits. The backside is collaged with pages out of a "Gray's Anatomy" volume, a hand cut image of the human head is layered on top of the text.  (click on images to enlarge)
 

"The End" (Happy Birthday Zach)

"The End" (Happy Belated Birthday Zach) ●
A couple of months ago, my dear friend Sue Selman asked me to make this for her son, Zachary who was having a birthday soon.  I was thrilled. I have known Zach for about 10 years, he was a sweet teenager when I met him vacationing with his parents on the beach in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

He is now a handsome young man of 25 and is sweet and caring as ever.

From what I understand, he really loved getting this for his birthday, and I loved making it for him.  Happy belated birthday Zachary!  Hope to see you and Holly soon!

Inside a box lid, collaged in maps and layered in green tissue papers are children's wood blocks that spell out a saying attributed to John Lennon:

"everything will be OK in the end, if it's not OK, it's not the end" 

a miniature Hackney Carriage and a CAPPELLA drumstick finish the piece.

"Up To Your Ass In Alligators"

"Up To Your Ass In Alligators"●

   Simply put, I love working with scrabble tiles! These pieces are so fun to make. The hardest part is finding the perfect substrate to put them on. It can be a box, a lid, a small cabinet door, a picture frame, most anything will work, the tiles just have to fit.

    People love these simple works. On the days I work at the gallery, I love to watch people stand in front of these and try to read them. When they finally read through to the end, they will inevitably crack up with laughter. Sometimes they look around, hoping no one is watching.

    For this piece, I took a wooden game board and laid out the scrabble tiles to spell out my favorite saying: 

"WHEN YOU ARE UP TO YOUR ASS IN ALLIGATORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO

REMEMBER THAT YOUR INITIAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO DRAIN THE SWAMP"

     I attached a small rubber alligator on top. Ready to hang or sit on a stand. (click on image to enlarge)

Mosaic Stepping Stones . . . . a workshop?

To say that I have been in a 'creative slump' would be a huge understatement.  It seems like the 'mo-jo' is gone, the 'muse' is away on holiday, the 'juices' have run dry.    Truth be told, I have several art pieces started (10 to be exact) but for some reason none of them can get finished . . . . and I can't tell you why that is.

Has that ever happened to you?

Anyway, this past weekend, I invited 6 of my friends over because they all wanted to learn how to make mosaic stepping stones. . . . . I love making mosaics. And teaching my friends how to mosaic fulfilled my need to 'create' and, I guess I can also say that I just conducted my first little 'workshop'.  

Everyone did great, the stepping stones were beautiful, they all loved the process and I know they are hooked!  Anyway, these are the two stepping stones I made.  At least I can say I finished something, right? (please click on any image to take a closer look)

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope I can have something "fun and finished" from the studio to show you next week . . . .

Cheers!

"Secret Lives"

#5

"Secret Lives"●
This assemblage was made as a special  auction item for Face 2 Face, a local non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV.  This box is full of mystery, music, and muse, with images and tiny objects that may cause the viewer to become absorbed in thought; as they turn the imagery over in their mind meditatively and inconclusively. 

The box, formally a small clock box (7"x 6" x 3") is painted red, and covered in green tissue. The front of the box is metal, and I used acrylic paints (nail polish) to add color. A small metal medallion in the opening where the clock used to be is also painted. On the back are magazine and book images in brilliant colors of birds, flowers and Frida Kahlo. Inside are many tiny found objects to ponder.  I invite you to click on image #5 to enlarge it and take a closer look. 
I will only add that the music box plays "Pop Goes the Weasel".