Collage #34

Collage #34 was started back on October 12th. I was going through a challenging time. I thought it would be cathartic to write down one word or short phrases that expressed how I was feeling. I finished the collage on October 16th when I added the bleeding tissue paper. Even though the personal text is concealed, it took me all this time to feel comfortable sharing this collage.  

You can read more about the original 30 day challenge started here. 

SAQA's Shades of Passion

It's the final day (not October 31st) of SAQA's Shades of Passion exhibit at Poway Center for the Performing Arts. There is a final docent tour on today at 11am. If you can't make it to the exhibit, Luke and Laura Bisagna made a video of the reception. To view the video, please click here.

"The Life Cycle" exhibit at Fullerton College

Today I met a friend at Fullerton College to view "The Life Cycle" exhibit. This is another exhibit that has inspired to push myself creatively. Some of the text below is taken from Fullerton College's website page.

This exhibit features the work of the following three artists, who examine the cycle of life, death and the afterlife.

Poli Marichal's prints use the tree of life image as symbols of our need to be rooted and safe but, also, of our desire to transcend our limitations and branch out into the cosmos.

Adam Watts' assemblage sculptures connect with our mortality and innate spirituality as seen through the rich world of our senses.

Julie Yeo's paintings explore the concept of communication with the deceased through the lens of Korean Shamanism.

My friend and I ran into the curator, Carol Henke, at the gallery. She invited us to join her afternoon class because Julie Yeo was the guest speaker. Julie talked about her artist residency, Korean Shamanism and her dreams. What a treat! 

If you are in the Fullerton area before December 1st, I highly recommend this exhibit. The address of Fullerton College Art Gallery is 1000 Building, Room 1004, 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832. Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday 10 am-12 pm & 2 pm 4 pm. Evenings November 5, 19 & 24, 6 pm-8 pm. Admission is free!

Threads That Bind: A Cultural Identity

This weekend I made the trek up to Los Angeles to see some friends and to see "Threads That Bind: A Cultural Identity" exhibit at American Jewish University curated by Georgia Freedman-Harvey on Sunday.

Sunday at the exhibit started with panel discussion with the some of the artists. 

Then onto the exhibit! 

Connie Rohman
Matriarch Letters - Leah to Rachel
Shorthand Series 2014
Fiber and sewing thread

I've known Connie for quite some time and really admire her as an artist and a friend. You can learn more about Connie and her art here.

Gwen Samuels
Threadbare
2007
Photographs, used silk teabags and thread

Learn more about Gwen here.

Vicki Reikes Fox
Tamar's Purse
Concealed and Revealed Series 2004
Collagraph print and mixed media

I couldn't find a website for Vicki but you can google her to find out more information about her art.

Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga
Savannah Sunset
2014
Fabric, beads and stainless steel wire

I first saw Naomi's artwork when I attended Surface Design Conference last year. I blogged about her exhibit  here. I have such an admiration for her artwork. As they say "it speaks to me". To learn more about Naomi and her art, check out her website.

I hope you have a chance to see this exhibit in person. After seeing it, I was so inspired to push myself as an artist. 

SAQA's Shades of Passion reception photos

I almost forgot that I took a few photos during SAQA's Shades of Passion reception at Poway Center for the Performing Arts. I didn't get all the artists' names and titles for each piece. Check out the exhibit to get the complete information. The exhibit runs until the end of October.

"Das Blohm" by Mia Bloom

"Wildomar" by Mia Bloom

left and center piece by jo griffith, right piece by Eileen Wintemute

left and right piece by Trish Charity and center piece by Linda Anderson

  

both pieces by Laura Bisagna

artwork by Kathleen McCabe

Collage #33

I'm still creating small collages that I started back on this post. Collage #33 is a reminder to myself to choose my words carefully before I speak. 

Collage #33

SAQA "Shades of Passion" reception reminder

Just a reminder that the reception for SAQA's "Shades of Passion" is this Friday, October 10th from 5pm to 8pm. I have two pieces in this exhibit: "Das Blohm" and "Wildomar". If you are in the area, stop on by!

Poway Center for the Performing Arts

15498 Espola Road

Poway, CA 92064

858-668-4693

Collage #32

I'm still creating small collages that I started back on this post. I won't be making them daily. Just when I'm inspired.

In the beginning, I told myself to post all the collages even the ones that aren't successful. Now that I'm looking at this collage after it's been posted, I see some elements that didn't work. I wanted to incorporate weaving the colored tissue paper into the sketchbook paper. The unevenness doesn't bother me. It's the scale and placement. Also, the small, uneven brown tissue paper bits on the lower left side seem out of place. Am I being too critical? It's all a process.

Collage #32

Collage #31

I was inspired to create Collage #31 to have a record of where I spent the majority of my time this week.

Collage #31

SAQA's Shade of Passion exhibit

The Southern California showcase exhibit by SAQA called "Shades of Passion" opens today. I'm excited to announce that I have 2 pieces in this exhibit. I will post photos of the artwork after the reception on October 10th 5pm to 8pm.

Beyond the Edge Fiber Artists: "Fiber Perceptions" exhibit

The "Fiber Perceptions" exhibit by Beyond the Edge Fiber Artists is moving on to Quiltfest Oasis Palm Springs this week. I'm a proud member of this group and have a piece in this exhibit. The festival runs from October 2 - 4, 2014 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. 

Collage #30

WooHoo! Here is the final collage #30 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Collage #30

I'm planning on exploring collage but not on a daily basis. I have some fiber pieces that I need to start working on. Here is a list of things I learned by creating these collages:

1. Creating one small piece of art a day is doable.

2. Limiting the time for each piece helped to elevate the urge to over think and judge the piece.

3. I tend to use orange a lot. I use to be a "green" girl.

4. I'm embracing darker, muted colors.

5. Layering, layering, layering

6. I got into tearing up the paper.

Collage #29

Here is Collage #29 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

This collage is a tribute to an amazing artist and supportive friend, Linda Friedman. She loves red circles and birds. Here's to you, Linda!

Collage #29

Collage #28

Collage #28 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Collage #28

Collage #27

Here is Collage #27 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

I decided to lighten up this collage because the last few have been very dark. This collage was inspired by the artwork of Jason Rohlf but in my style. When you get a moment, please check out his artwork.

Collage #27

Collage #26

Here is Collage #26 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Collage #26

Collage #25

Here is Collage #25 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

I like the way this collage turned out. It incorporates painting, stenciling and, of course, collage. 

Collage #25

Collage #24

I'm nearing the end of myself imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here. Here is Collage #24.

This collage incorporates the use of bark paper that I printed with white acrylic paint. I love the way this paper shreds when you work with it. I'm thinking of using bark paper for a larger piece. It was fun to test it out on this small collage.

Collage #24

Collage #23

Collage #23 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Is this piece a collage? Hmmm? Technically,no but when I was cutting up the paper this design came to mind. Another artistic license collage.

Collage #23

Collage #22

Collage #22 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

I'm happy with the way this piece turned out. The design reads as a pattern repeat. I like the color combination. Very earthy.

Collage #22

Collage #21

Collage #21 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

I like the simplicity, layering and colors of this piece.

Collage #21

Collage #20...sort of

Collage #20 (sort of) of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Technically, this piece isn't a collage because it's only one element on the page. I was playing around with painting used dryer sheets. This crumbed piece had wonderful texture when I adhered it to the sketchbook so, I decided to leave it as is.  Let's call it artistic license. 

Collage #20

Collage #19

Here is collage #19 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

Collage #19

Collage #18

Collage #18 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

As with Collage #17, I added a little social commentary in this one. This time it's a bit more subtle.

Collage #18

Collage #17

Collage #17 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.

I've been looking through fashion magazines lately for images/text to use in these collages. I couldn't help but add a little social commentary in this one.

Collage #17 

Collage #16

This is Collage #16 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here. The past collages using images from magazines haven't been successful...in my opinion. I'm happy with the way this collage using magazine images turned out. 

Collage #16

Collage #15

This is Collage #15 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here. The organic circle stamp was created by my friend and amazing artist, Linda Friedman. You can purchase her stamps from her etsy store, Linda's Art Quilts.

Collage #15

Collage #14

Here is Collage #14 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here. I'm still trying to work out how to use magazine images in my collages. 

Collage #14

Collage #13

This is collage #13 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here.  I really like this piece if I do say so myself. Using real leaves on top of the handmade papers seems very organic to me. "Pleasing to my eye" as they say.

Collage #13

Collage #12

Here is Collage #12 of my self imposed challenge of creating one collage a day for 30 days. You can read more about it here. 

This is another collage that I don't particularly like. As with Collage #9, I'm posting all my daily collages even the ones I think are unsuccessful. 

Collage #12

Collage #11

You can read about this self imposed daily collage challenge here. Okay, I have to admit this collage took longer than 30 minutes. Cutting up the paper into small pieces then gluing them down was a bit tedious but worth it.

Collage #11