Creativity Quote Bracelet

Last semester I created this collaged bangle for my Visual Communications class. The assignment was simple: create something (anything) that visually conveys a specific quote.

I choose this quote by Julia Cameron:

Creativity - like human life itself - begins in darkness

It fit perfectly with my idea of collaging a bangle, because the bracelet, like the quote, symbolizes the circle of life. Then playing off the quote again, I used a graduation of black, grey and white plain and patterned papers as the background. I placed the quote on top then added some stick-on gems for a bit of sparkle.

Then I presented it in this small box surrounded by black tissue paper, as if it were also emerging from darkness.

My New Muse

Over on Creative Perch, I've started writing a column about being everyday creative. The first week of my challenge I was supposed to make creativity my religion and come up with a ritual to honor that commitment.

I decided to incorporate my weekly collage making into my ritual of celebrating creativity. But first, I needed a muse to inspire me.

I found an image of an actual muse, "Seated Muse" to be exact. It's from a family guide at the Walter's Art Museum, where I visited earlier this year while on a brief trip to Baltimore. I placed her to the side with a mystical background and plain blocks of complementing colors to the other side.

Another New Collage

Can you believe it? Another new collage completed. Although, I already fell off the once a week wagon, I am happy to report that I am back to my collage schedule. Last week I simply had an unplanned blip in my schedule.

This collage was inspired by a black and white image of a house from my collection of art postcards. I worked the other colors and visual textures into the collage as a contrast to the stark house image. I also found a "Do Not Enter" sign that I thought was funny because while the background makes the house look cozy, the flat black and white image looks almost ominous. You like?

Chandelier Collage

Sometime last year, the friend, who commissioned these black and white collages, wanted me to do another piece that was similar but had a pop of color. She also wanted it to be a larger piece and to include an image of a chandelier.

Above is the background that I started with. I used paper from the previous 3 collages I had done for her but also added some book pages, toile patterned tissue paper and handmade papers.

Then I added the color contrast by using turquoise colored paper as a background for the chandelier image.

Finally, I used stick on jewels to decorate the chandelier and the border of the collage to give it a sparkly appearance.

LA Inspirations

I love LA! Ok, now I've said it. I think it is one of the most creative cities I have ever visited.

Here are a few things that inspired me on my recent trip there:

(Image by Me)

Above are lovely patterned pillows from the lounge at the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach. It was one of the hotels we stayed at during our trip and was so beautifully designed. I adored the soft purples and browns and the traditional patterns that were mixed with stripes.

(The Garden, Image by Jelena Rokanovic)

This is a piece from a collage artist, Jelena Rokanovic, I read an article about in LAX Magazine shortly after arriving. I love that she uses actual images and hand cuts them to create her art. There is nothing digital here.

(Image by Me)

Finally, these are some gorgeous vases with transferred imagery I spotted at the Huntington's gift shop. Unfortunately, I was shooed away after taking this image, since the shop was closing. Does anyone know who makes them?

Cultural Arts Day Projects

Over at my other blog, I posted about the Creative Power of Kids. This is the third year that I have participated in Cultural Arts Day at my nephew's school, which is also coincidentally the same elementary school I attended.

Below are the various projects I have done over the years from a bean mosaic to a tissue paper stained glass window collage to a totem pole this year. Enjoy!

(Year 1 - Bean Mosaic)

(Year 2 - Stained Glass Collage)


(Year 3 - Totem Pole)

"Wish You Were Here" Collage Postcard Exhibition

For the last 2 years I've participated in the National Collage Society's annual postcard exhibition. It's an inexpensive way to build your exhibition resume. My collages have been seen in Buffalo, NY and Glen Allan, VA thanks to this annual exhibition of mini-postcard size collages.

(Memories are Forever - 2008)

(Chinese Holiday - 2007)

But this year, I am not sure I will have time to complete an exhibition worthy collage before the May 1 deadline, because work and travel are keeping me extra busy this spring.

If you are a collage artist, I would recommend joining NCS and submitting a work, especially if you live near the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, OH or the Western Colorado Center for the Arts in CO, so you can see your work hanging in a real gallery. Trust me, it's a great self-esteem boost. Good Luck!

Pretty Pinks

As winter nears to an end, I'm looking forward to spring and all the colors it will bring. These pretty pink tulips inspired my spring color fascination. A gift for my recent birthday, they capture the essence of spring color.

I was so inspired that I went out and bought the paper below. Yes, that's paper. It's a lovely shade of pink and gives the impression of satin folds. I had no plans for it when I bought it. I've never used pink in any of the works in my shop, so far. But with spring just around the corner, I'm thinking this color is the perfect inspiration.

So, what should I make with this paper? A collage? ACEO? Bracelet?

Stone ACEO & Bracelet

I've added the final pieces from my fall/winter collection to my etsy shop. Considering the weather here has been cold and grey lately, it seems appropriate that I end with a grey ACEO and grey square bracelet.

For these pieces, I combined stone patterned paper with grey paper to create a contrast. I think the bracelet came out really nice. It's one of my favorite new pieces.

Pine Pin & Green ACEO

One of the new patterns I am working with this season is pine. It seems appropriate for winter and the holidays. Below I have paired it with green paper and collaged it on a wooden disk and later turned it into a lovely pin.

I've also created another new ACEO using this same motif. I admit I am intrigued by color blocking in my work. I love to work in the same shade of a color and then incorporate a photo pattern element.

Cherry

Just in time for Cyber Monday, I am adding new items all day to my etsy shop.

Here is my latest ACEO collage that features red and cherry patterned paper.

Also, I've created a new wood stretch bracelet with a cherry motif. Both pieces are heavily glossed for a shiny appearance.

LEAF Pin

To continue the fall leaf theme, I created this paper collage pin. Slightly smaller than the previous one, this pin has an 1 1/2" diameter. It also has a mix of orange and fall leaf papers collaged on a lightweight wood base. I had such fun making it and think it would look good on a winter sweater. It's probably not safe to attach to a coat or bag that might get wet!

Orange ACEO

It has been a busy fall for me, so I am a little behind in creating and posting new items from my fall/winter collection. It's not like I haven't thought about what I would create, it was more about finding the time to create. So with a little free time this week, I decided to just dive in to all of those creative projects waiting for me.

As you can see above, I am using orange this season. For this ACEO collage, I chose a burnt orange combined with a brighter orange to complement the fall leaf paper I raved about earlier. I also decided to use a horizontal landscape for my latest ACEOS.

In the next few months, I'll be revealing more new pieces here as well as posting them in my etsy shop. Look forward to seeing more stretch bracelets, new pins and patterns of cherries and stones.

Welcome Fall

Fall arrived today. Today is also the day I decided to devote to creating. Inspired by fall leaf printed paper (above), I completed a sketchbook collage and played around with a new idea for my fall collection: a brooch (or should it be a pendant?).

I realize this is my first sketchbook collage since spring. I apologize for the delay but have been putting off working in my sketchbook. I am hoping fall brings more inspiration. This latest one (above) was created by using the patterned leaf paper plus red and yellow papers for the background. The image in the foreground was taken from an old page-a-day calendar.

Finally, as I mentioned above, I am experimenting with new products for my etsy shop. This is my first try at creating a brooch (although it could also be a pretty pendant). Again I used the fall leaf paper and glued it to a 1 3/4" round wooden disk. Then I layered it with red and yellow paper and glossed the entire disk before gluing it to a pin post. Let me know what you think.

Frame it Up

Framing a piece of art makes it seem complete. Recently, I found an inexpensive frame and decided to mount and frame one of my first pieces. It was a special work to me, because it was my first piece featured in the National Collage Society's Annual Postcard exhibition.

Here it is before:


..........and after:

More ACEO Love

Here's my latest ACEO. This one is a collage of decorative lace paper combined with purple papers and sealed with a matte finish

Creative Field Trip

Last week, I had the opportunity to indulge my creative spirit. I stopped into the recently opened Papercuts & Gluesticks in Rocky River for the first time. What a delightful space, owner Kari Sanford has created!

The all white gallery, which sells collage supplies and original works even hosts classes, so you too can indulge your creative spirit. The current exhibition is by local artist Claire Mojher and is truly creative. Mojher's works have a whimsical and playful quality that inspired me and gave me some great ideas to try out in my own sketchbook.

If you are in the Cleveland area, I highly recommend stopping by Papercuts & Gluesticks. The Claire Mojher show is up till the 25th and well worth a look.

(Images Papercuts & Gluesticks / Claire Mojher)

ACEO Love

My new favorite art form is the ACEO. These tiny art pieces come in all colors and media but must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" in size.

I bought my first one last month, and now I have created my own series based on my latest collection of collages and bracelets.

Below is my first attempt, titled Green, combining green and grass papers in an abstract collage. What do you think?

My Art on a Tote

A friend had artwork from my mini fashion series transferred to a canvas tote and gave it to me as present.

Here's the front of the bag.

And the original collage.

Here's the back.

And the original collage.

Isn't this super cute!?!

Blue

Summer is the best time to appreciate cool blues. Here in the Midwest, we recently had our first heat wave of the summer. With temperatures reaching into the 90s for almost a week, I'm sure I wasn't the only one dreaming of a cool pool.

This 5x7" paper collage is the perfect relief from the heat. Using decorative blue pool paper, plain blue paper, and a lined note card I created this simple oasis.

More cool blue was used to decorate this stretch bracelet which has text diamonds on blue circles.