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?

Color and Pattern

(Ann Hanrahan Images)

I recently discovered the art of Ann Hanrahan. To say that I am in love with her work is an understatement. Hanrahan, a painter, lives full time Northeast Ohio and part time upstate New York.

Her paintings are animated by an expert use of color and pattern. They almost dance off the canvas and are simply a delight to the eye. Her fresh use of color and overlapping patterns are an inspiration to my own work. The end result is a gorgeous juxtaposition of color, shape and line much like a collage.

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.

Color Changes Everything: Part II

In a recent post, I commented how color changes everything. By that I meant, how the background color transforms an object when photographing it.

After

Well for some time, I've been trying to find just the right background and lighting for my cherry stretch bracelet. Considering the sun here has almost been nonexistent in the past month, that has been the most challenging part. Finally, the sun came out recently, and I tried the image with a grey background. It's not perfect, but I think it's an improvement from before.

Before

What do you think? Which do you like better?

Winter Wonderland

I've just rediscovered polyvore and had so much fun making this digital collage. Unlike traditional collage, I didn't have to drag out all of my supplies, search for images and end up coated in glue.

I am intrigued by this format of collage creation and look forward to making more in the new year. I think I will add this exploration to my list of creative goals for the new year.