May You Find Your Way To Your Treasures!

An Airplane Took Us - Postcard

As 2014 quickly draws to close, memories of the year...some good, some not so good...come rushing back to me. But over all, I am hopeful and looking forward to a New Year with new possibilities.

I designed this postcard for the LottoHEART exhibition hosted by Camp Rehoboth in Delaware. The exhibit displayed over two hundred cards. The theme of the card was set when in a magazine I found the Thornton Wilder quote:

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."

How true this is at all times of the year, but especially when we are saying good-bye to the old year and anticipating the start of the new.

Have you thought about what you treasure most? For me it's not only the cherished people in my life, but the feeling being creative, and listening to my Muse, gives me.

I warmly look forward to 2015's opportunities, the newest of which is my joining the Lunagirl Moonbeams' Design Team. I am excited and honoured to be part of the Team.

The substrate for the postcard is illustration board. Gleaned from magazine pages are the Wilder quote and the title edit at the top of the card. Postage stamps, a photo of the women, a decorative leaf, art and vintage papers complete the card.

As we move through the Holiday Season may your days be filled with all that your treasure!

What Are Your Cherished Memories?

There Is Only One Coney Island - Collage

Growing up in the Boro Park section of Brooklyn, New York afforded me a childhood filled with magic and mystery...and a feeling that anything we could dream we could attain if we lived a fearless life. And even though I no longer live in Brooklyn, it will always be home.

I can't reminisce without dreaming of Coney Island. For me, Coney Island is more than just an amusement park or a beach. It was, and still is for me, an all-encompassing experience. I loved the ride on the subway to get there, the salty taste of the ocean, discovering "wonders" in the Wax Museum, scaring myself to death on an assortment of rides, falling in  love Nathan's hot dogs and fries...but most of all...it was a time I shared with my Mom and my Grandmother. Our laughter and smiles will forever be enhanced by the glittering reflections of the Ocean. And I never fail to hear my Grandmother's voice saying "Grab your bathing suits...we're going to Coney Island" every time I see a full orange sun lounging in a simmering Summer sky.

Mother's Day is even more special when I think of all they gave me through their wit. wisdom, and encouragement. They shared their personal Muse with me and supported my search to find my own.

The substrate for the collage is canvas covered with various ticket stubs, art paper, handmade paper, and maps. The black and white photo is an image transfer on to packing tape. I finished the collage using acrylic paint and stencils.

What cherished memories do you share with the special women in your life on this Mother's Day? 

Earth Day...Forever Free

Forever Free

As it is Earth Day I thought I would post a collage with a nature theme. As the saying goes..."Earth without Art is Just "Eh". The Arts are what stirs our souls, makes us who we are, encourages us to follow our own Muse.

I started the piece with sewing pattern paper. I love the translucence and texture. It has a feeling of something not yet finished...the anticipation of what will be created.

The Substrate is canvas. Using the Tao format I felt would lend itself nicely to a visual breaking free.  The collage incorporates vintage ephemera, flower petals, handmade paper, sewing pattern paper, found objects, art paper, inks, dyes, and gauze.

And what better way to celebrate Earth Day? Collage is the ultimate in recycling And I think the Muse would approve...especially on Earth Day!

Collage: All Good Things....

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

   

I am usually a torn paper person. I love nothing more than to experiment with paper. I adore the way paper speaks with a language all its own with a sound and finished look that is unique.

As this collage uses a grid, I decided to step out of the world of organic edges and into the orderly neighbourhood of Squares and Rectangles. I decided to enhance the angular feel by cutting all of my papers. A bit more time consuming and different to my "tear and glue" method of collage, but I enjoyed it all the same. I wondered if my Muse was trying to teach me a lesson in patience.

The collage incorporates art papers, postage stamps, ticket stubs, wallpaper, newspaper, dictionary clippings, art tissue paper, and handmade papers. I enhanced some of the papers with inks and dyes.

For the most part, I used Matte Medium to adhere the papers to the 6" x 6" canvas substrate. I am not a great lover of the colour green. I did find some beautifully textured green paper. I covered it with Iridescent Medium. It then gave me the texture I wanted and toned down the green which I'm really not keen on. 

But now for a title. The first line of my horoscope was "Good Things Come To Those Who Wait". A message from my Muse? Perhaps.