This website is a portfolio of my work in collage and assemblage I see beauty in everyday objects from the past and like to re-purpose them in artful ways in my pieces. A trio of old door knobs, well worn from all that opening and shutting, the patina is perfect. An ordinary document, for the sale of a parcel of land, so beautifully written, on parchment paper. Here are my attempts to give them new life and a new history.
Working on a new body of work under the theme of nesting this year for a solo show at Excellent Frame Works Gallery in Duncan this fall.
I thought it would be fun to create some paper nests.
I used old paper and maps to build up the nests trying slightly different styles. I added peacock feather strands to one, which I really like. The eggs were all slightly different with the speckled ones made from handmade paper and the others old letters and maps.
I am thinking of making some shadow boxes and other nesting themes small pieces. Perhaps a portrait in this theme as well. Stay tuned.
The unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.
24 by 24 inches
As I became a grandmother this year and I watched the instant bond form between my daughter and my grandson, I marvelled at the miracle that is motherhood, The profond attachment that grows stronger everyday. I decided to make a portrait about maternity and maternal love. I gifted this piece to my daughter for her birthday and filled it with all her special places. I wish you joy on this crazy journey of love that is beautifully messy, truly exhausting and so marvellously miraculous.
The ephemera: original vintage maps, charts, star charts and dictionnary words.
I have the following Collage Art Portraits available as high quality prints. They have been digitalized by a professional photographer. The prints are available as canvas stretched or fine art smooth paper. See price list
originals still available : passionate, curiosity, tranquility, materal and the listener all others have sold
A collage portrait
Celebrating the wisdom keepers, the grandmothers, the matriarchs, the crones. Many lives worth of learning, passed on to those who follow, from generation to generation.
Collage portrait 36 in by 36 in
The ephemera: original vintage maps, charts, star charts and sheet music.
Technique: watercolour pencil on papers.
To my surprise, this piece was not only accepted to Vancouver Island’s prestigious Sooke Fine Arts show it won two awards, Juror’s Choice and People’s choice. It was unexpected and encouraging. The response to this piece about appreciating the wisdom our elders gives me hope. Thank you to everyone for the votes, emails, messages, comments, and likes on social media. I really appreciate it
SOLD at the Sooke Art Show
Fine art prints available.
See my process video for this piece on Instagram
Here is my award-winning collage portrait Curiosity. What are you curious about ?
When viewing my portraits people often ask me who the person is? Is it someone famous? Is it someone I know? The answer is, my portraits are not a representation of a particular person, they are rather the embodiment of a concept: Curiosity, Attitude, Fluidity, Passion, Wisdom etc… I use photos in the public domain as a reference, but then combine, change and adapt them to suit my concept. I then use my drawing as a pattern for cutting out maps and papers to fashion the portraits. I have lately been experimenting with water colour pencils to enhance the colour of some of the maps and the backgrounds are acrylic paint.
The ephemera: original vintage atlas maps and start charts, old papers.
The size : 24inches by 24 inches
Won a juror’s award at the Cowichan Valley Spring Arts Show
Attitude: watch your attitude; don’t give me attitude; good attitude; bad attitude; the right attitude: do it with attitude; show me some attitude….I think we need more girls and women with some attitude and less complacency and compliance. When you hear the word attitude does it bring positive or negative to mind?
My collage portraits are about an idea or a concept not about portraying a likeness of someone famous or someone I know. I hide words about the concept in the piece and choose a gaze, a palette and map places that support that idea.
SOLD to Mona . I am glad you love it.
Size: 30 inches by 30 inches
The ephemera: vintage atlas maps and star charts
A quirky trio of creatures in the sea. Octopus Escape, Three lLittle Koi and a Whale Stack.
I love using old marine charts in combination with the brightly coloured vintage atlas maps.
Enjoy.
Octopus Escape
Whale Stack Sold to Joanie
Three little Koi
Size: 7 inches by 7 inches
75 CAD each
Have you ever wanted to peek behind the scenes and see where artists create the magic? Come out to the Cowichan Artisans Fall Studio Tour Oct. 26-27, 10 to 5 daily. One of the great things about the tour is that you get to visit some of the loveliest spots in the Cowichan Valley as you visit our creative spaces. I am number 11 on the tour map, one of two artists in Maple Bay. There are 14 studios featuring 16 professional artists who work in a wide variety of mediums. This is a free event that is great for family and friends. learn more here https://www.cowichanartisans.com
You can scan the QR code to take you to our google map.
Come and visit my quirky studio
You can see some of my latest works on display
This past year I was very fortunate to have my artwork chosen to grace the cover of several Art Books and Magazines
Faces of Collage an international book featuring collage artists from around the world.
The Valley Voice a Vancouver Island Art and Community Magazine
Ekphrastic Reversed a book about Poetry and Art
Sea and Cedar A Vancouver Island Magazine featuring Literature and Art. I have ten photos and an Interview in this one.
Solo Show at the Mc Millan Arts Centre in Parksville March 4-31 2024
133 McMillan street Parksville BC
Please Join me at the Opening Reception March 9, 1 to 3pm 2024, all are welcome.
I will be showing the majority of my available work…33 pieces ranging in themes from the whimsical to the curious, to the the thoughtful. Come and see for yourself.
If you can’t make it, you can see my work April 27,28 during the Open Studio Tour with the Cowichan Artisans..https://www.cowichanartisans.com/events
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