Paper-making Addiction

I am having way too much fun at Elaine Brady-Smith's collage class. So much fun, in fact, that art admin stuff and most other things are not getting done. Elaine is teaching at the Art Association of Harrisburg, where I will teach digital photography this summer and fall.

This collages "Evening Walk 1" features a print from my original Holga photograph "Vespers" and homemade papers.

Papers! Ohmigosh ... What fun. I have become addicted and may never purchase another piece of paper in my life. I'd rather make my own and barter with other artists who also make their own papers. I stay up way late into the night to make paper. I fail to update my website, my blogs, etc ... because I MUST make paper. Elaine has created an addict!

At left is "Morning Light," which I liked so much that I mounted it, as is, on board, applied a varnish and it now hangs for sale in the gallery.

Joy and positivity

I guess reading all the bad news put me in the mood to make "happy" and "fun" work. Here's what's new.

"Go Fly a Kite!" has a mirror on the large kite, thereby allowing the viewer to connect with herself/himself.

Oh and my MMCA Marketplace Shop is updated big time... Check it out.

Meanwhile, here is a mixed media collage on finished. It's called "Joy and Bliss." It is on Bristol paper and marks a palette change for me. I am really starting to enjoy WHITE!

Renowned mixed media artists in Middletown

MMCA Marketplace Artists are scattered throughout the nation. In February, their work is under one roof for the first time and it is happening in Central Pennsylvania.

Middletown, PA - Not only have most of the members never met in person, the MMCA Marketplace Artists have never shown their work in a gallery as a group. This month, Arts on Union Gallery and Studio, 203 N. Union St., Middletown, exhibits their art. An opening reception will take place Saturday, Feb. 7 from noon to 5 p.m. There will be free refreshments and artists will be on hand to talk about their work.

MMCA Marketplace Artists opened for business in mid-2008, as the Dow was plunging downward. Its charter members were already online acquaintances through the MMCA, a larger network of artists who share tips and news and offer critiques on the work of other members. National and regional online and print publications have featured the work of the group.

The MMCA Marketplace artists exhibiting at Arts on Union have successful exhibition, publication and teaching credits. Despite the economic downturn and the frenetic pace of life, they continue to live and work as professional artists. Among the group are two Middletown artists, Elaine Brady-Smith and Christine Goldbeck. In addition to mixed-media paintings and collage on canvas and paper, the Arts on Union exhibit includes jewelry, note cards and three-dimensional work.

“It felt like Christmas all over again when the art for this exhibit started arriving from Wisconsin, California, Florida and other places. I am so glad to be able to show the work of this group and I am in awe of the talent and skill each has. The necklaces one artist sent are amazing. She hand drills each pearl, for example. The craftsmanship in these pieces is incredible,” Goldbeck, who owns Arts on Union, said.

Arts on Union opened in February 2008. Visit http://www.christinegoldbeck.com/ for more information about the February exhibit and workshops. Mixed media collage and mixed-media painting workshops are on February’s studio calendar to coincide with the exhibit.

Blue about Seeing Red - Fashion Statement

When the old journalist in me has something to say, look out. I become obsessed until the "rant" is out. Instead of just writing it out anymore, I often do verbal/visual things - usually mixed-media collages.

So, what happened between Thursday night when I sat down in my studio, and this morning, when I put the last coat of varnish on it, was "Fashion Statement Special Edition- Election 2008."

By way of background, I have made a series of "Fashion Statement" collage paintings. In the award-winning series are four objects, two of which were sold to private collectors earlier this year. Generally, I produce them in series and right now there is a "Fall Line" and a a"Spring Line".

The purpose of them is to get women to realize their self-worth in a materialistic culture that objectifies the female body. High school and college girls really seem to enjoy them and I am thrilled about this. They are my audience; they are who I most want to target with the message.

Okay, enough background. Let's move on the special edition I just made.

I truly am "blue" and "red" about the miles of column inches the media have devoted to the clothing worn by Hillary Clinton, Michelle OBama and Sarah Palin. I am sad and angry that the issue remains "what they wear" not "what they know" and "what they will do."

On Friday night, as I was tearing newsclips and routing through my stack of goodies I gather for mixed-media projects, I recalled reading a story about Greenspan earlier in the day. I hunted the current newspaper down, found the article and slapped it on the canvas, adding some of my own handwriting to point out that reporters did not bother to tell us what ole Al was wearing when he testified last week before the Senate.

So, yes, by Friday night, I was feeling just a BIT less angry and starting to have fun with the project. In fact, I stayed up way too late Thursday, Friday and last night making the piece. It is doubtful I would have slept anyway because I was too fired up about the issue.

Rather than go on ad nauseum about the piece, I'll invite you to visit the gallery and to talk with me (via comments here, if you want) about the INDECENT EXPOSURE of our female candidates and partners of candidates.