Affirmation, Imperfection, Creativity

I know I've been posting a lot about the Anointing the Goddess show and truth be told, getting ready for it has occupied a lot of my time over the last few months and as the show grew closer, especially this last week. I had so much fun creating my collages for this show and a lot of people have asked me about my process. I think of it as recycled art because I use as my base a lot of imperfect photos -- photos that may be blurry or too cluttered in the background, ones where I see the potential but I just didn't quite get it right. I manipulate these in Photoshop, cutting and pasting on various layers, using blending modes etc. until I get a new picture that I like. Then I may paint or draw on the photo digitally before printing it out and doing some handpainting with pastels, adding glitter or sewing. I scan the collage back into the computer and do the finishing touches, maybe some more digital drawing or making some other adjustments before sending it off to be printed professionally. I am thus able to make multiple copies of the same print.

It's awesome to create something you love and it's so much fun to find out others love it as well. I sold the above four collages this weekend as well as a number of pug greeting cards (I'll be showcasing those later). I had people email me today telling me how much certain collages spoke to them. One lady told me about her love of ballet and her infatuation with my pug ballerina pieces. An artist herself, she says she is working on selling a bunch of her art in order to buy mine. Photographer George Forss, known for his photos of the New York City skyline, told me how perfectly an out-of-focus image of a girl in one of my collages worked. I tell all this not to brag but to share how something wonderful can come out of something imperfect. These pictures all began as photos from the rubbish heap. In most other areas of my life I am always aiming for perfection, worrying if I don't get something right. In this area, I found a way to take something that wasn't quite right and turn it into art. I am working on ways to apply this to other things I do. In the meantime, I thank you all for sharing in my journey and enjoying my art. It is truly an affirmation to relax and enjoy being creative.

Hand Collage-Casting a Spell

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I wanted to post more tonight, but ran into computer problems and had to rely on my I-pad. I did want to share this photo collage, however. It did not make it to the Pig Barn Show (It was difficult choosing which ones to bring there), but it is in keeping with some of the images that I have been sharing lately. I seem to have become obsessed with children's hands and the way they hold objects. I was looking through my collages tonight and realized that my niece's hands were a focal point of this collage. Here, she holds a looking glass with a little witch inside. It was surprising to see that this theme has been showing up in my photographs and artwork so often. To me her hands are so relaxed and yet so composed in this picture. They were just waiting for something to fill them.

Anointing the Goddess

It's a busy week. Spent tonight getting my collages ready for the Pig Barn Show. When I first started creating them, a friend told me my collages reminded her of bookcovers so I've been sending them out into the world with short descriptive stories ever since. Had to create tags for those tonight as well as price tags.

The theme of the show is "Anointing the Goddess" and if that means celebrating the feminine than I believe my three pug collages do just that. First, they are of the three female pugs that I have owned. Second, these pieces are about body image and celebrating one's body and one's ability to dance. Many people consider pugs ugly. I know, shocking, right?! I think they are beautiful. It was partially this and my own insecurities with my body and those nightmarish gym classes that led me to combine the pug imagery with these little ballerinas. The three can be viewed as a set or individually so I decided to offer them both ways at the show. They are entitled "Come Dance with Me," "Don't Be Shy," and "You Know the Song."

Ch...ch..changes

After years of trying and talking about it, I am in the process of actually working with someone to get a web site up and running. This site will also feature a new blog, one where I actually write in addition to putting up pictures. I have so many new and creative opportunities on the horizon. I'm getting ready to start a writing workshop with Jon Katz -- a chance for me to actually concentrate on some of my own stories outside my freelance work and teaching -- and will be having my photographic collages on exhibit at his wife Maria's Pig Barn Gallery. I will also be attending a workshop on creativity this next month. With so many exciting things ahead I thought I'd start blogging more on my current blog (www.pugsandpics.com) until the new web site and blog is up and running. I hope you join me on my exciting adventure and thank you to all my friends, family, coworkers and mentors who have been so supportive of my journey thus far.

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Artist Reception

Photographers Alice MacDonald, Jean Andersen and myself will be having an artist reception and exhibit this Sunday, January 25th from 2 to 4 at The Local Buzz on Main Street in Bradford, VT. Each of us will be showing 8 of our works. Below are two of mine. If you are in the area make it a point to stop by. Look forward to seeing you!