The Cottage on the Hill, 8x10 Collage

So every day the news is basically the same: a body is found, a car crashes through a house, an elderly person is lost, a bank is robbed, someone is bitten by a shark or an alligator. Well, maybe the animal bites don't happen every day, but the rest--yeah, pretty much every day.

When I am tired of all the tragedies, I like to retreat to my own little world, with purple hills and steps made of candy, out of reach of errant cars. A little whimsy is good for the soul.

PURCHASE

The Loons, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

I saw these beautiful loons when I was in a boat on Big Lake in Alaska. Hearing their mournful calls from far away is quite nice, but they have some other calls that are not as appealing. Male and female loons look alike, but the male is a bit larger. They can dive to depths of 32 yards and can stay submerged for fifteen minutes. That's my loon lesson for the day.

PURCHASE

Big Apple, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

Every collage is a new adventure. It seems that when I get down to the last details, I spend a great deal of time going through magazines for just the right pieces. When the illusion comes together it's a very happy thing.

PURCHASE

Spoonbill Ballet, 10x10 Collage on Canvas

This is another Spoonbill by request. I love doing these things, but they do make my brain tired. First, I draw it; then I scout the magazines for the colors, shapes and values I need; then I have to picture whether each piece will create the proper illusion. Then I make a huge mess and get glue all over my hands. I have dispensed with the waste of time and effort caused by trying to use a brush. Fingers work quite well and are much more easily cleaned.

SOLD

Spoonbill Collage, 10x10

I've done this guy in oils, and I have to say, this was much more of a challenge. Sometimes I find the perfect piece of paper but the quality is not good; however, in the end my paper scavenger hunt worked out.  I am very happy with the result. I never tire of Spoonbills, with their gorgeous plumage in my favorite color, and a face like a spoon. Nature has a sense of humor.

SOLD

Plaid Pears, 8x10 Mixed Media

This was just plain fun. I didn't know where I was going with this, but I rather enjoy the result. It's hard to get me away from oils and collage, but sometimes it's good to play around with other media. This is definitely a kitchen painting, wouldn't you say?

PURCHASE

Spoonbill in Flight, Collage 10 x 10

 I always reach a point in a collage where I think, "Is this going to work?" I was having trouble with the wings until I found some pink Gerbera daisies that worked just right.

Side View

This painting may be hung without a frame.

PURCHASE

Steve Jobs, 24 x 30 Collage

This was a brain strain, but Steve Jobs has my undying gratitude for the products that I use every day, so it was worth it. I am not the most patient person (my children are nodding), so anything I can use to easily manage images and documents is absolutely essential to me. It's a lot easier to work hard on a portrait when you are inspired, and my only regret is that I didn't buy Apple stock years ago. I would be able to afford all these art supplies now.

As far as collage goes, this should hold me for a while. I'm going to use some squishy, expensive oil paint now.

Cindy's Cardinal, 4x4 Collage on Stretched Canvas

This is my last little bird collage. It's way too much work for such a tiny piece of art. It was fun, but takes more patience than I actually have. To be a woman of a certain age, I am remarkably impatient. When does that mellowing stuff set in?

SOLD

Green Parakeet, 4x4 Collage

This little birdie is actually named "Birdie," and loves the guitar. These tiny collages are just as hard to do as big ones, so I think I will stick to bigger ones soon. However, there is a tiny cardinal coming up...

SOLD

Teeny Birdie, 4x4 Collage

I thought I'd see how small a collage I could make. This is only 4x4 inches. It's on stretched canvas and needs no frame.

 SOLD

Soft Landing, 8x10 Collage

Color follows trends, and I guess bright yellow is not trendy now, because it was difficult to find a yellow that would give this butterfly some "punch." I finally discovered this buttery yellow in Dr. Oz's sweater. He is always so helpful, isn't he?

 SOLD

Purple Shoe, Collage, 10X8

Yes, I was taught and inspired by Derek Gores, the fabulous collage artist. Now I can't stop! I love painting, but this is fun too. Thank you, Derek!

I have had two paintings accepted into the Women Painters of the Southeast 2012 Members Show; Leap of Faith and Spoonbills--oil paintings, not collages.

 NFS

Blue Frog, 12x9 Collage

This little dude is the Blue Poison Dart Frog. The toxin from these frogs was used by South American Indians to poison tips of blowgun darts. Needless to say, these little guys have few predators in the jungle. In the wild, its diet of ants, termites and beetles causes its skin toxins. In captivity, a more bland diet renders the frogs non-poisonous.

My frog is made of ripped magazines and is perfectly harmless.

PURCHASE

Esmeralda, Collage on Canvas Board, 24x18

This collage took me way longer than I anticipated. I used a canvas primed with gold gesso, some of which is peeking through. After doing the whole painting I added touches of copper and gold paint, keeping with the whole gypsy vibe.

This is all fashion and home decor magazines. The finished product is varnished for protection from UV rays and other atmospheric problems. I must say, a small "daily painting" is going to be very restful after this!

PURCHASE

Fowl Play Collage, 8x8

I liked this guy so much I did him as a collage as well as an oil painting. This is an 8x8 collage on gallery-wrapped canvas, all sides completed so it may be hung unframed.

SOLD

Night of the Iguana, 24x18 Collage

Once I start a collage, it's hard to stop. I am loving this medium. There are a lot of interesting things in this one. Can you see the bowl of popcorn?

PURCHASE

Apples and Wine, 10x12 Collage

I could do collage all day. This was one of our activities during our retreat in the mountains, and we had a great time, guided by Donna, our Collage Leader and Noted Limerick Writer. This week I will be taking a collage class from Derek Gores, whose work is quite awesome. What fun!

PURCHASE