“True Blue” is an original, handcut paper collage on 5×5 watercolor paper.

A monochromatic mini combining sewing directions, bits of road map, and a “True Confession.”

 

“Exquisite Silk” is an original, handcut paper/mixed media collage on 5×5 watercolor paper.

Anonymous gals pose in exquisite silk slips, while recliner guy gets comfortable.

 

“Violet Went to Town” is an original, handcut paper/mixed media collage on 5×7 matboard.

Violet missed out when she went to town as Venus crowns a touchdown referee with flowers on the television, as pudding recipes and an old greek building form the background.

 

“Flirtation” is an original handcut paper collage on 5×7 matboard.

I am struck by her eyes. She was in a 1950s men’s magazine ad, and her eyes just captured me. Add a little background – textbook and old ads – and, obviously, someone for her to be looking at – that’s where I came up with “Flirtation”. I didn’t start with her, though, or the background. I started with the photo. I got a couple of baggies full of black and white school photos at a garage sale last year. This was the only one of a couple, and the crack in the photo between the two started telling a story for me.

 

“Drips & Dots I” and “Drips & Dots II” are original handcut mixed media collages, each on 5×7 matboard.

A pair of simple, abstract collages, with circles of handcut ephemera on top of interesting book images, with india ink drips. Both pieces are also tied together with a science textbook image of cells.

 

“Drips & Dots I” and “Drips & Dots II” are original handcut mixed media collages, each on 5×7 matboard.

A pair of simple, abstract collages, with circles of handcut ephemera on top of interesting book images, with india ink drips. Both pieces are also tied together with a science textbook image of cells.

 

“The Look You Want” is an original, handcut paper collage on 5×7 matboard.

Mainly monochromatic, there are some elements of this piece that, I think, play nicely with the random text. “The Look You Want – When You Want It” and “You will be amazed at the exciting change in your personal appearance” work well with the sheep. Advertisers’ claims often try to get us to be like sheep, and follow the herd when it comes to personal appearance.

The funny drawn face, I decided to split in half. The eyes peek over the side and the grin is upside-down in the bottom corner. A bit of handcarved stamping in black ink adds a bit of interest and perceived texture to my little lambs.

 

“Red Car” is an original, mixed media collage on 5×7 matboard.

Of course, the old model red car is a striking visual in this collage, but my very favorite piece is the “Fill Box at This End” portion from an old Bingo game. The game came with a small red box with a cellophane window, and tiny round plastic Bingo numbers. You loaded the box up with these little tokens and then shook the next number out the other end of the box, which had a small slit in it.

Old board games are a favorite source for me. I have been known to use every possible part of an old game – the game board, the cards, the spinners, the play money, the tokens – it’s all a big game in trying to give new life to old games that might be missing a piece or two. Keep your eyes open at thrift stores and garage sales – there are treasures to be found!

Getting back to the namesake “Red Car”, this car came from another thrift store treasure – it was in an old 3-ring binder that was lovingly put together by an old car enthusiast. In addition to old newsletters from a Cadillac LaSalle car club, there were magazine clippings and pages of collectible cars carefully preserved in document protectors. I almost didn’t pick it up, as most old 3-ring binders at the thrift store are empty. I was very happy that I gave this one a second glance.

Also featured in this collage: old school workbook, ledger paper, rice paper, and a transfer image from a Lotería card.

 

“Mum’s the Word” is an original handcut paper/mixed media collage on 8×10 canvas panel.

Original artwork on décollage background, vintage zipper with tag still attached, and 50’s magazine ad “Mum” peeking out with some kind of secret, based on the smile on her face. High gloss finish, and wonderful texture to the décollage.

 

“New Outlook?” is an original handcut paper/mixed media collage on 5×7 matboard.

Okay, I feel like every day I am talking about a favorite source material. Today’s “favorite” has been a fave for a long time. I absolutely love incorporating corrugated cardboard into my work. The depth and texture is unlike anything else. This photo does not do justice to the depth of this thick piece of cardboard, but trust me, it adds a whole new dimension, so to speak.

The background is a black and white magazine spread of a desolate old graveyard, and the main image is a man, who appears to be behind a wall of some sort. Does he have a new outlook? Or is he just looking out?