Artists are creatures of habit. We talk about developing a style and a look, but it becomes so much deeper than that. Eventually, we develop a way of thinking artistically that is our own.
So one of the strangest things to do as an artist is to change media. Because it inevitably changes the way we think about how we create.collage
Strangely enough, changing from fiber art to Photoshop was not as bad a stretch as I thought it would be. They’re both done in layers, and what matters is the order of the layers.
Why the change?
I’ve gone through some health passages lately. Last year I spent around 5 months in bed with leg and foot troubles. Wailing around with fabric was hopeless. Getting into the studio was hopeless too. I started working with art that could be in my bed with me.
I’m certainly not the first. Matisse was bedridden for a while and did the most amazing art cut-outs of paper painted with gouache. The art doesn’t stop because you’re ill or unable. It’s like water flowing. It finds it’s own way.
Will I go back to fiber art? I hope so. But the collage has filled a fascinating place for me, and I’m still compelled by it. And dragging large quilts through the machine is physically tough.
So in celebration of having made a lot of eye candy, I’ve made a little book of these things. One More Once Upon a Time is a collection of collages made from illustrations of Kay Nielsen, Tenniel, Denslow, Neill, and Grandville. This is a small gallery book of these that I hope you enjoy as much as I do. Available on Amazon and in my Etsy store ( should you want a signed copy.)
You can see more collages on my web page for that.