Passionate about Repurposing

I have become very passionate about recycling and repurposing artwork - For quite a while now I have used recycled print material for collage cards using images from flyers, catalogs, old magazines etc to create the texture or color I want to create a new image.  Now, I have started to re-imagine some of the art I have at home.  To decorate cheaply, I have often bought pieces at Ross or TJ Maxx that have colors I am using. However, now that I am creating more of our art work, I find my self scavenging around the house for pieces I am tired of or not using and using them as a base for something new.   Here I used two 9" x 20" Tuscan scenes I had gotten for $4.99 apiece and collaged a Klimt inspired duet.  Using the Lynne Perella angels featured on her stamps, I enlarged the stamp images and printed them directly onto decorative papers and of course freely used vintage text, tissue and napkins along with paint and gel medium.  Fun way to get a new look, and to experiment with ideas without a big commitment to supplies or canvases.  In my art as metaphor for life thinking, we take what we have and see its value in a new way, layer on the experiences of our lives and make what once seemed useless or less worthy and see it as the foundation it is in the evolution of our selves.

Life expanding

This year has unfolded in so many beautiful ways.  Not only has my artistic expression exploded in untold directions, our family is growing to include a daughter-in-law.  I have posted a piece I made for our newly engaged son entitled Viva Los Novios to the right. The couple has asked me to create the invitations for their July 7th wedding, and I have featured the chosen design here.

We are thrilled to have Erika in our family and celebrate the peace, joy and fulfillment she has brought to Elias' life.  I will be making the 100+ invitations by hand so each has the textural, unique element we are all wanting - and I am thrilled to do it.  What better way to celebrate life than to joyously contribute to a day to celebrate love and life!!

My First Video

Just had the wonderful opportunity to work with dear friend, Carol Hart, on an instructional video.  Simply click on the link here if you wish to see what we did! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ul_bcLNK1s  My artwork has kept me very busy since my cast came off, inspiration is everywhere and there is always some card or gift to be made.  Made the above set of "wish" cards for my son's 33rd birthday. Using imagery of particular relevance to him, or colors he often uses in his art made for a unique and much appreciated way in which I could share with him my hopes for his birthday and his year.  More to come as I explore expanded methods in working with multiple media - but suffice to say I am having a wonderful time expressing myself in this profoundly varied style!