Midwest Collage Society opening reception

My daughter Tammy Deck and I pose next to my collage/assemblage entry "With No Forethought". Tammy is wearing one of her hand felted, attention getting scarves.  There was so much interest in her felting process that she was asked by our education chair to do a demo for our group, possibly in the fall. This new exhibit will be at the Addison Center for The Arts until April 7, 2012.

Art in Public Spaces

Yesterday I took these two collage pieces of art to the Plainfield Township Offices at 22525 W Lockport St, Plainfield, IL. The Plainfield Art League members display some of their art work at this facility so workers, and visitors can enjoy being surrounded with original art on a daily basis.

The art can be purchased by contacting the artist directly.

Dream

Flora

Assemblage box reconstruction



Assemblage #218
After reconstruction

I have been spending a good deal of time contemplating my next step with my 2D assemblage artwork.  I have many pieces packed in boxes that came back from various exhibit situations needing attention for a variety of reasons. When work goes out on exhibit at a gallery, to an art fair, or on consignment in a shop, it often returns somewhat different then when it went. In my case, it's generally the metal frames that bear the brunt of handling mishaps or environmental miscalculations. Unexpected bad weather being the greatest tragedy at an outdoor fair.

So now, I have determined it's time to visit these boxes and see what's there and what is needed. Reworking/reconstructing the art is also a concept I am ready and willing to embrace. 

My intent in my mixed-media assemblage artwork is to develop abstract compositions. I often work in a series

and choose items one by one from my vast accumulation of elements using an instinctive sense of design. Some of the objects are found; some presented to me by others and some acquired by happenstance. Many, but not all, of these elements are specially treated to alter their origin. Other collage fragments are specifically developed from artist materials with paint and layering techniques.
So here's the results of the first one, it's going to a Midwest Collage Society group exhibit of collage/assemblage artwork. I'm pretty satisfied with the results.
What do you all think


Photo collage

Inspiration for current collage project.

Another great frame

Another great frame found in the garage!! This one didn't need much at all, just a bit of gilt rubbed on the corners and it was ready to compliment this work of art.
 "he said to Simon" now on exhibit at the Plainfield Art League gallery. It is a candidate for selection to the Best of the Best exhibit presented by the Alliance of Fine Art. This will be their 19th annual Fine Art Exhibit held at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in the spring.

Art Journal Fun

Here's the two page spread I plan to work on today. This is one of my smaller art journal's that I have not worked in lately. It's time has come. Four hours at the Plainfield Art League each Friday has become a fantastic opportunity for me to focus on my personal journals. The majority of my life's work has been created not only because I really do enjoy doing it, but always with the purpose that someone else would love it and want to purchase it.

That scenario presents a number of different challenges. Selections of color, design, style, imagery are all viewed from a perspective that focuses more on marketability than personal expression. Once I made the commitment to allow myself to create work solely for my own pleasure, and that was not an easy mental shift, I'm having more FUN.

Paper, Process & Perception

Art Journal Friday

I will be working on my art journals at the Plainfield Art League today. I’m “on duty” from 12 – 4. We have lots of space and plenty of tables to work on. I’d love it if some of you would come and join me. This is NOT A CLASS, just a casual get together to have fun making art.

Art Journals

yes, I have SEVERAL. I needed to clear a surface to work on my homework for the art journal class on the 13th. You know how one thing always leads to another? Rearranged the entire area to make tools, supplies, ephemera, etc. more convenient. Also, remember that red chair I bought a while back? Well it’s now the collage area chair. I gathered together all the art journals, altered books, sketch books and put them all in easy reach. There’s no rule that says you can only work on one art journal at a time.  In fact, several of the artists whose books I’ve been reading lately say they work on several at once. I will take photos and post them in a little while, right now I’m having to keep track of how long the sprinkler is doing each flower bed.

Altered Book page spread

This is a two page spread from an altered book created when I was teaching myself this NEW creative technique.  It has been taken out of the original book because I really like it and think I want to display it in a frame. One of the things I learned during this process is sometimes a really good result can be on the opposite side of another really good result, and you have to make a decision if you are willing to give up the other side. Fortunately, in this case, it wasn't an issue. But there are a few others in this same book that I'm not yet ready to relinquish.  Keep the entire book together? That is certainly what many altered book artists do and I hope that some day I will get to the point where I'm happy enough with all the pages and can do that.  I'm no where near that yet.
Progress not perfection, right?

between the lines

BETWEEN THE LINES is the next exhibit theme at Naperville Art League. Here’s a few of my photos that I am considering using for my collage.

my first landscape

This new collage is the closest I’ve ever come to something that looks to me as a landscape. It even contains specific subject matter relating to a “theme”. WOW, I like this progress, so far. Using my personal photographs has been my desire for some time, but accomplishing this in a manner that satisfies me has only recently been achieved. These 3 show progress and give me the courage to continue.

FLORA

CUT & RUN

HE SAID TO SIMON

I’ve posted them in order of completion to review the development. I like seeing them together like this. The next theme is “Reflections” for the PAL, hmm.

he said to Simon

HE SAID TO SIMON,  by JoAnn Deck
16 X 20 mixed media collage on canvas
all photo images taken by and are the property of the artist
currently on exhibit at Naperville Art League, Naperville, IL.

Carillon Collage

Here’s what I entered in the Plainfield Art League members exhibit for June/July. I took the photo a few summers ago. CARILLON by JoAnn Deck

Mixed Media with digital photo image developed by a professional lab

12 X 12 gallery wrapped canvas
currently on exhibit at Plainfield Art League, Plainfield, IL

COMPLIMENT

COMPLIMENT by JoAnn Deck

Mixed Media Collage

24 X 36
Currently on exhibit at Norris Gallery, St. Charles, IL

Noveldom Abatement

Noveldom is not over yet, but seems to be subsiding. Not sure yet if it’s the current story or the whisper from the studio. Last week sometime I visited the Cloth Paper Scissors on-line group, probably when I was working on that “Running with Scissors” entry, looking for inspiration. But I digress.
Today Judi Hurwitt wrote in her BLOG,“Energized and inspired by last week's interview with Sherrill Kahn and the peek we were given at her new work, Monday morning found me setting up the wet studio for some marathon fabric painting. I used to spend days and days doing this- mostly on paper and wood- and I have missed it a lot, lately.”
Hmmmm, I’m relating to that last line about missing the painting process. So I’ve  hauled out some of my collection of collage inspiration and put them next to my reading chair.

What might happen next?

Cut & Run

Here’s a quick shot of this new collage that’s going to the Naperville Art League for members exhibit with the theme “Running with Scissors'. Gotta go now, more about it in the next post.

Collage of Quilts

Here’s the collage piece I created with Walgreens on-line help. I already had the photos uploaded to their site, so playing around with the placement, background and title was all I needed to do. It was really quick and easy. I requested store pick-up and they notified me by email when it was ready. I’ll do this again.

Thematic Art

Yesterday I received an email from Laura Thoma, that she calls “a creative infusion”. Here is the content/creative challenge.
“Many people struggle when faced with the need to create for a specified theme.  This month's exercise is a fun way to practice and hone this skill.  First, write a list of commonly used phrases; for example, time is money.  Next, you're going to choose your theme by closing your eyes and pointing to a phrase on your list.  Then, ask yourself, "how many ways can I express this theme?"  Jot down a quick list of what comes to mind.  After that, set a doable goal to create 3 to 4 different expressions of this theme such as art pieces, speeches, or presentations.  Remember to stretch and strengthen your creative muscles by working in diverse mediums or with technologies that challenge you.  Get excited about learning!  The more you practice this exercise the more you will build your skills, challenge your brain and increase your confidence.  This process is a great way for artists to practice creating a cohesive body of work.  Solo Exhibition, anyone?” Laura Thoma.

Of course, I believe this was pointed directly at me!!! I have on more than one occasion, expressed my frustration regarding art exhibits/contests that require a specific theme. My personal artistic expression is rarely informed by such direction. I begin with color and develop the work in an intuitive, spontaneous manner. Mixed media collage being my primary method to develop my art work. Putting something on, taking something off, covering it all up, removing most, is the way I am accustomed to proceed, with the color continuing to lead the way.

Having given this topic much thought and consideration, I now realize it's not so much working with a theme that I have a problem with, BUT SOMEONE else's theme !!! This obviously, to me at least, is an EGO problem of not liking to be told what to do !! This behavior further manifests itself when I procrastinate over filling out forms, hate that, and filing my income taxes !!  Very insightful, yes?

Alliance of Fine Art Award Winners Exhibit

Today is the drop-off day for this award winner to be delivered for “The Best of The Best” exhibit.

To be eligible, a piece must have won an award in a member league’s show within the last two years.

“FOUNDS FOR DOTTIE” 16 x 20 Collage/Assemblage

This has become a very special piece of art for me and is NFS. I created it for a dear friend several years ago and it hung in her bedroom until her untimely death. Her family, an exceedingly gracious group, returned it to me to keep in my personal collection. Having it seen and appreciated by others makes it even more favored.

 Alliance of Fine Art

Established in 1962, the Alliance of Fine Art, a non-profit organization, is an alliance of several artists’ leagues in Illinois. 

Our mission is to promote fine art awareness and appreciation in our community, support art education in our schools, share resources and provide educational as well as exhibition opportunities for artists. This includes the fine art of painting, watercolor, collage, photography, pastels, colored pencil, drawings, sculptures, acrylics, mixed media, ink and oils, and more.

Mayslake Peabody Estate

The AFA:

• comprises thirteen member art leagues

• organizes educational and marketing workshops for artists 

• organizes juried art exhibitions

• organizes juried art fairs

• funds high school student art scholarships

• shares and disseminates information among the member art leagues

2008 Exhibit Winner photos