Postcards from places yet to be seen

I recently received a call to participate in a mail art exhibition in Stockholm during August, the requirement simply being submission of an altered tourist postcard in any medium. I've always loved postcards and have my own collection (including both scenic and tacky categories) so this seemed like a fun project to contribute to — with collage elements added. Above is one of the three cards I sent last week, with an image of Old Faithful superimposed on a postcard of the St. Francis Cathedral that I'd picked up recently in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The postcards will be exhibited at Gallery KG52 in Stockholm from August 14-29, 2010. An exhibition of the submitted postcards from around the world can also be seen online. Inspiration behind the exhibition included the Picadillys of Dieter Roth and the Chop Art of Ray Johnson.

Below are the other altered postcards I contributed, at left, a Route 66 gas station and, at right, Santa Fe's oldest house.

  

Scenes from the Rip/Tear Collage Show

Here are a few photos taken during the First Friday ArtWalk on May 7th. Thanks to all who came by to see the show. Another artist's reception is Friday, May 21st from 6-8pm.  

Out of clutter find simplicity... collage debris

Finishing my Rip/Tear show has been a whirlwind. My studio space is still not recovered and I'm acknowledging that I desperately need to de-clutter in preparation for new work. (Tomorrow!) Collage, by its very nature, requires a certain amount of debris to accumulate as potential materials are stockpiled... then again as pieces are considered, rejected, altered, and perhaps end up in the collage... but quite often return to the pile! Thankfully, I can close the door on the studio when it gets overwhelming and retreat to other parts of our relatively simple abode.I've read about artists who toss all the materials that were considered, but went unused, for a specific collage piece. Somehow, I can't do that. Whatever originally drew me to the imagery keeps me interested enough to salvage it for the future, unless the scraps are absolutely diminutive! And therein lies part of the problem.This quote speaks to the issue and to the artistic process and makes an appropriate mantra. “Three Rules of Work: Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert EinsteinDid I mention the boxes of graciously donated magazines that are waiting to be sifted on the back porch?!

Ongoing: Rip/Tear Collage Show

It's been enlightening to be able to stand back and see the collages from several of my series on the walls at Rip/Tear, on view through May 29th. The work always seems to take on a whole new personality when it is hung beyond the studio. It's good to get some perspective on what I want to continue or revisit, in terms of themes, and inspiration for what I may want to launch into from here. Here are a couple of photos of the exhibition. Hope you can see it in person if you are in the area!Above: Collages from the Color Constructs series, 20 x 10 x 1" each.Below: Collages from the Abstract collection, various sizes. (For scale, vertical at left is 20 x 10 x 1.")