Memory, story, and "Lineage"

After a recent foray into a box of family photos—aptly labelled "OLD-OLD PHOTOS" (among other boxes labelled "OLD PHOTOS!")—and holiday traditions that call to mind people who now exist only in memory... I thought back to my "Lineage" collage. Above is a corner detail from the larger piece which measures 12 x 12 x 1." (To see the entire collage, click here.)

As I worked on this piece, I was thinking of the stories we construct about our lineage, the parts we cherish and highlight, those we diminish or conveniently forget, and the influences that stay with us. At this time of year, I tend to look back with fondness as I also look forward with anticipation... that corner figure speaks to the dichotomy of shifting attention and emphasis that I experience at year end. 

I'm currently laying the groundwork for the story of my upcoming year... spending time reviewing notes from recent brainstorming, strategizing, and planning. I look forward to working the plan and seeing how my life as an artist will unfold in the coming year. Quite empowering to realize that I create and craft my story!

"Very few people know how to work. Inspiration, everybody has inspiration, that's just hot air." — Beatrice Wood

Collage faces in portrait exhibition

"Introspection" | © Janice McDonald | Collage on paper, 10 x 8."My work is currently included in an exhibition, "Portrait of the Artist," a collection of portraits by artists from around the world. The show was organized by assemblage artist Dale Copeland of New Zealand.I'm happy to have two collages in the show, Introspection (above), and Alter Ego/Foundling."Introspection" was created on top of a catalog page that featured a photo of a model wearing a sweatshirt. The draping of the sweatshirt's folds somehow reminded me of the lines of a face. (I know, I know... I see oddball things in everyday images, without even trying!)Once the background was established, the other elements surfaced rather quickly to complete the image. This collage remains one of my favorites — the first of many faces to follow, most of which are available for viewing in the Foundling gallery on my website.Note: Those of you who read this blog via postings on Facebook will be familiar with "Introspection" because I use it as my avatar there. If you arrived at this blog post via an alternative route, please visit and "Like" the Facebook page to get regular updates on my art work. Click here to go there! Thanks."Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not of the sitter." —Oscar Wilde 

Four new "Poundling" pet collages

Recently I wrote about my prep work for these pet-inspired "Poundling" collages and wanted to complete that story by posting the finished pieces.The collages have been on display at a gallery gift shop here in Denver for a couple of weeks now. (Perhaps someone will permanently adopt them for the holidays!)It amazes me how much character emerges from careful combining of unrelated, repurposed paper. Probably a new record for fewest elements used: the dog at top left is composed of only four pieces of carefully selected imagery/color (not counting background).Each collage is 7 x 5 x 1/8," composed of contemporary papers with acrylic on hardboard support, unframed, and priced at $135.

Junk Mail Journal Collage circa 11.27.10

Haven't posted one of these in awhile... The 4-day weekend has given me time to return to this exercise in composition that deals only with what came in today's mail. It's always fun to play with paper and connections in my sketchbook.