A Little Tweak Will Do Ya

Sometimes a piece doesn’t quote work. It’s almost there. But it’s missing something. Recently, after trying out a new mixed media technique, I produced a collage that might have worked if I cut it into two or even four pieces.

The problem was the open space in the middle where nothing was going on. I let the piece sit for a couple of days and then played around with a few solutions. The end result was not dramatically different from the original, but the placement of two plants that drew one’s eye up across the blue patch plus an additional dash of color in the upper right hand quadrant provided additional movement. Now, one’s eye travels around the piece rather than settling into a void, and the consensus is that the image works. It was accepted into a juried show!

Garden of Delights

Reflecting Our Times in Collage

My art is largely imaginative or observational. But during this unusual year, with the pandemic, the wildfires, the political unrest, and the divisive election, it was hard not to be influenced by what was going on. and want to create a visual statement.

In the summer, I made a small collage that captured the wild fires that were raging in the West. As a base image, I found a picture from a 1970 issue of LIFE magazine on the environment. (Fires are not new!) Although my initial intention was not to make any commentary on the pandemic in this collage, my image of the door with the shattered glass and the frightened face peering through it suggested to one viewer the rage we were feeling at being so shut in. So, I will leave viewers to interpret this collage as they wish. That is the beauty of art.

As the coronavirus pandemic persisted throughout the fall, I collected text and images about what was happening. I have not previously used text in many of my collages, but here it felt crucial as the news played such an important part in our understanding of events and of the science behind the virus. In particular, there were phrases we heard over an over again that serve as emblems of this challenging time. My favorite image on this piece and the one that stands out and draws us in is the large blue-gloved hand. with its splayed fingers.

Finally, as 2020 drew to a close, my mind swimming with all that had happened, I wanted to capture the essence of that year in one image. Thus, I created “2020 What Was and What Will Be,” with the knowledge that although the actual year was behind us, the events that occurred were not over and their ramifications would be with us for awhile, perhaps forever. I also wanted to acknowledge a few key figures, including two giants we lost this year—John Lewis and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Finally, I also wanted to take a more upbeat view of things. To that end, I created a collage called “Cozy at Home” that I used as my holiday greeting to friends and family. Having spent more hours at home this past year than ever before, I came to appreciate that space (and sometimes lack of it!) in a new way.

Collages for Voters

Wanting to do something of meaning in relation to the upcoming election, I participated in a short, online session given by Alexandra Sheldon to learn how to make mini-collages for a project called “Postcards to Voters.” The idea was to make small, original pieces of art to send to prospective voters to encourage them to vote by mail. The organization provides the specific message to include as well as the addresses from states where these efforts were needed. The artist does not identify herself beyond a first name.

Fortunately, I had some leftover post-cards from a work project I did many moons ago and used these as my base (after applying additional postage!) Of course, I love making collages, but the goal here was to make these postcards as artistic as I could without agonizing over them. I really enjoyed making them and experimented with a variety of imagery. For example, for one collage, I used a part of an  old Chinese brush painting I had made more than 40 years ago. Some of my designs were more abstract or whimsical than others.

I hope that people appreciated them and that some felt that much more inclined to vote with this additional prod. And I felt like I was doing something to help promote democracy.

Cambridge Art Association, Member Spotlight on Me

The Cambridge Art Association regularly spotlights a member artist. I am thrilled to be their choice for July 4th! In the past seven months, my collages have been selected for three different juried exhibits at the two Cambridge Art Association galleries.  Currently, my collage, "Fading Light, Safe Harbor," which is part of my Japan Series is on show at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery, and "The Rock Garden" is displayed at their non-juried exhibit, "Still Life: Captured Moments" at their University Place Gallery. Click here for the link to the member spotlight piece about me.

My Second Juried Show at Cambridge Art Association-Lost and Found

I am pleased to report fhat I was accepted into my second juried show of the year at Cambridge Art Association's "Lost and Found" exhibit at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery during April 2018. My collage, "Finding One's Style," is another piece from my Japan series. This one shows women and girls showing off their unique fashion sense.

Lexington Art Walk, November 2017

I have three collages this year in the Lexington Art Walk--all are at the Brookline Bank and are up at least through the end of the month. The reception is November 16, from 6:30-8:30pm. The collages are "Three Lonely Leaves," "Garden Bounty," and "Welcoming Day's End." You will need to look in the windows of some of the offices to find two of them!

Solo Show at Healthworks in Porter Square, Cambridge, MA

From mid-September to mid-October, my gym, Healthworks, will be displaying my collages and watercolor paintings. The exhibit is on two walls of the stairwell. The first wall I have titled "Skyscapes," and it will show seven watercolors that emphasize interesting skies and cloud formations.

Awash with Light (watercolor)

The second wall I call "Cityscapes." It features predominately paper collages depicting different cities and city views and two watercolors. The exhibit is only open to Healthworks members unless I accompany you, so contact me if you wish to see the exhibit.

My On-Line Art Show at the Fictional Cafe

I am excited to be this month's featured artist at The Fictional Cafe, an on-line site for writers and artists. My show features 15 of my collages, watercolor paintings, and photographs. You can enjoy my exhibit from the comfort of your home at http://www.fictionalcafe.com/belle-brett-multiple-media-art-installment/

Lexington Art Walk 2016

This year I have one watercolor painting in the Lexington Art Walk (https://artslexington.wordpress.com/events/current-events/artwalk-2016/). Paintings are in the windows of local businesses and shops and are up through November 28.

"After the Rain" (10"x7")

November in the CVS Window

This watercolor is part of my Central Park series. It is probably the most abstract of my park paintings although a viewer can still see that this is a painting about autumn. My goal was to use a "glazing" technique, in which I layer colors after each previous color has dried. The transparency of watercolor paint highlights all the layers.

"View over the Park (Fall)"

NoCa Show at the O'Neill Library in Cambridge

Members of NoCA have an exhibit up in the foyer of the O'Neill Library in North Cambridge, as a way of promoting their work and their upcoming winter show. I have two pieces (below), a collage and a watercolor both based on the same photo of Central Park in fall.

Watercolor: "I Recall (Central Park in Fall)"

Note that I used similar elements in each--the buildings in the background, the stone bridge (although with a different placement), the water, the red tree in the foreground. In the collage, I populated the park with two people enjoying the view from their Adirondack chairs, adding a more playful feel.

Collage: "Autumn Serenade"