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.

The Daily Catch, Tokyo as Part of a "Visual Feast," Cambridge Art Association

I am thrilled to report that the fourth collage from my Japan Series has been selected to be a part of the Cambridge Art Association’s juried exhibit, “Visual Feast,” at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery through April, 2019. This exhibit is a delight to the eyes, bursting with color and juiciness. My collage/mixed media piece is a slight departure from my usual work. It is larger and makes use of other elements, such as a fish stamp. The piece depicts a sea to table theme. I wanted to honor some of the people involved in the process—from those who prepare the fish for market, to those who cook it, to those who serve it. You can see that in some of the dishes the fish is simply prepared and in others it is more elaborately prepared, not resembling its initial form.

Winter Wonderland: My Exhibit at Healthworks, Cambridge

From February 16 to March 15, 2019, I have a “two-fer” show up at Healthworks in Cambridge, MA. This is my third show there. On the first level, I share eight of my collages inspired by my novel, Gina in the Floating World (several of them shown in December at Cadbury Commons).and that I refer to as my Japan Series. These are not for sale as I will be exhibiting them in the summertime at the Great Bay Gallery in Somers Point, New Jersey).

On the second level are six snowscape watercolors, all of them for sale. Snow is fun to paint, with its purple and blue shadows. Two of these watercolors are of houses, two are the dunes in snow, one is a wooded area with light pouring through, and the last is a snow covered marsh. These are all for sale. If you aren’t a member of Healthworks and wish to see these, contact me, and I may be able to arrange a visit for you with me as your guide.

Collages Inspired by My Novel, Gina in the Floating World

During the month of December, 2018, a set of seven collages inspired by my recently published novel, Gina in the Floating World (She Writes Press), will be on display at Cadbury Commons in North Cambridge, MA as part of the NoCA winter gallery show. The novel, set in 1981 Japan, is about a naive, but ambitious Midwesterner who goes to Tokyo for a bank internship, takes an evening job as a bar hostess to support herself, and travels down a darker road. The collages capture some of the settings described in the story, and each is accompanied by an appropriate quote from the book. You can see more of my images by going to my Japan Series page on this website. They are not currently for sale, but if you are interested in eventually purchasing one, please contact me. The book is available at some local bookstores and on Amazon. You can find out more on my writing website.

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!

Teaching Collage to NoCa Members

In October 2016, I gave a short collage workshop as part of the October NoCa (North Cambridge Arts) meeting. The focus of the workshop was creating collages based on an image (a photo, a painting, or even a dream) that members could provide themselves. I showed examples from my own work, which is often inspired by photos (my own and others), offered a few pointers on putting together a collage, and provided a lot of materials: small canvas boards, scissors, glue sticks, old magazines, brochures, and decorative papers. Participants had just one hour. As is usual at NoCa workshops, they became engrossed in their work and produced some interesting products.

I show examples of my work. (Photo by John Heymann)

Two NoCa members select images to cut up for their collages.

NoCa members hard at work!