{ PAPERIE } : Reflection on the Black House Show //

June 11, 2017

The Opening Reception of my solo show { PAPERIE } happened one week ago in my adopted home town of Blacksburg, a small, rural, mountain town located in southwestern Virginia. I am a process person. Rarely can I take in information and quickly process it. I have to take the experience away and chew it on it. This experience was no different. I am truly humbled by the family and friends that came to view my new body of work. Work that took me over 6 months to create. A body of work that I feel is my most compelling to date. A body of work that will continue to evolve as I bring the book to the wall, continue to push my artistic boundaries and challenge what people think can be done with paper.

"PSYCHEDELIA" This is my second 16 Blocks installation and was inspired by the late Rex Ray.

"WANTING" is a 22 x 11" collage made with upcycled and reclaimed paper, acrylic paint, oil pastels and gel pens.

"BROKEN" is a 22 x 11" collage made with upcycled and reclaimed paper, acrylic paint, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MOUNTAIN SUNRISE I" is a 16 x 20" collage on wood panel made with handmade and handpainted papers, acrylic paint and ink sprays. This is an older work from 2014 that was inspired by the Appalachian Mountains that surround me. I have lived here for 10 years and am still awed by their beauty,

"WONDER" is an altered book spread featuring the lyrics of Loudon Wainwright III's 'Therapy'

"ROOTS" is an altered book that I decided to display for the first time at this show. It is made from reclaimed papers, acrylic paints, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MOUNTAIN SUNSRISE II" is a 16 x 20" collage on wood panel made from handmade and handpainted papers, acrylic paint and spray ink. This piece is part of a collection from 2014 and my most favorite from the collection.

"SUCKER PUNCH" is a 12 x 12" paper collage on wood board with acrylic paints, oil pastels and gel pens.

"MONSTER" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood board featuring my handpainted papers including rust prints and fern discharge on black Bristol board. The next 4 pieces are part of a series I plan on continuing to add to over the next two years. It is inspired by Larry Bell's 'Fractions.'

"MELTING AWAY" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood board.

"ALONE" is a 10 x 10" paper collage on wood

"INVISIBLE" is a 10x 10" paper collage on wood using one of several favorite color combinations red and purple!

"GUARDIANS" (SOLD) is a series of 12, 4 x 4 x 1" canvas blocks made using found paper collages, tissue paper, acrylic paints and gel pens. They were inspired by the work of Roxanne Coble, my favorite contemporary mixed media artist. The following images are from the collection.

Several of my pieces were unable to be hung due to mature content. After the show is over, I will be taking pictures of the pieces that were created as a series as well as continuing to add pieces.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING ON LATELY? WHO ARE YOUR SOURES OF INSPIRATION? I would love to hear all about them!

{ I RULE MY DESTINY } : A Summer 2005 Art Journal Revisited

May 29, 2017

I distinctly remember this summer. One of my last true hurrahs while in my 20s. Way too much drinking, smoking and dancing my ass off. I had a great summer with a man I am still in touch with online. Every weekend (and let's be honest...sometimes we bailed on work, too) we would travel to wherever the music was to take it all in. I lived right outside of Asheville, NC at the time, so music and art were easily accessible and we took advantage of it often. We traveled to San Fran to check out a 3 day WSP show, went to Charleston, SC to see Rusted Root and Atlanta, GA to check out Spoonfed Tribe. The music was endless and so were the nights!

In my first art journals, I would burn the edges of my paper prior to gluing them. I did not want the straight edge of cutting but I had not learned to appreciate the wabi sabi of torn edges.

I had not developed my own style yet and was looking in books to copy other artists. At the time, I lived in the middle of nowhere and the internet was not something people had in their homes yet. I do remember this hand drawn guy. I had said, "Gravy, Baby" to a friend of mine who thought I said, "Groovy, Doobie." We thought this was hilarious.

Even back then, I was drawn to weird and freaky images. I have embraced them more as I grow more confident with my style. I think getting older has helped me too. I make art that I like and am not so worried about what others think (or what will sell).

My love of stamps is obvious in my earlier work. The only stamps I use now are handmade and I never use letter stamps. I have grown more confident with my handlettering.

The one and only time I ever used feathers in an art journal spread...

Don't really use the ribbon or fibers techniques either...although I think children would love to use them in their art journals they make with me at camp this summer!

And finally, my life long love, Keller Williams! Have not seen him live in years. I grow more introverted the older that I get and going to large music events with lots of people is not as appealing as it was when I was younger. But the summer of 2005 was a good one.

Does the simplicity of this art journal inspire you? It's small, portable and easy to fill. I am taking a trip to CA this summer to visit family and I think it might be time to try this again...this time with my lovely 6 year old in tow...

{ ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS } //

May 19, 2017

I have been dreaming of making ART JOURNAL MEGA PACKS for a while now. After delivering my show to the Black House (pictures to be included in an upcoming blog post...I want to wait for my Opening Reception to happen on June 2nd fro 5-7 pm), I finally made a true commitment to get these monster packs made and listed on my Etsy shop by Monday, May 22nd. But I just could not wait. These mega packs are over 1.5 lbs and are brimming with items to begin your art journal or to add to your collection. Take your creativity to the next level!

Aren't they too cute? I am definitely in LOVE. Now...back to the studio to make MORE packs and inspired play in my art journal!

{ THE RED BOOK } : An Art Journal Revisited

May 11, 2017

This is my very first art journal. I know...isn't it hilarious? I had no idea what I was doing. I thought that red pleather cover and pages full of cheap, lightweight graph paper was the perfect book to begin my life in art journaling.

I remember going out and buying all these gorgeous scrapbook papers and cheap watercolor paints.

I was compelled to burn the edges of the paper. I do not know where I came up with that idea but I do remember not being happy about "torn edges." I spent hours with a lighter to the effect. I sure am glad I gave up on that technique.

I lived in WNC at the time and was incredibly inspired by the art, the people and the town. I began collecting everyday minutia to use in my journals. This is a technique I still embrace today. Shouldn't everybody embrace a parking citation?

At this time, I started scouring thrift and antique stores for old books I could tear apart. I remember a friend at the time once telling me, "So you buy books to tear apart to glue into new books?" It was probably one of the most honest things anyone has ever said about my art.

I was afraid of my own handwriting (which I lovingly embrace in my current art!) so I used a lot of rubbings and stamps (something I NEVER to today). In fact, I donated all of those supplies to the thrift store recently so they could be enjoyed and not just gathering dust in my already over-crowded studio.

I wrote a lot back then. A LOT. These days, my daily writing journals are kept separate from my art journals. As a single mother of a 6 year old, I do not have the time to write like I used to (although my daughter and I do share quiet time in the morning writing together). I was also BIG into song lyrics and I incorporated those into my journals. I have always had a love of sharpies!

I cannot believe how much my handwriting has changed since 2006. When I moved to Virginia, I did not know anyone so I would spend most of my time alone making art in the evenings and weekends. I started finding more and more books about art journaling at my local bookstore and would spend hours trying to emulate certain artist's styles. I know that had a huge impact on my current handwriting.

This journal was full of ticket stubs. I do not do live music much anymore. After I had my daughter, I became more of an introvert and more focused on my art career. I had to admit to myself that I had enough camping in my 20s to last me the rest of my life! Give me a quiet studio or an afternoon with my daughter over a loud music hall!

I see so much of my current style in these old books. I learned a lot over the years...such as binding my own art journals and making my own papers (a concept I will share with you at a later date). I learned that the binding and the weight of the paper are critical to making the book close properly. My collage process is more evolved and I work in books that are more portable. I mean, seriously, look at this monster!

I hope you have enjoyed taking a peek into one of my very first art journals. As an artist, I find it important to revisit older work. Sometimes you cringe, sometimes you find it endearing, sometimes you want to run and hide.

Would you like to see more of older work? I have loads more that I would love to share about my ever evolving art style!