Latest paper collages

My latest collages.........click on the images to be taken directly to my online art store.

I love these Fiskars squeeze punchers...I must have about 20 of them.....every time we get unwanted mail I sit down with my kids and punch out amazing shapes from our unwanted mail and unsolicited catalogues.

Just Finished Another Recycled Paper Abstract Collage

  As you all know by now, I am obsessed over these Fiskars punchers. Nora (1.5) and I sat watching the 3rd season of America's Next Top Model as we punched out all these circles from magazines I had laying around the house.  You can find this and other collages at my online store on Etsy.com.

 I love turning garbage and turning it into "treasure".  I got infected with the green-earth bug ever since I met my midwife, Susan,  who was absolutely obsessed with reusing, and  recycling. It pains my heart to see things that are perfectly still functioning get thrown out. With my work, I wish to bring awareness to the beauty that still lives in items we never think twice about throwing away. 

Update on Recycled Paper Mosaic Collage

I am halfway done with my 3'x4' recycled paper mosaic style collage. My step-dad who is a mason has been giving me hints here and there on how to deal with some spatial-related technical issues. All paper used is 100% recycled paper from all over the house. Very exciting process. 

I have begun filling in the center red spiral on one side. The bottom will be a band of orange and a band of yellow. I will then add green leaves to the tree. 

 Detail of the woman's body and the tree roots. 

 This is my paper sorting system. My daughter (1-year-old) and I spend hours punching out squares and placing them in these drawers. Well, I punch and she collects. She's very good at it. 

Update on New Works and Ideas

          I am currently researching all forms of mosaics by looking through books I ordered from my local library (see above). Looking at others' work is the one thing that inspires me to create my own work.  Some might think that restricts one's uniqueness, yet I feel it actually allows me to grow as an artist. To see other people's visions and interpretations always makes me want to create my own interpretation.  Inspiration can come from various venues.  It can come from a conversation, or a situation, or something as simple a a feeling.  

        This is a sampling of the work I am doing now.  It's not a tile mosaic. I am using paper and gluing my collage using the mosaic style as my inspiration. The collage is on a 3'x4' canvas. It will be of a woman turning into a tree....an image that haunts me lately. 
          This is a detail of my collage mosaic. I am using 50% recycled paper (magazines and flyers) punched into 1/2" squares. 

An ARTIST MOM'S DILEMMA.....the time to create

         Filled with new art possibilities now with my new Fiskars puncher. Now if I can only get the time to create. 

         I know I am probably more creative daily than most moms I know, yet, if I had it my way, I would be pumping out work right and left; ten times more work than I make now.  I would be breathing creativity in and out. I have stopped painting as much once my oldest was born 4 years ago.  Once Luke (now 4) turned 3ish it became painfully obvious that painting was no longer possible for that period in time, he would want to explore into my wet tubes and crawl around my easel. Instead of putting off all creativity, I began using photography as a new form of creative expression, thousands of pictures of all the amazing moments became my new escape. Most people I share my issues with in this area offer the common solution of doing my work after the kids go to sleep. Sounds excellent in theory, yet in reality, most nights I have a hard time getting beyond the sleepiness I feel to even manage to check my e-mail. "Me" time has been reduced to blogging, reading the news on Democracynow.org and Al-Jazeera and catching a flick on Hulu. 

          Please do not misunderstand my words.  I do not see these current "accommodations" as negative in any way.  I have allowed myself to open up to all forms of creative expressions and going with whatever creative flows taps my shoulder. In the art world such short and uncommitted dips into various media can be interpreted as unprofessional or uncommitted to an real art career. Having been unconventional for most of my adult life I will forgo such messages and embark on this eclectic adventure full force. Slowly I have come to trust myself more and what matters most to me is the ability to be creative, period.  

         In writing this blog I aim to see for myself the ways in which all my ideas comes from life and daily inspirations I pick and choose on my journey; very much like a huge self perpetuating system. Therefore whatever form these works take, is unimportant.  What matters most is that the expression is allowed to grow and take off on it's own path.