Mixed-Media Collage An Exploration of Contemporary Artists, Methods, and Materials

130 Pages·2007·34.49 MB·English

by  Holly Harrison

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Mixed-media collage artists are embracing,unearthing,and reconstructing the flotsam and
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jetsam of modern life,integrating discards with traditional art materials and novel techniques AAnn EExxpplloorraattiioonn
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to create compelling,new works.Original,idiosyncratic,delightful,this catch-as-catch-can
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approach has inspiring and eye-catching results—but also presents some unique technical
g ooff CCoonntteemmppoorraarryy
challenges.Mixed-Media Collage takes you into the studios of five talented mixed-media artists:
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Laurinda Bedingfield,Barbara De Pirro,Paula Grasdal,Sharon McCartney,and Teesha Moore.
AArrttiissttss,, MMeetthhooddss,,
These artists reveal their own step-by-step processes,offer tips on working with unusual materials,
and share their insights into creativity and inspiration.
aanndd MMaatteerriiaallss
Also includes:
•A deluxe gallery with more than 40 never before published collages by leading mixed-media artists
•Techniques for creating faux encaustic using acrylic mediums,assembling shrines and wall
panels out of sew-through interfacing,generating collage materials using simple printmaking
techniques,working with photographs in two and three dimensions,fusing encaustic medium
with unconventional materials,and more
•Plus:Authors Jennifer Crusie and Alisa Kwitney share their thoughts on using collages to
brainstorm ideas and access creativity.
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AHollsloy AHvarariilsaobnlise a f wrroitemr sQpeuciaalrizrinyg Bino aortk asn:d design.She currently lives outside ofBoston with
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her family,where she hides her secret collection ofElvis-themed art. L
Collage for the Soul The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery Y
ISBN:1-56496-962-2 ISBN:1-59253-177-6 H
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ISBN-13:978-1-59253-316-9
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$24.99 US
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$29.99 CAN
www.quarrybooks.com
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o ag
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M I X E D - M E D I A
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An Exploration
of Contemporary Artists,
Methods, and Materials
H O L LY H A R R I S O N
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© 2007 by Quarry Books
All rights reserved.No part ofthis book may be reproduced in any form without written permission ofthe copyright owners.
All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent ofthe artists concerned,and no responsibility
is accepted by the producer,publisher,or printer for any infringement ofcopyright or otherwise,arising from the contents ofthis
publication.Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied.We apologize for any
inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting ofthe book.
First published in the United States ofAmerica by
Quarry Books,a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly,Massachusetts 01915-6101
Telephone:[phone]
Fax:[phone]
www.quarrybooks.com
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Harrison,Holly.
Mixed-media collage :an exploration ofcontemporary artists,methods,and materials /
Holly Harrison.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-59253-316-7 (pbk.)
1. Collage.2. Artists—United States. I.Title.
TT910.H358 2007
702.81’2—dc22 2007004531
CIP
ISBN-13:978-1-59253-316-9
ISBN-10:1-59253-316-7
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Design:Dawn DeVries Sokol
Printed in Singapore
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To my mother, Christa Harrison,
who can make something out of nothing
better than anyone I know
and to my daughter, Mira,
whose mixed-media explorations
inspire me every day.
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Contents
Introduction........................................................................................8
Collage Basics ..................................................................................10
Section I
Profiles:An In-Depth Look at the Work of Five Contemporary
Mixed-Media Artists ......................................................12
Chapter 1: Engineering Art with Laurinda Bedingfield..........14
Chapter 2:Creating Faux Encaustics
with Barbara De Pirro ............................................26
Chapter 3:Exploring the Image–Word Connection
with Paula Grasdal ..................................................38
Chapter 4: Celebrating the Natural World
with Sharon McCartney..........................................50
Chapter 5:At Play with Teesha Moore ....................................62
Top to bottom: Laurinda Bedingfield,
page 14; Paula Grasdal,page 38; Sharon
McCartney,page 50; Teesha Moore,
page 62
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Top to bottom: Tracy Spadafora,page
110; Keith Maddy,page 104; Dorit
Elisha,page 84; Anne Lewis,page 100
Section II
Gallery: A Sweeping Look at Work by Twenty Contemporary
Mixed-Media Artists ......................................................74
Feature:Collage as a Writing Tool
Brainstorming with Scissors and Glue
by Jennifer Crusie..........................................................78
Why I Never Graduated Collage
by Alisa Kwitney............................................................81
Feature:Artists and the Internet
How the Internet is changing the lives
of contemporary artists ..............................................120
Appendixes:
Photo-Transfer Techniques ..........................................................122
Encaustic Collage..........................................................................123
Product Resource Guide ................................................................124
Artist Directory ..............................................................................126
About the Author............................................................................127
Acknowledgments ..........................................................................128
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Introduction
When I first started thinking about writing another the writing process.The profiles include several pages
book on collage,I knew there would be some ofartwork with accompanying texts that explore how
changes.For starters,my Collage for the Soulcollabo- the artists were inspired to create them.They also
rator,Paula Grasdal,had moved back to Canada, include a photo-driven technical section in which
making the easy,day-to-day collaboration of that each artist breaks down their approach into steps that
first volume an impossibility.I also didn’t want to detail their techniques and explain how they use the
repeat a thematic,more project-based approach materials.I was able to interview the artists,inviting
because I had already done it.But more than that,I them to share their thoughts on creativity,favorite
was interested in going deeper:showing more work materials,their personal artistic histories,and their
per artist and letting their style and techniques drive advice to people starting to explore mixed media.
the book’s content.I wanted to look more deeply at
the artistic process,delving into not only what The second part of the book is a gallery that features
inspires different people to create but how that ini- the work of twenty artists working in a wide range of
tial spark turns into fully realized artistic expression. styles with diverse materials and approaches.Again,
And I wanted to find a way to comprehensively share the text visits the idea of how inspiration leads to
techniques without undermining the ineffable creation while at the same time providing a sense of
nature of what makes a creation art.I felt readers the process and a handy list of materials.The gallery
would be most interested in learning new forms and texts are meant to be a guide rather than a step by
adapting them to their own original content,style, step,and readers are encouraged to adapt the ideas
and favorite materials.Finally,I wanted to work with and techniques described and make them their own.
new artists,but I also couldn’t resist bringing in Most of all,both parts of the book are meant not
some familiar voices from previous books. only to explore inspiration and creativity but to
incite it,to encourage readers to browse the pages
What developed was a two-part approach.In the first in search of ideas,techniques,and images that will
part ofthe book,I present in-depth profiles offive invite them to set aside the book,roll up their
accomplished and inspiring artists.I sought out peo- sleeves,and start making art.
ple working in different media,some of whom I
already knew and others whom I got to know during —Holly Harrison
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