WASPS IN THE HOUSE

As a collagist. I have saved many elements from nature including wasp nests.  Wasps are indeed our first papermakers.  The created forms (inside networks and outer wrappings) and the patterns in the paper.  have always intrigued me.  I have been combining my own handmade paper,  made from the kozo plant grown in Thailand, with fragments of wasp paper.  These papers will eventually be used in an installation to be created this summer at the Durango Arts Center.  Stay tuned for images of the completed vision.

PACIFIC VISIT

It is always nice to return to the coast of Southern California and our old stomping grounds from La Jolla to Encinitas.  Walks on Del Mar beach refresh and bring back great memories of our life there through the years.  The coral trees were in bloom too.

WINTER PRESSING 2012-2013

Each year I place paper on the earth where it lies through the winter, covered with snow.  The snow becomes the press and the earth the plate.  In the spring, harvesting shows the imprint on the paper of the winter and documents the snow levels of that season.  Then I create a different book, sculpture, or wall work that celebrates yet another year and records the passage of time and that winters marking.

MASKS: CREATING IDENTITY

Last month at my local Arts Center we had a fabulous Mask exhibit...masks from many cultures such as New Guinea, Africa, Indonesia, etc..  Here are a few shots of the installation.  During the last weeks of the show, children from surrounding schools added their inspirations in the form of masks and drawings.

ART ALONG THE TRAIL BOOKS

I recently published 2 books that relate to my job as artist-in-residence at Edgemont Highlands, adjacent to Durango, Colorado.  One is a bird identification book of birds that have been sighted in the area of the development.  The other describes the environmental art sites that I have created and maintained along the wild trail surrounding the development.  Included are notations on history and care of the sites.  These books can be ordered through Kohlers in Durango.

FURNITURE AS ART AUCTION

My entry for this years fundraiser for the public radio station KDUR in Durango Colorado is a crazy chair made from handmade paper wrapped branches and painted doll hands...one of those sculptures that emulates a functional object but leans too much toward an art object to be practical.

ARABESQUE SERIES

A new series of collage using repurposed cut-up drawings and other elements.  Thirteen of this series was sent to the 15th International Collage Exhibition and Exchange in New Zealand.  An on-line exhibit will be posted on the virtual tart site in late March.

COLLAGE 1990-2000

in process

front cover

title page

collage example

inside back cover

outside back cover

I have just completed a large book of a selection of my collage (17) that were orginally mounted on Stonehenge paper 30"-22".  The book  measures 19" square.  Glassine is sewn into the binding, covering each collage.  The decoration on the covers is antique embossed leather and cut-up and recycled collage.

THE UNLIVED LIFE...

Recently completed:  A recycling of an antique Gilbert Chemistry Set complete with an artists' book entitled The Unlived Life of Little Mary Ellen.  The story is told about my never receiving a chemistry set in my younger years because only boys got chemistry sets not girls.  The elements are glued in place, a sample sheet of chemicals is included with the book which includes text about the history of the Gilbert sets and my story.

FEBRUARY WORK

Spread of finished collage

 Papyrus series

 Wave series

 Nature's Architecture

Wasp, Feather, Paper