My birthday greetings to Fred Free.
Archive for the ‘Artists/Collage’ Category
30-day countdown
Thursday, October 3rd, 2013The “headquarters” has been getting a facelift in preparation for the Annual Open Studios ARTTOUR. We worked out the color scheme on the Model T garage before shifting to the bungalow. With all the recent improvements on our downtown block, you might say that an exterior makeover was a bit overdue. If you happen to be in the area during the first weekend of November, please plan to stop by.
I am pleased the high-ladder work is now behind me.
Model T Garage ~ BEFORE
Why is this man not inside making art?
Model T Garage ~ AFTER
Stucco needs to be patched and sealed before applying acrylic finish.
The rest of the wood gets oil-based paint.
Taking a break from restoration of box gutters. I had a good spot to watch the “Constitution 5K Run for the Arts” as competitors raced by.
Theme and Variation in Collage, part 3
Friday, September 27th, 2013“To me I think artists in general make a statement — and for the rest of their lives — every album, every book — are variations on a theme.”
— Mark Mothersbaugh
Here are two examples of my ongoing participation in groups that collaborate through thematic emphasis. Gentle Zephyr is a response to the theme of “music” at the Collage facebook page, but I also made obvious reference to the previous album, “atomic bombs.” Tir de Duc is my second submission to the Target Practice project initiated by L T Holmes. The exciting collaboration that makes use of vintage paper targets has taken on a new significance in recent weeks. Collage artists could spend all their available time interacting with each other through the many active collaborative formats. It is important to find the proper balance between solitary investigation and the dynamic cross-fertilization taking place within contemporary collage.
Gentle Zephyr
collage miniature by J A Dixon
6.625 x 9.25 inches
• S O L D
Tir de Duc
collage miniature by J A Dixon
vintage target from L T Holmes
8 x 10 inches
Purchase this artwork!
A Tempting Inclination
Friday, September 20th, 2013My submission has been added to the Scopophilia Website, as the exhibition expands its online presence. It is interesting to observe how the transatlantic mail system added a bit of visual distress to my postcard. Why are collage artists fascinated by such things?
Thanks again to British artist Theo Miller for his ongoing management of the international Scopophilia Project. Still hoping to learn if the volume of submissions will culminate in a physical exhibition.
A F T E R
B E F O R E
A Tempting Inclination
collage on post card, 6 x 4 inches
by J A Dixon for Scopophilia exhibition
l’alato
Sunday, September 15th, 2013
l’alato
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5.5 x 6.75 inches
private collection
Haus of Cards ~ Series Omega
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013“You can judge your age by the amount of pain you feel when you come in contact with a new idea.”
— John Nuveen
A maximalist to the core, it does not take much of a stimulus for me to create a miniature dense with ingredients. Happily, the flow of birthdays, anniversaries and thanks-worthy gestures continues unabated.
Congenial Subversion
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of K O’Brien
Honeydone
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of J Davis
Elboniana
collage miniature by J A Dixon
the Willoughby Papers
Soviet Madness
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of J Thornton
Large Game
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of R Jones
Haus of Cards ~ Series Alpha
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013“If everybody was treated like they matter — everyday; birthdays wouldn’t be so special.”
— Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Over the years, many hundreds of hand-crafted cards have left my work surface, bound for celebrating recipients. Even when I return to the simple expression of a person’s name, strong elements of collage will inevitably enter into the equation.
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of A Anderson
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of R D Dixon
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of C L Hellyer
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of D L Dixon
collage miniature by J A Dixon
collection of E Dixon
Cosmorama with Rhino
Tuesday, August 27th, 2013“By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter.”
— Confucius
Like reading a past entry in a journal, it is often interesting to scrutinize an older artwork. Awareness of what one does the same and what one has refined to do differently can be quite informative. Sometimes, after doing this, I am slightly disappointed to acknowledge a more skillful handling of a basic technique. Preferably, this activity brings a certain kind of satisfaction that comes with perceived attainment. Continuous improvement must be built on both emotions.
Cosmorama with Rhino
mixed media and collage
J A Dixon, 2006
collection of V K Birney
Maximalism and Minimalism in Collage, part 5
Tuesday, August 20th, 2013“I have devoted myself to the technique of cut-paper collage.”
— Hope Kroll
Mysterious and spooky? Could it be possible that I am examining an art collection in the Addams mansion? No. The essence is far too rarefied for that. Do I instead find myself at a museum of lost Victorian curiosities? No. The effect is much too audacious for that. Perhaps you already have guessed my desirable plight. Yes, dear reader, I am slowly steeping in the sublime virtuosity of a Hope Kroll collage.
Known to many as the “paper surgeon,” the artwork of Hope Kroll would be astonishing enough for her extraordinarily meticulous “scissorship,” but she has clearly decided to put her demanding technique into service for eloquent visual statements that intrigue both the mind and eye. As Cecil Touchon points out, this would be outstanding enough, but she does not stop there. In most of her collage assemblies, she also introduces a signature three-dimensionality to heighten the surreal impression. A maximalist at heart, the prolific artist would certainly agree with Milton Glaser that “Less in not necessarily more.” Somehow she manages, time after time, to achieve unified outcomes from highly complex compositions, while at the same time evoking a powerful atmosphere that first entices, then engrosses, and finally beguiles the observer. I occasionally find her work a bit unsettling, but never unsavory, and always aesthetically exquisite. Like a fine bouillabaisse, her creations delight multiple senses.
Sample a few of her delicious recipes below and “hope,” as I do, that she continues to make many more.
Reconfiguration
Hope Kroll, 2003
Grooming
Hope Kroll, 2006
The Way Children Learn
Hope Kroll, 2010
Science And Faith
Hope Kroll, 2008
Thought Process
Hope Kroll, 2009
Ghost in the Machine
Hope Kroll, 2012
Wednesday, August 14th, 2013
Untitled (ingénue experiment)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
11 x 7 inches, not for sale
Theme and Variation in Collage, part 2
Saturday, August 10th, 2013“But now I had these targets, and something grand in me wanted to make the two divergent threads — one of my artwork, one of my father — intertwine.”
— Laura Tringali Holmes
An increasingly engaging form of collaboration in collage is the coming together of a diverse group to explore the shared concept. In my last post we looked at an example in which the participants artistically exploited an image or thematic suggestion. Today we feature a remarkable project launched by L T Holmes that makes use of nearly identical vintage paper targets she has magnanimously provided to those taking part. Anyone reading this is urged to investigate her recent blog entry that offers an affecting backstory for the “Target Practice” initiative.
As this outstanding series takes shape, I cannot help but think of the Merz painting, “Hitler Gang,” and how KS (as usual) was just a bit ahead of us. If he thought a target was a cool collage ingredient nearly 70 years ago, I am, for one, quite content to continue digging the ground he broke. At least we are not fearing for our personal safety, thank heaven.
Friday, 1963
collage miniature by J A Dixon
vintage target from L T Holmes
6 x 7 inches
Purchase this artwork!