March 18th, 2014
“All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
— Samuel Beckett
I cannot lay claim to having unraveled any of the perplexities of Worstward Ho or Waiting for Godot, but Beckett’s famous quotation about perseverance rings especially true for me. There are times when I look at a collage artwork just finished and, to be honest, I am unable to tell if it is a success or a failure. However, one thing is certain — I am always one step closer to knowing. Let us keep failing better.

Fresh Catch By John
collage artifact by J A Dixon
10.5 x 9 inches
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March 17th, 2014
“If you want to get better at something, you have to do the reps. Dreams work the same way. You don’t get to pick and choose a life of home-run moments. You get to swing the bat, a lot. Some of them are going to connect; some of them won’t. But each one takes you one step closer to awesome.”
— Jon Acuff
I have crossed the halfway point in my March Exercise. Yesterday, I went to the plate one more time and met the ongoing challenge of creating a harmonious balance of counterpoise in a collage. For me, it is one of the most important factors that determine whether or not a composition is merely an active “stew” of ingredients. As I added another miniature to my Bibelot Series, I completed the exercise of using journal experiments to concentrate on a particular set of design principles — the visual support for any ideas at play in the artwork. Perhaps I should have made this parameter more clear at the beginning of the month, and explained the history of the annual regimen. One comment maker on Facebook asked me if I have been creating daily college entries for nine years. Any earlier concern I had about the potential for misinterpretation proved valid. A blogsite should not cause confusion for those kind enough to pay a visit. On the other hand, more and more people ask questions before spending enough time to comprehend a fuller picture of things. Nevertheless, I am always willing to interact with my guests and answer any inquiries. I have a great passion for working in this medium, but this online destination is meant for the observer (and remember: I have a thick skin, too!).

In Pomp Arrayed
collage miniature by J A Dixon
4 x 5.75 inches
on consignment
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March 16th, 2014
journal experiment:
harmonious balance of counterpoise


Refine (Bibelot 632)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5 x 6 inches
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March 15th, 2014
journal experiment:
dynamics of color and space


Silk Road Dialogues
collage miniature by J A Dixon
6 x 8 inches
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March 14th, 2014
journal experiment:
shape, color contrast, symmetry


Proscenium
collage miniature by J A Dixon
7.5 x 9.5 inches
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March 13th, 2014
journal experiment:
activation of space


Ascend (Bibelot 136)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5 x 6 inches
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March 12th, 2014
journal experiment:
color, depth, density


Awaken (Bibelot 409)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5 x 6 inches
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March 11th, 2014
journal experiment:
human profile, minimal elements


Pulcinella’s Secret
collage miniature by J A Dixon
8 x 10 inches
• S O L D
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March 10th, 2014
journal experiment:
balance, negative space


A Pervading Intrusion
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5.75 x 8.25 inches
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March 9th, 2014
journal experiment:
composition, composition, composition


The Central Issue of Life
collage miniature by J A Dixon
5.25 x 7 inches
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March 8th, 2014
journal experiment:
shape, analogous hues


Nightshades
collage miniature by J A Dixon
6.75 x 7.25 inches
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