Letters Home

This is the first of the two collages I was commissioned to do for Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Initially I envisioned imagery highlighting the fabulous old architecture on the campus, but when I discovered the other photos in the university's archives, I changed direction. This letter is one of many written by a student in the early 1900's. She was not only prolific in her letter-writing, she was very wordy. Each letter was around 12 to 15 pages long. So you can imagine the details available to a reader today about life in and around school at the turn of the century!

This is the freshman class of 1900.

Valedictorian

Here's the final image for Hamline University. I was so charmed by the vintage photos of the graduating classes that I decided to focus more on the grads rather than the architecture of the campus. I'm not sure the valedictorian took off on a gull (or a loon, our state bird), but you never know. I'm quite sure the graduating students spread their wings and took flight, though.

The Writer, final version

My annual open studio event was this weekend, ("Art-a-Whirl") I got so busy I forgot to post it on this blog. How professional is THAT, I ask you. Anyway, I was busy finishing up this collage and it was a good thing, too, because it sold during the event - to a writer! Oh, Happy Days!

Illustration Friday - "Wilderness"

Space - the ultimate wilderness!

Devastating Charm

detail
SOLD

I am so totally charmed by the word charm. As a noun, it means (1)the power to attract or delight people. Now isn't that a really useful and important trait? Who cares if your IQ is less than your waistline, or you are homely or unemployed ...none of that matters if you are charming. (not that any of that matters anyway). I love charming people, they make me feel as if I am charming, too and they make the world a more interesting place.

Charm also means (2) an object that brings good luck or wards off evil. We could use more of this in our world of uncertainty and negativity.

And (3), charm is a phrase that is believed to have magical powers. I'm all for that.

So this week, let's all be a little more charming, please.

Top of the World

SOLD

When you're a kid, you're on top of the world. Unless of course you have to make your bed, do your homework and take out the garbage. Then you just want to ride off into the sunset on your well-trained Red-breasted Nuthatch as it calls out in a high nasal chirp that recalls the tooting of a tin horn (according to my dog-eared Field Guild to North American Birds), "YANK - YANK - YANK".

Exactly my sentiments when I was reading the morning newspaper about the sad plight of the economy... I got so mad I just wanted to scream "YANK YANK YANK!"

Which reminds me, this lovely study of Nature in all its glory is available for purchase ($25.00) in my online store GRAPHITEGIRL. Please purchase it so I can stop disturbing the neighbors with my bird calls.

YANK, YANK, YANK!

Carry Your Heart-small version

Detail
SOLD

Oh my gosh only twenty-five days until Cupid arrives....are you ready? My thoughts are turning to tales of Love, so here's a little reminder. If you are looking for something to charm your sweetheart, this tiny collage will do the trick. It was inspired by an e e cummings poem that is so moving that I included it in the 11/10/08 posting of this blog. If you recite this lovely poem while handing your love this work of art, I'm quite sure the skies will open and hearts will rain down all around you and who knows what else will happen. To purchase this little gem for a mere $25, visit my shop: GRAPHITEGIRL.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Pretend

Detail

SOLD

It's been a while since I submitted something to the Illustration Friday website, but I've been working on several assignments. Here's a collage that fits this week's theme just perfectly. Who is a better master at pretending than a little boy? Perhaps a little girl? The secret lives we create as kids are the scrap files of the future artist.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Detach

SOLD

The Roseate Spoonbill is an endangered species, and like the trees in the distance, it is possible that this beautiful bird will become....detached from this earth.

ILLLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Baby

Original photo (detail)

Isn't she sweet? Sometimes when I am rummaging through the bins at a thrift store, it makes me sad to think family photos end up this way. And then when I took this vintage photo of the little girl home and looked at it closely in my computer program, I was shocked to see things that weren't apparent at first glance. She had a very poor complexion, bumps on her face. My imagination fired up and I thought, perhaps she was malnourished, as if her home life had not been the best, or she had been ill. She seemed to look forlorn. Oh, my heart went out to her, and I went to work with Photoshop. I smoothed out her complexion and put a blush on her, the whole time thinking you poor little dearie, after 100 years, you finally get the healthy glow you deserve! In the end, I transformed her into a happy healthy little princess, feeling that her spirit would appreciate this. I became very fond of her and wished I had known her in real life.

Sometimes we artists get a little WEIRD in the art-making process....

"Princess"
10" X 10" Mixed Media on Canvas
$175 plus $10 S/H = $185
SOLD

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Choose

"Devastating Charm"
10" X 10" Mixed Media on Canvas
SOLD

Although this collage was on my blog
previously, I just can't help but list it again for
"Illustration Friday's" weekly topic. It fits the
topic so perfectly! Choice is every where! These
charming lassies can have their choice of suitors,
who are jumping all over themselves for the
opportunity to pour them a cup of tea. And
these energetic fellas must choose between
two lovely ladies whose magnetic personalities
prove hard to resist.

Illustration Friday is a wonderful website. It was started by
Penelope Dullaghan, a talented (and extremely charming,
see above) illustrator, aided by Brianna Privett, the genius
who masters the technical side. Every week
a different subject is posted, and illustrators worldwide
can submit their vision. It's a great source of inspiration.
Check it out!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Tales & Legends

"He Rocked the World"
10" X 10" Mixed Media on Canvas
SOLD

He was a legend in his own time. Those little ones rule,
don't they?

Rocket Boy

Detail



Detail

12" X 9" Mixed Media on Canvas
$195 plus $10 S/H = $205
SOLD

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It's young Buck Rogers, coming

straight to your living room from a galaxy beyond.

This original collage is composed of vintage photos that
have been scanned to archival paper, additional
decorative papers, and acrylic paint on canvas.
It is unframed with painted sides.

IF- Flying

Detail

Detail
SOLD

When I saw that the theme for Illustration Friday was "flying", this collage immediately came to mind. I created this last year, but it remains one of my favorites, and in fact, I incorporated the flying dog into my logo. Although I thought I had nothing swirling around in my brain as I assembled this piece, when I look at it now, it seems to incorporate a state of mind I would love to embrace perpetually: the imagination and spontaneity of youth, with the companionship of my loyal and protective friends hovering near me!

She Loved to Travel

10" X 10" Mixed Media on Canvas
$175 plus $10 S/H = $185
SOLD

If only she could fly first class! But wait, first
they had to invent the airplane!

This original collage is composed of a vintage photo
that has been digitally altered, decorative
papers and acrylic paint on a canvas panel.
It is unframed with painted sides.

Yesterday's Flower #1

So sad. So true.

SOLD

ILLLUSTRATION FRIDAY - Forgotten

Yesterday's Flower #2

We all fade with time. Except if you live in Hollywood.

SOLD

Air Show

There's always one in every class.

SOLD

That Hotel of Her Youthful Debaucheries

Ah, yes, we all have fond memories of that special place
and that special time....

SOLD