Collage: alchemy and transformation

CONTERLNEL:KRJELIJKR

Elaine de Kooning said it so well, “Collage is a marriage of accident and intention.” Collage is one of the most soul-satisfying studio practices I do at any time, any place and with any materials on hand. It functions like a journal posting in that I don’t often share it with others. It reflects my state-of-mind on a given day in that it can be dark, whimsical/fun, or meditative. It can be geometric, organic or a combination of both. It can be bright and colorful or monochromatic. While I never have an idea of where I’m going or what a collage will look like when finished, it is precisely that aspect that provides the necessary component of intrigue to keep me engaged. Sometimes, collage has sparked a new direction in my work so I try to let it have a life of its own. I love looking at other artists’ collages and assume that those of us who share this love of medium do it for similar reasons. Some collages are politically and narratively driven, some are playful and personal, and some have more formal intentions. Below is a group of some of my favorite collage artists.

Cecil Touchon

Cecil Touchan, Untitled, www.searspeyton.com

Dennis Parlante Stability

Dennis Parlante, Stability, www.dennisparlante.com

Da-Dandy. 1919.

Hannah Hoch, Untitled, www.artsy.net

Radicle-14-web

Tracey Adams, Radicle 14, www.montereyart.org

Kim-Frohsin-Coke-Popcorn-Circus-Diamond

Kim Frohsin, Coke, Popcorn, Circus, Diamond, www.bryantstreet.com

l_amelia

Marybeth Rothman, Amelia, www.marybethrothman.com

mattgonzaleswhite1

Matt Gonzalez, White 1, www.sfcollagecollective.wordpress.com

Bird-On-A-Wire-med-res-526x640

Michael Cutlip, Bird-on-a-Wire, www.michaelcutlip.com

Michaelpaukercollage

Michael Pauker, www.michaelpaukerblogspot.com

KirstenStolle_Genetic_Erosion

Kirsten Stolle, Genetic Erosion, www.kirstenstolle.com

Donna-Sharrett-magnificent

Donna Sharrett, Magnificent, www.pavelzoubok.com

Vicente_HAWAII-1968-47x45-5098

Esteban Vicente, Hawaii, www.hyperallergic.com

mt-frontera-1

Maritta Tapanainen, Frontera, www.pavelzoubok.com