When I begin a new collage, or a work in any other medium, I often think of it as part of a series or group. I like to make connections or relationships among several pieces, anywhere from two to six.
This set of two has references to some work in the past, many, many years ago. It’s a “remember when” moment.
I began each monotype/collage by printing a monotype from a deeply etched piece of sintra (plastic). I have used these “plates” before in other mixed media collages.
#1445 Together/Apart
#1446 No Secrets Here
I added acrylic letters, numbers and circles.
#1445 Together/Apart
#1446 No Secrets Here
Now, for the added puzzle pieces, the collage part. First, I made a free hand drawing of several large puzzles. Then, I traced it to be able to lay it on a previously printed monotype of different shapes and colors (to be cut out.)
Puzzle Tracing 1
Puzzle tracing 2
#1445 Together/Apart
Talk about turning my head inside out! I cut out the puzzle shapes and positioned them on the monotype so that it was obvious, hopefully, that there was an initial connection (shared edges). Hence, the title “Together/Apart.” Do you think the negative spaces (gaps) remember the connection after being separated?
#1445 Together/Apart
The same sequence occurs with the monotype/collage “No Secrets Here.”
#1446 No Secrets Here
#1446 No Secrets Here
#1446 No Secrets Here
Now for the Back to the Future part. 1970’s! I made soft sculpture consisting of painted acrylic canvas, plastic and satin, which I sewed and stuffed with polyester.
Boy, did my sewing machine get a workout! The puzzle shapes commanded a lot of wall space.
#86 Modular Rhythm 2, soft sculpture (acrylic on canvas, plastic, satin), 1976
#86 Detail
#87 One Corner-Two Walls, soft sculpture (acrylic on canvas, plastic, satin), 8x13ft, 1976
At about the same time I made drawings with cloud shapes that were puzzle-like.
#92 Summer 76-2, graphite, chalk, 22×28, 1976
#94 Summer 76-4, graphite, chalk, 22×28, 1976
Fast forward to 2025 mixed media collages. New iterations, different media. More to come. Stay tuned.
“So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned.” Peter Pan