"Folding and Unfolding"

($40.00.....6" x 6"....300 lb HP mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel)

"Everyday life is like the folding and unfolding of a flower." We have a hibiscus next to our front door. This quote was inspired by watching this flower unfold in the morning and then close again at night. Isn't that the way our lives play out?

If you are like me and tend to be methodical in your approach, it will be to your advantage to choose how to divide your space based on a technique that allows for the most choices. Cropping still remains a powerful choice since the tendency will be to line things up in a contrived fashion. The division of space in this piece is interesting because each block is a different size with interesting edges.

Originally, I worked on a half sheet of 300 lb HP. I consciously staggered the text pages and even laid some of them down at a slant to offset the straight horizontal and vertical look. The thing to remember is to have just a few pieces adhered at a slant. Otherwise, it can end up looking contrived. Other shapes can be altered by adding more text and image as the last layer. This step absolutely insures better integration and harmony. The color contrast in this piece is a more subtle split complementary contrast by "graying down" the yellow with a bit of purple. This allows the blue to take the leading role. 

There are many ways to handle collage. One of the best ways to experiment is to create your artwork like you normally would and then cut up those pieces into interesting fragments that can be put back together again. By doing this, you will have a brand new look with space divisions that look very spontaneous. And there you have it...just a few more things to think about. 

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.