Paper is fluttering in the studio like the elm seeds and cottonwood fluff in my garden. Spring is lush and vibrant in Santa Fe this year, and my studio is envious of the time I spend in my garden, soaking in the sun, fresh air and vivid colors. I have also been busy adding listings to my Etsy shop, now over two dozen items are available for sale. I have expanded my collection from the “gift-sized” items to include some originals as well. I have listed the entire Septet collection, and “Naughty Boy” - all created in the last months of 2018. Joining them is the Original Collage “Tempus Fugit”, my tribute to Edgar Allan Poe and “The Pit and the Pendulum.” I also have Giclée Prints of the Poe art, in two convenient sizes. Following this literary track, and noting that Bloomsday is approaching (June 16), I have listedon Etsy some Giclée prints of two pieces inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses. One is the portrait of Leopold Bloom, and the other is my “epic-sized” piece, “Bloomsday at Molly Malone’s." You can read more of the backstory on these by going to my Etsy shop, https://www.etsy.com/shop/DECOfineartcollage Have you been seeing Dragons recently? I know I have! My vision of a Dragon proudly displays his bejeweled chest, created by assembling tiny bits of bright color, snipped from magazines and catalogs. The Original is on display in a Santa Fe home, but the image is reproduced as Giclée prints, which are available from me directly or on my Etsy page. In other happy news, the International Exhibition of Collage Art , Fresh Cuts, opens in Congleton in Cheshire, England. http://electricpicturehouse.com/ I sent three Original Collages to them, including “Hear the Echoes”, the sort of landscape they don’t often see in northern England. I hope some of my friends in the UK get to see it. Cheshire is just east of Liverpool….and speaking of which… The Fest for Beatles Fans is coming up – the Chicago gathering is in August. I will be bring my Beatles Original Collages and Giclée prints of course; if you live in the Chicago area and have a hankering to see other art, please let me know. Thank you to all who visited my Etsy shop and gave me Love by clicking the Heart! and a big shout to all the fabulous folks who purchased birthday gifts and Mother’s Day presents. Please check out the new items and click on favorites! https://www.etsy.com/shop/DECOfineartcollage Love and Peace, Deco
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Many visitors to my website have asked me “I like your artwork! How do I buy it?” After some research, the answer became obvious: I could open a shop on Etsy.com, an online site for selling handmade items. So…I am pleased to announce the opening of my shop: DECOfineartcollage!! I have been listing items on my Etsy page for a few weeks now, mostly the gift-sized items, like greeting cards sets and journals and posters and small prints. I plan to keep adding to the site as I polish up the process, and eventually I will be posting the larger Original Collages. I am so excited to have this opportunity – it is especially helpful when I do not have scheduled local shows and fairs. Please check out the page, https://www.etsy.com/shop/DECOfineartcollage And please send me some Love by clicking on the heart symbol on the Etsy page! Meanwhile I have been busy with other art projects, like the two shows I mentioned in my previous blog entry. Today I sent of my artwork to England for Fresh Cuts , an International Exhibition of Collage Art, which opens in Cheshire on May 31st. I wish I could be there! I did do some traveling recently; a family wedding in Scottsdale, AZ provided the time for new explorations, including a side trip to Sedona, to appreciate the cool air and red rock formations. The weekend included gatherings with all my siblings from all over the country amid sips of champagne at the rooftop reception and poolside chats and a visit to the spectacular botanic gardens. We also visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West – a kind of trifecta for me, as I have visited Taliesin East in Spring Green, WI and the Home and Studio in Oak Park, IL. The compound of streamlined buildings is fascinating, and I liked the Cabaret Theater, but I can’t say I approve of the way he treated his interns! We are enjoying a beautiful Spring in Santa Fe, fragrant with blooming lilacs. My irises are emerging, reminding me to get outside and breathe in the clear fresh air – and tie up the wisteria branches! Love and Peace, Deco Lots of newness this Spring, including upcoming shows. My work is hopping the Pond! I have three original collages accepted in a show in England. Fresh Cuts, International Exhibition of Collage Arts, opens on May 31, and runs to June 8, At the Electric Picture House Gallery in Congleton, in Cheshire. I am absolutely thrilled of course! The three collages I will be sending are “Hear the Echoes", “Pare Down” and “What Dreams May Come”. Wish I could be there! Meanwhile, here in Santa Fe, I have a piece accepted in a show titled “Happy Little Clouds” a group exhibition at the City of Santa Fe Community Gallery. My entry is called “Summer Storm” and depicts a thunderstorm erupting over the Sangre de Christos mountains. The show runs all summer, June 7 to August 29, 2019. A few weeks ago, at the Railyard Artisans Market, I met author David Rupert who is publishing a new book all about the word and concept “Yes”. I mentioned that “Yes” is the theme of my largest original collage, “Bloomsday at Molly Malone’s” which was inspired by a reading of the closing pages of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Naturally, he had to see it, so I invited him and his lovely wife, Lisa, to have a private viewing of the collage in my home. They interviewed me and this is the link to the interview: https://vimeo.com/329706287 His book is coming out soon. And Santa Fe's Bloomsday is coming! Sunday, June 16th - details to follow! I attended the New York Metro Fest for Beatles Fans, held for the third year now at the Hyatt on the Hudson, in Jersey City. The hotel is right on the water, with views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. I flew to JFK by the JetBlue red-eye, and so was treated to a ride through Manhattan as the sun rose, followed by breakfast at the hotel; I enjoyed the constant movement on the river – ferries and helicopters, seabirds and commuters. The Fest itself was filled with nonstop music, played casually by fans filling the venue’s corridors, as well as by three “Wing-men”, the Zombies (!), Liverpool and the Weeklings on stage. I filled my usual roles of managing the Art Room and directing a play I co-wrote. I met up with my friend, fellow collage artist Marlene Weisman who lives and exhibits her work in Brooklyn, She is pictured here (superhero pose!)in one of her sartorial creations with that magnificent backdrop. Next Fest is in August, in Chicago. Looking forward to more Beatley hi-jinks! Love and Peace, Deco Six New Mexican poets, including the past and present poet laureates of Albuquerque, will be taking the stage on Sunday at a celebration of Poetry Out Loud. We will hear their original poems as well as work selected from an honored New Mexican poet. Poetry Out Loud is sponsored by The Poetry Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, and locally by New Mexico Arts, the state arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs. It is a competition for high school students who must recite poems flawlessly, and some of the local competitors will be participating in Sunday’s event. We will be at the Bookworks in Albuquerque at 3pm, Sunday February 24. More about this event can be found in the current issue of Alibi . I will be attending to show my support – my Original Collage “Hear the Echoes” is featured on the poster promoting the state finals. This poster has been popular, and I will be bringing the last copies to the poetry reading. I will also bring the original and some prints as well. This poster has been showing up in amazing places – in today’s paper, (the Santa Fe New Mexican) I was reading an article about some students visiting the Capitol to talk to the representatives – look at the photo that accompanied the article: the poster is on the wall of the office. How cool is that? The State Finals of Poetry Out Loud will be in Santa Fe, on Sunday March 10 in the St. Francis Auditorium. I will be attending that as well, with the art and prints. The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow My solo show Universe in Pieces continues for a few more weeks (closes March 2) so there is time to catch it. This show features over a dozen of my Original Collage works with the theme of Outer Space: Galaxies, nebulae, and planets. Meanwhile, I am preparing for the Fest for Beatles Fans. I set up the Art Room and curate the creations that the fans bring in for display. I also participate in performance art, stemming from the Beatles Poetry Jam that I host. Love and Peace, Deco The opening reception of my exhibit “Universe in Pieces” at the Fuller Lodge Art center was a delight. Friends drove up from Santa Fe and even Albuquerque (a 180-mile trip!) to celebrate with me. Many of the Original Collages were new even to fans who have seen my work in previous shows. The week leading up to the reception including a lot of preparation, but kicked off in a fun way: an interview on the Los Alamos community radio station KRSN 1420 AM/107.1 FM. The next day, I found out that my show had a great write up in the calendar of Santa Fe’s free weekly newspaper The Reporter (that’s like “The Reader” in Chicago). Then on Friday afternoon, I was included in a second interview – The Richard Eeds show on the Santa Fe radio Station KTRC 1260 AM/103.7 FM [a recording is available on their website] I drove from the interview to Los Alamos for the reception which started at 5 pm – I was glad I arrived early because visitors started to filter in while I was plating up star-shaped cookies. The town was celebrating a “Night of Culture” - musical and visual events were happening throughout the Historic District, drawing in new guests. I have been exhibiting my work at various shows at Fuller Lodge Art Center for a year and the community has become acquainted with some of my themes and techniques. However, they have never seen so many of my “outer space” collages. It was a thrill and the fulfillment of a dream to display this work in this community. The people of Los Alamos have been so receptive and supportive that I must include this town as one of my favorite places in this world. For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~ Vincent Van Gogh I will be visiting the Art Center a few times before “Universe in Pieces” closes on March 2. I hope that you can see the exhibit while visiting Los Alamos – but not on Sundays: The Art Center is closed on Sundays. I will be at the Railyard Artisans Market on offering my art for sale on February 10 and 17. On the final Sunday of the month, February 24, I will be in Albuquerque, helping to promote Poetry Out Loud at a poetry reading at Bookworks. I will be giving away FREE posters at that event, as well as selling giclee prints of “Hear the Echoes”. Love and Peace, Deco My new solo exhibition, Universe in Pieces, opened on January 15 in the Portal Gallery of the Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The exhibition includes over a dozen framed Original Collages featuring galactic images: planets, galaxies, nebulae, and star birth clouds, and imaginative views of the cosmos. Some of these are large-scale presentations, measured in feet rather than inches, but they all invite the viewer in for a closer look. The collages are layered with images and words, encouraging participation in the creative process. “…we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” |
The weeks leading up to the show were a frenzy of creation, as I produced pieces special for the show. One of these were a collection I call Collage Staves; a friend nicknamed them “long skinnies”. I got discarded wood from the Habitat for Humanity shop, cut them into various lengths, sanded and stained and finally, collaged intense bits on them. They are unlike my usual style - very direct and personal. I varnished them and attached hangers, so they are ready for wall display. The tallest is 25" and the shortest is 13". I have a few remaining from the show and they are available in groups or singles. |
Another new collection is a group of small bold collages that I called the Septet. These also are not my usual style and had an interesting origin. In November, three people who I rarely see each gave me stacks of “interesting paper” from various sources. So, I challenged myself to use these to create similar shaped but unique pieces from these donated papers. Each is on 9” x 12” paper and is titled for the dominant word in the collage. I enjoyed the work and will be making more, so the Septet will grow to be a Decade. I also debuted a new line of cards featuring scenes of New Mexico, and these proved to be very popular.
December, with its gorgeous generous holidays, provides ample occasions to meet with friends and family and enjoy the gifts of the season.
Santa Fe decorates its plaza with a glorious blaze of colorful lights. I love to walk beneath them and gawp in wonder – they inspire visitors to sing carols and to dance in the magical light. Seriously! I love it. I saw the full moon rise above the mountains on the night of the tree-lighting. Our mountains have had a beautiful snowy season; tramping in the white woods under a blazing blue sky is something I look forward to every winter. Then coming home to my cozy kitchen and cooking up seasonal feasts with family and friends is always a joy.
My work is also available for purchase from me directly (with PayPal) and always from the online store Santa Fe Arts.
Opening on January 15 and running to March 2, in Los Alamos at the Fuller Lodge Art Center’s Portal Gallery, the exhibition will feature my large-scale collages depicting views of the cosmos.
This show, of these galactic images presented in this unique community, is a fulfillment of a long-held dream. Since moving to New Mexico, I wanted my art and visions of the universe to be seen by the people in Los Alamos.
The show is titled Universe in Pieces and the reception will be Friday, February 1, 5-7 pm. Food and live music, of course! I hope to see many of you there. More details to follow.
Wishing all of you and families and dear friends a hopeful and happy Holiday Season!
Love and Peace!
Deco
People’s Choice
Shadow Boxer
Exquisite Corpse
Exquisite Corpse opens in the Santa Fe Community Gallery on October 26, with a reception that evening 5-7 pm and runs through January 15, 2019.
Hear the Echoes
To celebrate the launch of the poster, I will join the New Mexico Arts for an evening of art and poetry. Local poets will read, I will display my original collage “Hear the Echoes”, and we will distribute the poster to the public.
The Poetry Poster Launch Party will be On October 26, 2018, 5-6 pm, at the Collected Works Bookstore.
Upcoming Events
Recycle Santa Fe Arts Festival
Recycle Santa Fe Arts Festival, at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, December 1 & 2, 2018
And as always…cutting and pasting! Lots of new art on the way.
Love and Peace!
Deco
and peace,
Deco
Once a visitor was grasping to find a word to describe my abstract process. “Freestyle” is the word he produced and I embrace it enthusiastically. Freestyle collage work is what I do. Doesn’t that sound liberating and energizing? I began four new pieces this week; two, nearly completed, are destined for the Beatles fan show in Chicago next month; one is a very special landscape for a project I am creating for the State of New Mexico; and the fourth is one of the Coral Reef pieces – ninth in the series! This is going to be awesome – I can see it now. And yes, I know where I am going with it! |
Peace
and
Love!
Deco
D E C O
Recent Exhibitions
Recycle
Santa Fe
Art Festival
November 11-13, 2022
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W Marcy St., Santa Fe
March 4 to 27, 2022
at Ghostwolf Gallery
Suite 3
206-1/2 San Felipe St NW
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 246-WOLF
ghostwolfgallery@gmail.com
National Collage Society
Recycle Santa Fe
Art Festival
Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W. Marcy St.
Santa Fe, NM 87504
3 Day Art Market
LIVE
In Person
Trash to Treasure:
Originals, posters, prints, cards
Juried Exhibition of
Works on Paper
Sept. 11 - October 30, 2021
Brand Library & Art Center
1601 West Mountain St.
Glendale, CA 91201
National Fine Arts Exhibition
August 28 to October 28, 2021
Marin Society of Artists Art Center
1515 W. 3rd St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
Zoom Reception: Sunday September 12, 2021, 5 pm PDT
Watch the slide show!
This is a fantastic array of art about women. My entry "What Dreams May Come" appears at minute 4:46
Works on Paper Exhibition
August 16-September 17, 2021
Gardiner Gallery of Art
Bartlett Center
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078-4085
Reception and lecture:
September 14, 2021 5pm
National Exhibition of Collage and Assemblage
May 1-23, 2021
D' Art Center
740 Boush Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Opening Reception
Thurs., May 6, 5:30-7:30 pm
Group Exhibition
May 6-29, 2021
Las Laguna Art Gallery
577 S. Coast Highway A-1
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Group Exhibition
May 17 - July 2, 2021
O'Hanlon Center for the Arts
616 Throckmorton Ave.
Mill Valley, CA 94941
July 1-31, 2021
Verum Ultimum Art Gallery
3014 NE Ainsworth
Portland, OR 97211
View exhibition online:
Liminal Part 1
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