Using the Computer to Create

One of the weekly themes of my art class was "Mirror."  Using this concept I decided to make a mirror image of my head using the photo booth app on my MacBook.  The result is very strange and depending on how one looks at it, it can resemble me or a weird Asian person.  I titled it "Me Too" as a play on words.

Using Words

I recently visited the Museum of Modern Art  www.moma.org where I saw an exhibit entitled "Exquisite Alphabets" which uses words to express ideas, concepts, beliefs etc.  Words have always been an important form of expression and using them in an artistic way is what I chose to do in this next project.   The theme of my last class was "Knife" and I immediately came across the words "Knives" and "Kill" in the newspaper.  That was the beginning of an idea.  I painted a small canvas black leaving a red line representing blood.  Then serendipity happened...I came across a stamp with the words YOU SHOULD KNOW... A new mixed-media piece was born.

A Day of Art in NYC

Today I went to a lecture at the Metropolitan Museum of Art about the iconic painting "Madame X" by John Singer Sargent painted in 1884.  It created a huge scandal at the time.  She was a woman who was very concerned with her appearance and wore a rather risque gown.  Sargent was  determined to paint her as he saw her..a rather haughty woman who was unafraid to defy convention.  Notice the ear...she rouged it!

I also created a painting of a woman who is concerned with appearances.

A Theme

I have been working on a theme for some of my assemblages using well-known fairy tales in a different way.  "Rapunzel and The Tiny Prince" is featured here.  I used a head from a broken old-fashioned bathing beauty doll attached her to a hand-painted birdhouse and found a tiny prince to place at the base.  If you notice, her hair is tied up...perhaps she is not that interested in that little prince.

I also worked on a piece I call "Sleeping Beauty Awakes".  In this one I used an old doll,  put her into a hand-painted book box, covered her with a fancy blanket, and added pearls.  The prince (actually the head of a Ken doll) is attached to the lid and lo and behold 3 babies are in bed with her!  A lot has transpired during her years of coma-like sleeping.

A Visit to the Museum of Modern Art

As a member of the MOMA, I try to go fairly often and recently I went to view several exhibits.  I have always been interested in photography and the Cindy Sherman exhibit is a must.  She is the subject of every photograph changing her persona each time.  Another fascinating photographer features an exhibit by Taryn Simon who was being interviewed while I was viewing her work.  You can check out these and other shows on the MOMA site.  Below is one of my favorite photographs by yours truly.  This photo was taken from my window one morning.

A CREATIVE WEDDING CARD

Recently I attended my niece's wedding and instead of giving them a typical congratulations on your wedding card, I bought one and then collaged their heads on the printed bodies.  Voila!  I also had to add arms to the bride.

Exhibiting at Montclair Art Museum Juried Art Show on June 2, 2012

Exciting news!  My work will be featured at Montclair Art Museum's "Collecting Art: An Affordable Art Fair" on Saturday, June 2 from 10 am - 5 pm.

I am currently in the process of compiling my collection in preparation for this show, where all works of art will be available for under $500 apiece.  A preview, below.

Hallucination, Collage, 2011 

Hatchlings, Assemblage, 2012