Two Tuesdays - Collage #10

2012 Collage Challenge

On Sunday I wrote about a recent Paper Swap and the Flower, Plant and Tree themed papers I received from Eliz in Singapore. These are the collages I created using only papers from this swap. It turned out to be more of a challenge than I thought working from a group of papers chosen by someone else. There were certainly enough papers to pick from but maybe that was part of the difficulty - having so many choices.

© K. Johnson 'Lucky Fish' - 5"x7" collage on paper

These warm yellows and oranges are colors I wouldn't naturally pick up but I actually like this one the best of the four.

© K. Johnson 'Dragonfly'' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

© K. Johnson 'Singapore Green' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

© K. Johnson 'Rosy' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

All of the Two Tuesdays collages can be seen here.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose.....

In March I took part in my 3rd paper swap over at LaWendula's Paper Swap Blog. I gathered up as many papers following the theme of Flowers, Plants and Trees as I could and wrapped them up to send to the person I was paired with. This is some of what was in the package I sent.

I was paired with Eliz an illustrator living in Singapore. Singapore sounds so exotic and I was anticipating all kinds of interesting and different papers. I was not disappointed - here's a sampling of the fun papers and items she sent.

My collection has really grown, having participated in several of these paper swaps. I've been intending to use the wonderful papers from this stash in some collages and am happy to say that I finally got to it.

This week for the Two Tuesday's collage I will share a few I finished using some of the papers received from Eliz. See you on Tuesday :)

Two Tuesdays - Collage #9

2012 Collage Challenge




© K. Johnson 'Pieces to Find' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

All the collages in this series can be seen here.



The Sun is Shining Bright

The sun was shining brightly last week in more ways than one. We did have some beautiful weather and I enjoyed the time outside working in the garden. I also got the good news that I had work accepted into 3 upcoming shows. You just never know how it will go when you enter a juried show. I try not to take it too seriously but at the same time there is that nervous anticipation while you are waiting to find out if you are in or not.

This is my first time showing at the Hygienic Art Gallery's annual juried exhibition "The Seventh Crossing". I unfortunately had to miss the opening reception on Saturday night but can't wait to go and see how the show looks.

© K. Johnson  'End of Season'

The second is in Rhode Island at the Artists' Cooperative Gallery of Westerly. The opening reception for "The 19th Annual Regional Art Exhibition" is from 5-8 this Wednesday as part of the monthly Westerly Art  stroll.

© K. Johnson 'Darkening Vista'

The third is the CWA Members Juried Show at Galore Gallery in Middletown, CT. This one is a little extra special since it is my first event with the group as a new member. This is a few months away yet with the opening reception on July 1st and runs through July 27th.
 

© K. Johnson 'Reclaimed'

Sunshine and good news - I am incredibly grateful for such a wonderful week.

PS: My good friend Laura received this exact same good news last week. You can see some of her beautiful and colorful works here.

Two Tuesdays - Collage #8

2012 Collage Challenge

 K. Johnson 'Anticipation' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

Watching the garden come alive each Spring is a fascination that never loses it's magic or freshness. Time for clean up, planting, and dreaming.


All the collages in this series can be seen here.

Two Tuesdays - Collage #7

2012 Collage Challenge

© K. Johnson 'Untitled' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

Giving a title to my work has always been a challenge. Once in a while if I'm working on something with intent, the meaning can come through in the finished piece and the title is right there on the surface for me to grab. More often, especially with collage, I let the process and materials lead me without much planning or forethought. I think these are sometimes my more successful pieces but the meaning can stay hidden from me until much later on.

Well, this is one of those"Untitled" pieces that is not speaking to me just yet. If you have any ideas or suggestions I would love to hear them.

What's your process for coming up with titles? Is it easy or do you struggle?


All the collages in this series can be seen here.

The Leibster Award

The Liebster Award takes its name from the German word meaning Beloved, Dearest or Favorite.

This award is given to bloggers who inspire you and have less than 200 followers.

It is an honor to be nominated for the Leibster award by Ellen at http://ellengetscrafty.blogspot.com/. From quilting and painting to gardening and cooking Ellen is an inspiration to me with the wide variety of talents she shares on her blog. She brings me “back home” when I see pictures of her lovely garden and read about her excursions in the San Diego area. Thank you Ellen.   

To accept the award, you must:

1. Link back to the person who gave it to you and thank them.
2. Post the award on your blog.
3. Give the award to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers that you appreciate and value.
4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.

These are my five nominations:

http://lauratwotina.com/
I look forward to each and every post from Laura and Tina who collaborate and bring their blog together in the most unique way. They generously share from their years of experience as artists and educators. They are open with their views and ideas and encourage everyone to join the conversation. 

http://printmakingwithoutapress.blogspot.com/
A friend sent me a link to Linda’s blog when we were first experimenting with and trying to make gelatin prints. I learned so much by watching the video tutorials she shares about this unusual printmaking technique. Visit and I am sure she will inspire you to give it a try yourself. If I lived closer I would be taking one of her workshops for sure.

http://leenieworld.blogspot.com/
I first met Ilene when we were members of a book club in California. I was thrilled to catch up with her again in the blogging world after moving to the east coast. She is a most talented seam stress who has appeared several times in Altered Couture and Belle Armoire Magazines. I loved seeing her sketches as she participated in the Sketchbook Challenge last year. 

http://milliedonovan.blogspot.com/
There is much I am inspired by and admire about Millie. She is a painter, graphic designer, photographer, poet, writer and mother of 2. So full of beautiful color her paintings always make me smile. I encourage you to visit her blog and enjoy the art, photography and wonderful stories.

http://lawendula.blogspot.com/ 
Lawendula inspires me with stories and pictures of her life as mother and artist by the Baltic Sea in Germany. The beautiful collage and journal works she creates are always a joy to see. It has been great fun taking part in several of the Paper Swaps that she organizes with participants from around the world.

Two Tuesdays - Collage #6

2012 Collage Challenge

© K. Johnson 'Quiet Morning' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

Some of the materials for this piece were gathered while having a coffee and the most delicious whole grain cranberry pecan roll at Whole Foods Market in Glastonbury. Wayne and I enjoyed a peaceful breakfast sitting by a sunny window in the cafe before the Saturday shopping crowd arrived.

I knew I wouldn't be throwing the paper coffee cups away when I saw their rust and green color - earthy tones I just love to work with. Home they went to be cut up and used as the base layer. I know I said I would be stretching myself and trying some new color palettes but I couldn't help myself here. I still have nine months to play, so lots of time for new colors.

PS: The cut off rims of the coffee cups make great cat toys - kept Tigger and Belle happy and busy for a good long time.


All the collages in this series can be seen here.

Two Tuesdays - Collage #5

2012 Collage Challenge

©K. Johnson 'Promising Forecast' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

Inspired by the warming weather telling us that Spring is on the way. The greens are always so fresh and purple is one of the first colors I see in the garden as the crocuses start to bloom.

All the collages in this series can be seen here.

'Carve it Up'

It was so long ago I had forgotten that I sent an entry to the Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine 'Carve it Up' reader's challenge back in November. It was an unexpected thrill to see my entry (the pink Bleeding Heart relief print) as I flipped through the pages of my recently received March/April issue.

I love Bleeding Hearts. I have quite a few of these plants in my garden and it won't be long before they will be in full spring bloom. They reseed so easily that every year I have plenty to give away to friends and can share the love.

© K. Johnson 'Dicentra' - 4" x 6" relief print

As I turned to the next page (86) I recognized a name from a blog I've been following for the past six months or so. The black and orange fish print shown below was made by Kim Henkel.  More of her creative endeavors can be seen at her blog Letting in the Light where she generously shares her artwork, ideas, techniques and experiments. Some of the truly unique and beautiful pieces Kim makes with tea bags are highlighted in her "Tea Bags and Creations" post from March 3rd. The inspiration of her warm and earthy palette stands out in these photos from where she lives through the long winter's of Canada.