Independence Day

Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, CT

From every mountain side

let freedom ring.

         ~Samuel F. Smith, "America"

 

Two Tuesday's - Collage #13

2012 Collage Challenge

For the first time since I started this challenge I didn't think I was going to have anything ready to show this week. I've been feeling pretty scattered with many projects on my mind. Even when I did manage to steal a little time to sit down and start a collage I would get to a point where I couldn't figure out where to go with it or knew it just wasn't going to work at all.

Over the weekend I was thinking about and making notes for all the things I had to do to get ready for company coming on the 4th of July holiday this week. One of the notes was a reminder to put the flag out and that's when the red, white and blue theme came to mind.  I went through my bins of paper and pulled out all the red, white and blue I could find and spread them out on the table. I started with the very structured and planned out blue one Sunday evening and cutting it a bit close, started and finished the throw it together quick and don't think about it red one this morning.

© K. Johnson 'July 4th - Red' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

© K. Johnson 'July 4th - White' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

© K. Johnson 'July 4th - Blue' - 7" x 5" collage on paper

All the collages in this series can be seen here.

Two Tuesdays - Collage #12

2012 Collage Challenge

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

Autumn used to be my favorite season. Although I do still love that cool crispness you can get on an October day my negative side now only sees it as bringing on the cold and dark days of Winter.

This collage makes me think of my new favorite season Summer. The relaxing, tranquil, easy days. The longer days of light to enjoy the garden or a walk on the beach later in the day. What is your favorite season? Has it always been the same? What is it that makes it more special than the other 3 seasons?

Today is the last full day of Spring and the Summer Solstice will bring us the longest days of the year this week. Get outside and enjoy!


All the collages in this series can be seen here.

Two Tuesdays - Collage # 11

2012 Collage Challenge

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

Using some of the tissue papers I painted with acrylics recently and an Indian wood block stamp found at an antiques store.

All the collages in this series can be seen here.

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.