Thanks Dave! For me, it’s a lot of the usual suspects: vintage and contemporary magazines, comic books, etc. But I also have some tricks that I find helpful. I’m meticulous with my mise en place. I organize all my scraps and fragments into bins according to size and shape. I keep it all in the top draw of my work bench so everything is with in arms reach without a lot unnecessary searching.
I think the real trick for me is that I do a lot of ‘flip-flopping’: taking analog things making them digital and making them analog again. I manipulate scans of my analog collages in Affinity photo and turn them into new compositions to print them as collage paper. I’ll do the same thing with digital photos I’ve taken as well. I’ll also create things in Midjourney and print those out too.
My other (not-so)secret weapon is the color copier at Office Depot. I’ll take clippings from my magazines and comic books and enlarge them by 400% so they become abstracted color and pattern.
I try to make my source material as interesting as possible so I can keep my assembly work flow simple.
Thanks for sharing that insight, Duane. I’m more impulsive and frenetic with my bits, but I often wish I had better organization… and a better printer.
My Pleasure! Line cooks have been an influence on my process and work flow. I relish the preparation and efficiency. My time in my studio is limited and I don’t like to waste it searching for things. I want to get as much done as possible while I’m there. I have all my printing done for me at Office Depot. I have a file of all the things I make throughout the week that I want to have printed. I submit the order every Saturday morning, they text me when it’s ready. I pick it up and that becomes my my studio ‘to-make’ list for the following week. It’s cheap and their print quality is excellent.
Your collages beautifully mirror the themes of fragmentation and connection, solitude and yearning. The tension you describe—between introspection and the desire to reach out—feels so universal, especially during the holidays!!
Great point Duane: "Trapped in the interminable tension between solitary introspection and our desire to reach." I seek that middle point between both ends of the spectrum each day. Seems to be where most of my best ideas come from. Thanks for sharing.
I'm right there with you Neil! It goes back to that delicate balancing act between solitude and connection. The need to be secluded and rooted simultaneously. It's the interplay, the reciprocity, that's always rife with meaning. I just finished reading a book called This Exquisite Loneliness by Richard Deming, it's all about the creative harnessing of isolation and longing to belong.
Mark's watercolour presentations are so expressive!
Festive greetings to you, Duane. Best wishes for now and the coming year.
Absolutely! Mark's work is awesome! I look forward to his newsletter every week!
Y‘all are too kind! Happy to see the painting made it safely.
Credit where it's due! Thanks again Mark! I've got it on an eye level shelf in my studio. Part of my pantheon of inspiration!
stunning.
Much appreciated!
Wonderful collages reflecting life's both fragmentation and connection!✨️ and how you write about your art always heals!🥲❤️
I’m in awe of all the wonderful bits you pull together for your pieces. Where do you hunt for all your stock?
Thanks Dave! For me, it’s a lot of the usual suspects: vintage and contemporary magazines, comic books, etc. But I also have some tricks that I find helpful. I’m meticulous with my mise en place. I organize all my scraps and fragments into bins according to size and shape. I keep it all in the top draw of my work bench so everything is with in arms reach without a lot unnecessary searching.
I think the real trick for me is that I do a lot of ‘flip-flopping’: taking analog things making them digital and making them analog again. I manipulate scans of my analog collages in Affinity photo and turn them into new compositions to print them as collage paper. I’ll do the same thing with digital photos I’ve taken as well. I’ll also create things in Midjourney and print those out too.
My other (not-so)secret weapon is the color copier at Office Depot. I’ll take clippings from my magazines and comic books and enlarge them by 400% so they become abstracted color and pattern.
I try to make my source material as interesting as possible so I can keep my assembly work flow simple.
Thanks for sharing that insight, Duane. I’m more impulsive and frenetic with my bits, but I often wish I had better organization… and a better printer.
My Pleasure! Line cooks have been an influence on my process and work flow. I relish the preparation and efficiency. My time in my studio is limited and I don’t like to waste it searching for things. I want to get as much done as possible while I’m there. I have all my printing done for me at Office Depot. I have a file of all the things I make throughout the week that I want to have printed. I submit the order every Saturday morning, they text me when it’s ready. I pick it up and that becomes my my studio ‘to-make’ list for the following week. It’s cheap and their print quality is excellent.
Your collages beautifully mirror the themes of fragmentation and connection, solitude and yearning. The tension you describe—between introspection and the desire to reach out—feels so universal, especially during the holidays!!
“fragmentation and connection” - YES! That’s exactly it! I think the impetus of all my work is that paradoxical balance precisely! Thank you!
Ahhh to find the balance. . . I guess it’s one of those things that takes time and patience. I hope you had a lovely Christmas Duane!
time and patience. time and patience. Exactly! Hope your Christmas was great too!
Thank you! Yes, very relaxing.
The best kind!
Impossible parameters to choose👏👏
Happy holidays to you!
Thanks so much Brian! Happy holidays to you as well!!
Great point Duane: "Trapped in the interminable tension between solitary introspection and our desire to reach." I seek that middle point between both ends of the spectrum each day. Seems to be where most of my best ideas come from. Thanks for sharing.
I'm right there with you Neil! It goes back to that delicate balancing act between solitude and connection. The need to be secluded and rooted simultaneously. It's the interplay, the reciprocity, that's always rife with meaning. I just finished reading a book called This Exquisite Loneliness by Richard Deming, it's all about the creative harnessing of isolation and longing to belong.