26 Comments
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Jason McBride's avatar

Congrats on having those pieces accepted! Like all of your work, I love them!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks so much Jason! I’m really looking forward to seeing them in the show. I don’t think it will really hit until then, haha.

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Martin Hughes's avatar

I'm fascinated by your collages. Within the abstract visions, I thought I'd work down the collection in this post and improv a poem. A journey of sorts. One of uncertainties and beginnings and ends and illusions... Which is apt given the mention of magic.

---

If I feel I've reached my destination at the very start,

Does that mean working through toward the end will only take me further away?

Like lifting nothing out of spite and getting caught up in it,

As the real deal, the me-ness of me,

Fades away over cracked pavements,

Under illusions I never catered for in the first place

But still tempt me nonetheless.

-

Perhaps the feeling of final is fleeting.

(Or could it be a fusion?)

Standing in empty space, shrouded in symbols I can't understand,

Yet assume contain answers.

Only when I look back down the river do I see the past.

Once a marvel of modern, now normal;

Free to stay locked up. Spend, spend, spend,

Until coins dry up and we spy freedom for a fraction

Before hearing we've escaped and we are bad and we must return.

Or else.

It sure is bright out here in the sun;

Allow me some shelter from this illusion

While I am lost, far away from that final destination of my beginning.

-

It is, of course, immediately granted, as I

Walk back to these chains and receive pat on the head

And know I am good again.

Yes, all is well.

Did I start here? Is this a new start?

I have mapped nothing whilst exploring

Every possible angle.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Martin!! I’m absolutely blown away by this response! This poem is wonderful and speaks to each of the pieces with such depth and intricacy. -

“the me-ness of me” - Great line!

“the feeling of final is fleeting” - Yes! This, exactly!

“It sure is bright out here in the sun” - Clever!

“Ever possible angle” - Love how you incorporated this!

I’m so humbled and grateful that you make this and shared this with me, Thank you so much!

Send me a message if you ever want to collaborate on anything!

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Martin Hughes's avatar

An absolute pleasure, Duane! Thanks for the kind words.

I may well message you about something fun in the near future...watch this space! :)

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Duane Toops's avatar

Sounds great! looking forward to it!

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Jenn's avatar

Congrats on bring your pieces accepted, that is so cool! I love all these, and how you describe pressing all the pain into pieces of paper and glue, that’s so powerful. The enormity of heartbreak is tops for me. Thank you for the beautiful words and art.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Jenn! Collage, in essence, is about taking whatever materials you have at hand and altering reality. But, that is also the implicit message of all creativity, of life as we know it. We take what we’re given and we build an engine. Everything we have can be converted into something that fuels it.

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Jenn's avatar

This is so true and just beautifully said. The taking of what you have and transforming it, building an engine ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks again! That's always been the secret to me!

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LeeAnn Pickrell's avatar

This is beautiful poetry!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thank you so much LeeAnn! That’s so kind of you!

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Writer Pilgrim by So Elite's avatar

Congratulations on your achievement!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Much appreciated!

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Victoria SkyDancer's avatar

There is a difference between the magic of rabbits and hats, and the Magick of spell-casting. You're engaging in the latter with your paper alchemy.

And getting accepted into exhibitions - look at you! Well done! 🎉

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Duane Toops's avatar

“paper alchemy” - Oh, I’m definitely stealing that! Thanks so much!

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Rod Bluhm's avatar

Magic can be created in so many ways. Thanks, Duane, and congrats on your collages!

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Duane Toops's avatar

Much appreciate Rod! It’s always great hearing from you!

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Elizabeth Grace Martinez's avatar

it sounds like you do know what magic is

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Duane Toops's avatar

Haha, thanks so much Elizabeth! You might be on to something. Thanks again!

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Brian Funke's avatar

I love your piece “proof”…

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Brian! I didn’t think much about this piece at the time. I was kind of surprised that it was on of the ones they picked. You just never know, haha.

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Treasa's avatar

Congrats on getting your artwork accepted for the Paint it Black exhibition, so exciting.

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Duane Toops's avatar

Thanks Treasa! I’m definitely excited. Now, I’ve got to get them framed and gallery ready! Tampa here we come, haha!

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janice bisset's avatar

Opens my mind and heart--deep calls upon deep. Thank you for your work.

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Duane Toops's avatar

“deep calls upon deep”, like calls to like - yes! beautifully put! Such a richness there. Thank you!

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