Just Taking an ATC Break…

Textured Artist Trading Card inspired by Frida Kahlo… using glass beads medium and art glitter, October 2011

I don’t think there’s been a week that’s gone by since April that I haven’t been stressed out about preparing for the Atrium Show… hoping to be inspired enough to bring to life at least 25 […]

Student Spotlight: Escape into Erika Deruaz’s Fantasy Garden

Erika Deruaz, Vision Board, Collage, 16 x 20 inches, June 2010

A petite energetic soul, Erika Deruaz is an accomplished artist who paints and collages among other things. A well-seasoned artist, what impresses me about her is her long-term passion for art and her continued ability to dream. Here are her vision board […]

Collage Tip #8: Collaging A Dream Journal

Sneak peak of Atrium Gallery mixed media/collage journal page "Ghosts of the North, Part I" (2011) inspired by a dream about my husband.

Dreams make the perfect subject matter for collaging; their surreal (unreal) quality can give you a great jumping-off point for creating art.

Why bother collaging your dreams (or nightmares)? […]

Vision Board Spotlight: Ruth Watt, Beautiful Dreamer

Ruth Watt, Vision Board, Collage, November 2010, 16 x 20 inches

I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth Watt for the first time at Dragonfly Dreams studio in Richmond, Ontario. At first she was unsure of how to tackle her vision board but slowly through the process she discovered a way to make […]

Defying My Comfort Zone: A Plein Air Class with David Kearn

In this journal page I have used magazine fragments of drawings and paintings including one of Vincent Van Gogh's drawings in the top centre and right side of the page.

After months of collaging, I decided to try my hand at something new. I love to add bits of imagery from drawings and […]

Vision Board Spotlight: Maggie Jordan’s High Flying Visions

Maggie Jordan, Vision Board, April 2011, 16 x 20 inches (small texts on right side: "A Fine Balance", "With Proper Care", "Delight Will Grow")

It’s time for another student spotlight. It’s such a pleasure to highlight a student who’s been so enthused by what I’ve taught them, that they just had to come […]

Book Review: Boosting Your Creative Brain Powers!

Michelle Casey, "Forces Compel Me", Collage in progress, July 2011

There’s a popular myth out there that states only some of us have the “natural” ability to be creative. My Aunt always laments that her daughter doesn’t have a “natural” talent for making art like me; this never fails to irk […]

The Collage Artist is In!

Elaine Coombs, "Once in a Song", Acrylic on canvas over panel, 50 x 40 inches, 2011

Hello! It’s been nice to take a break from blogging to concentrate (almost) exclusively on producing works for my upcoming Atrium Gallery show. Some of my friends thought I was away on vacation, but no such luck! […]

Vision Board Spotlight: Monika Seidenbusch’s Dream Chalet

Monika Seidenbusch, Vision Board, January 2011, 16 x 20 inches

I first met Monika Seidenbusch, an artist and painter, while exchanging Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) a few years ago. I remember being so taken by her superbly stylized portraits of women that I now proudly display one in my home. I love the […]

Collage Tip #7 (Part I): Going Gaga for Magazine Textures!

Our Lady of Textures, Mixed Media Collage, May 20, 2011

Earlier in the year, I received a request from artist/teacher friend Andrea Pumphrey who asked me to give some tips on creating textures. Well Andrea, I’ve rounded up a whole slew of ways to add fabulous textures to your collages! There are so […]