The Story Behind the Art

Today I am going to tackle question #3 in my ongoing series "5 Blog Posts Every Artist Should Write" suggested by this article on the website Imaginative Bloom:

The Story Behind A Piece of Art

I was going to choose a different collage actually, but a moment ago, a starling landed outside my window, so I think I will discuss this bird collage featuring a starling called Etiquette Lessons ( I am a firm believer in signs and messages!)



I made this collage about 2 1/2 years ago. It was one of the first collages I made after learning how to include other mediums besides paper in my art. It was originally made on an 9" x 12" canvas. The background was made from tissue paper I painted (using acrylic paint,) and the flowers are actually from a dinner napkin! The body of the bird was made using a Xerox of my husbands sweater. A fun tip: Color copying fabric is a great way to create interesting papers to use for collage. And amazingly, I have found no one even gives you funny looks if you go to Kinkos and Xerox a bunch of clothing!

The title Etiquette Lessons comes from the description of the starling in my animal totem book Animal Speak by Ted Andrews:

The starling is a very socialble bird, and when not nesting, they gather together to form immense flocks. They almost always travel together a feed in flocks. Because of this , Starlings reveal lessons associated with group behavior and etiquette ...

The original of this collage has sold, but giclee (fine art) prints are still available in my etsy shop here !

New Artwork - The Sing Series

I had fun making these little 4 " x 4 " collages! They were made on canvas using hand painted tissue paper as the background to add texture.

I had originally created these paisley birdies to use in a larger collage called "Always Remember to Sing," but decided to expand the idea to smaller collages I have named the "Sing" series.

These paisley birdies sitting on musical note branches are here to remind you to always remember to sing your own song, and are currently available for sale in my etsy shop!

What I did last Sunday...

Maybe other readers are familiar with this phenomena. When going on vacation, I always make sure to take full advantage of all the sights and opportunities available. But living near a major metropolis - Philadelphia, I am definitely delinquent in taking advantage of all the cultural opportunities in my area.

Philadelphia Museum of Art (sorry no Rocky steps, we went in the back!)

So, yesterday afternoon I suggested my husband and I take a trip to The Philadelphia Museum of Art (about a 15 - 20 minute drive away.) I hadn't been to the museum in years. And guess what - it was great! Some of the exhibits I remembered well. Others I found a new appreciation for since becoming an "artist" myself. I left feeling inspired and rejuvenated.

One of the many outdoor sculptures


Monet's The Japanese Footbridge and the Water Lily Pool, Giverny- always amazing to see famous art in person!

early 20th century Japanese Tea Garden (yes, that is *inside* the museum!)

If you visit with a member of the male species, you *will* have to see the armour exhibit!

Now my husband and I are planning which local museums to visit next!

Childhood Art Influences

It's always fun to look back at early artistic influences from childhood. For me, it was the illustrations of some of my favorite childhood storybooks that had the biggest impact.


The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Miffy at the Seaside by Dick Bruna, and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson are the books that stand out in my memory the most...How about you?