For a year or more I've had a stack of backgrounds painted by other people. Some were part of a painted paper swap. Others were just lovely gifts.
I love to look at them, but when it comes time to create I always want to use my own papers and backgrounds. It feels like cheating to use other people's art.
But in the spirit of this week I decided it was finally time to use some of these pieces. It turned out to be a lot of fun. I cranked out twelve postcards in a single evening. Rather than viewing them as my own art, I consider them inadvertent collaborations with some lovely friends. I have noted the name of the collaborator below each card.
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| background by Colleen Kent |
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| Background by Corrine Gilman |
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| Background by Corrine Gilman |
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| Background by Dori Singh |
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| Background by Dori Singh |
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| Background by Gina Visione |
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| Background by Jez Eden |
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| Background by Jez Eden |
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| Background by Jez Eden |
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| Background by Karen Miller |
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| Background by Colleen Kent, middle card by Corrine Gilman |
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| Background by Jez Eden, middle card by Corrine Gilman |
Many, many thanks to all of my mail art friends who are so generous in the things they share. I've created more this week than in the last several months combined.
You have lifted me out of my slump.
These are very fun!
ReplyDeleteLove these! And you've been inspiring me with "use your stuff"! I've cleaned up, organized, used, etc. It's great!
ReplyDeleteYou created all of these in one evening? You must have been like a whirling dervish! They are, of course, SUPERB!
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i love the "Use Your Stuff" concept -- and you are collaborating with friends. Very cool. And -- you've been busy too.
ReplyDeleteQuite a while ago you sent me a book you had made full of backgrounds, and I have been afraid to draw in it (didn't want to spoil it) and felt like you about using someone else's work. Now you've said about seeing it as collaboration I am looking at them with a different eye, and I'm going to go for it. So thanks, Karen.
ReplyDeleteAll your pieces are so good, funny, thought-provoking and unusual. And WOW, I saw some of my backgrounds there. I feel quite chuffed about that (for USA, chuffed means really, really pleased and happy).
Oh, Karen, these cards are fantastic and inspirational! You pulled me out of a creative slump with these energetic collaborations. After seeing this post, I pulled out papers and glue and made a big mess and a little collage journal. It felt great! Thank you very much for all that you do! With hugs from karenm.
ReplyDeleteThese are just SOOOO wonderful. It is so great to have a springboard of a change in color or design to get the collage juices flowin'. I've loved that with collage kits that have been sent to me over the years. Maybe another idea for MMSA to assemble and send two simple collage kits, each to be sent back to the original collage assembler in collaged fashion by two receiving artists? I'll post this on MMSA too :D….
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