Happy 4th of July

Artist: Eileen Downes
Title: Summer Watermelon
Medium: Collage
Size 18" x 24"
I thought this artwork collage was appropriate for the 4th of July as our family enjoys the tradition of eating fresh watermelon at our 4th BBQ. Then we watch our own fireworks in front of the house complete with patriotic marching band music! Wishing you all a very happy 4th of July celebration.

Questions People Ask....

What is Collage?
Collage, pronounced ko-lahj', simply means pasting or glueing papers or objects onto a surface.
When did Collage start as a fine art form?
In the early 1900's the modernist avante-garde movement began using collage as a fine art medium. Artists such as Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were atracted to the use of everyday materials from which to create their works of art.
How long does it take you to make one of your collages?
OK, the question that artist's hate to hear, but a reasonable question none the less. I am asked this question by several customers at every art showing I have attended, and the following is my very best attempt at a straight forward answer: That is a difficult question, as I work on as many as 5 layered collages at a time at various stages of completion. What I can tell you is that the process is very labor intensive from the collecting of papers, tearing of papers, re-tearing of papers, gluing many layers, peeling many layers, and then applying the final touches to the pieces. I give each piece of artwork my very best attention, and each piece holds a part of me in it.
Can you describe your process?
My collage artwork is composed of many layers of torn paper. I use torn magazine papers as my "palette of paint" working the image by adding and subtracting tonal values of paper until I create the desired effect. I enjoy how words, phrases, and imagery from the magazine papers appear almost magically between the edges of the torn paper adding to the meaning of the piece. I leave the rough edges of the collage visible which adds to the layered feeling, and I add a touch of oil pastel to enchance the textural quality of the rough glued papers.
How durable are your collage paintings?
I use archival matte medium and acid free backing paper for my artwork. The magazine paper is not acid free, but is from higher quality printed magazines. The artworks should be framed under glass or plexi without touching the artwork itself. Avoid placing the piece where it would be in direct sunlight.
Do you do commissioned work?
I LOVE working closely with the client, and can make a custom commissioned piece specially for you. Often clients and collectors like me to use their own family photos, letters, maps from vacations etc. to create their custom layered collage. Such commissioned artworks are a joy for me to create, and have special meaning for my clients. Please contact me directly for such a commisioned work of art at eileen@eileendownes.com.

Longview Museum of Fine Art Exhibition

Here is a photo of one of my collage pieces that will be in the Longview Museum of Fine Art in Texas for the National Association of Women Artists Invitational exhibition,

Personal Landscapes Sept 18 - Oct 24, 2007.

Title: The 36-C Tree

Size: 36" x 32"

This collage, mixed-media piece embraces the concept of little girls growing up to be women. This right of passage is our "personal landscape" so to speak. It is created with torn magazine images symbolic of womanhood, lace, bra snaps, charcoal drawing, photographs of the piece mid-creation, and oil pastel.

I thought this was funny...enjoy.

Copyright Thaves. All rights reserved.

Albuquerque Exhibition

This is the front of the Albuquerque Museum of Art where I have some artwork on exhibition with the Society of Layerists in Multi-Media starting Jul 15th and continuing until Oct 8th. Check out their website at www.albuquerquemuseum.com for more information. The show will feature some "edgy" and thought-provoking work done by artists from all over the country . See photos of my wax collage pieces I have there a few posts earlier.