"Torn"- WHAT IT ALL MEANS

As I promised earlier in one of my previous post, I am about to explain my artwork entitled, "Torn."

This art piece was my first attempt in using paper and objects to tell a story in an abstract collage/assemblage style.  I tried to make each strip from a distance look like a piece of fabric, but when coming closer would look like a scrapbook page with hidden messages.

The layout of this piece revolves around the Log Cabin quilting square.  This is because my story began in 1997 while working on this quilt.  As you can see the Log Cabin square is constructed slightly different than one might expect.  The square is slightly off center representing where my heart would be in my body and the strips are not together, but separated by a gap of torn fabric that is restitched together.  This signifies my left main artery and branches downward tearing and being sutured up in open-heart surgery.

In a Log Cabin square one side usually has darker shades of color than the other.  The bottom right side of this piece exhibits the lighter colors and represents the more positive emotions experienced during this time.  The top left side of this piece show the darker colors and more negative emotions.

*The center square has a key hole with a key dangling just outside.  This is to invite the viewer to investigate and discover the hidden story.  
*The first strips represent the love I felt and received and opposing anger and frustration.
*Next, is the confusion about what was happening with my health and in contrast to the peace I received in exercising my Christian faith.  
*The woven piece uses photos taken from a community fund-raiser held for my medical expenses.  Showing when strangers come together as a united front we form a strong community.  On the other hand, even though in life we may be walking side by side as in strips of paper, we lack cohesiveness.  
*The outside right side used torn pieces of prayer cards sent to me during my illness.  Signifying hope and God's answered prayers.  The blue drops of glass are my tears of sadness falling.  
*The very top piece with the Fall leaves signifies the season I first went into the hospital and the very bottom piece was the last time on Valentines Day.

Always welcome to send me comments or questions.

Until next time.
Blessings,
Laurie

"Torn" Unlocking the Mystery

In September, next month's post, I will be unlocking the mystery behind each collage piece within the my art.  The hidden messages, emotional or experiential meaning will be explained.  

Collage/Assemblage
40" x 50"

It's Serious Business

I see the days are getting closer and closer to the beginning of the new Fall semester.  I need to get serious about making art kicking it into high gear, because I am scheduled for my first campus art show with  fellow W.A.S.H. art studio classmate from Sam Houston State University, Frank Graham.  August 20th-30th, we will be featured in the Lowman Student Center.  Our show is titled, "Matters of the Heart."

As I said in a previous blog, I am ready to get out of my comfort zone, put myself out there and try some new techniques and styles.  I started by revisiting one of my art studio classes 2-D projects called, Storyline.  

We began with writing a story from our life to later use as a base for a Conceptual art piece. As usual each project came with very strict perimeters each student had to follow.  This time, after revisiting the assignment, I wanted to push the guidelines in a different fashion incorporate in the art the use of color and actual items collected from this personal journey.

My story revolves around a life-threatening health situation I found myself experiencing in my mid-thirties and a quilt that I was making at the time.  Using what I learned in class and new reading material this summer, I decided to use Collage, Assemblage and Found Objects to tell my story as an art journal page.

I used the Log Cabin quilt design as my template.  Then I took mixed media paper and tore each piece to represent the fabric of each quilt piece wanting the art at a distance to look like fabric.  Then as the viewer came closer have them discover hidden messages that visually displayed my emotions and overall experience.

Here are some of the first pieces of the artwork "Torn."