A Few Small Repairs plus a Give-away

21 NOVEMBER, 2019

"I'm gonna fix that last joke by taking out all the words and adding new ones."

~ Mitch Hedberg

You Can Fix It

The two images above are the covers of an old book that I used as a journal when I first retired on disability nearly six years ago. I felt as though my life was irrevocably broken, beyond repair. For that reason, I chose a book about home repairs called, "You Can Fix It." Journaling was one of the many "homeworks" my therapist assigned me. I collaged the covers and started on the inside pages, but the book fell completely apart! How's that for irony, right?

The important thing is, I learned that (almost) anything can be fixed, including your life. It may take a very long time, but you can get there. Taking that lesson to heart, I began to apply it to my artwork. Several years ago, I attempted to make a small, rather quick collage each week. It was fun, and occasionally brought up some new ideas.

"Each mistake teaches you something new about yourself. There is no failure, remember, except in no longer trying. It is the courage to continue that counts."

~Chris Bradford

You Can, analogue collage on paper,  4 x 4 inches

A Few Small Repairs

The collage above was my first "weekly quick collage". Coincidentally, the title is You Can. Looking back at my old blog, I was suprised to find I had worked on this series from July of 2014 to January 2017. I may not have done one each and every week, but that's still a lot of collages!

Some of them were good enough to consider finished compostions, but most were not. Going with the "You can fix it" attitude, I decided that some of them might be worth re-working, so I picked out a few that seemed to have potential, and started with a few small repairs. Of course, once I got statred, some ended up with almost no resemblance to the originals. They may not be any better than before, but at least I tried!

"Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect." ~ Rob Reiner

Before and After

So here are a few 'before and after' images. As my optomatrist always asked, "Is it better, worse, or just the same?" Judge for yourself; I'd love to hear what you think!

After: Too Important

Before: Let's Try

Before: Definite Integral After: Spare time Cash

(left) Before: Otherwise Occupied

(below) After: Cartolina Postale

Invisible Influence, before...... ......and after.

Invisable Influence, mixed media collage on multi-media board, 7.25 x 7 inches

This was one of my weekly quick collages. I liked where it was going, but the composition felt a bit disjointed and unfinished to me. I had never done a (mostly) black and white one before, and I was intrigued by the retro feel as well as the mysterious mood.

Before: No Direction Home, mixed media collage, 8.5 x 5 inches; After: Harpy's Nest

This one was called No Direction Home, and it really didn't have one. It was just kind of boring and blah. The reincarnated version bears very little resemblance to it. To me the new version seems kind of whimsical, in a somewhat weird and creepy way, but at least it's not boring!

Before: Inside Out, mixed media collage on multi-media board, 9 x 6.5 inches; After: improved?

I thought this piece was OK, but it seemed to be missing something. Like, something more. More surrealism, perhaps? So I kept adding things, and I think it's better, but is it too much? 

A Double Holiday Give-away

I have finally made it possible for readers to follow this blog by email, as I should have done long ago. I'm offering a give-away for those who subscribe. (This is not the same as my seasonal newletter subscription.) Please don't worry that you will be inundated with emails - I'm lucky if I can even do one post a month!

There are two opportunities to get your name in the hat. Here's how it works:

1. Subscribe to my blog, and your name will be entered into the give-away. The subscription forms can be found at the very top and the very bottom of the sidebar on the right side of this blog.

2. Leave a comment on this post, and your name will be entered again. You need to subscribe to be eligible for the second entry.

3. On December 15th, I'll randomly draw out two names. I'll post the names of the winners on my instagram and facebook feeds by 8:00 pm., EST.

4. The winners can send me their snail mail addresses by email, or DM/PM me on instagram or facebook (links above). As soon as I get the addresses, I'll put them in the mail, just in time for the holidays!

What You'll Win

There will be two items given away, one print and one original collage:

Moon Shadows,  8 x 11 print

Have Patience, original collage

I hope you will join in, and good luck!