Thursday, October 21, 2010

Gathering Histories



Lynne Perrella has been very generous and sent me this wonderful packet of old papers, forms, documents and music sheets, seen below. It is obvious these papers are filled with past personal histories and journeys.

Lynne Perrella is an author of books, including ART MAKING: Collections and Obsessions. Her collages and assemblages, like the one below, illustrates her ability to gather old histories and re-create them in a new and exciting way. Find more of her collages and assemblages at her website here.

Barry Smith, from Australia, is a sculptural artist and metal worker. He sent me this wonderful bowl below, which he created from 'beaten' metal. Thank you so much.

Barry recycles materials like rusty metal and weathered wood. Below is a teapot he made with a brass cylinder, echidna quills and a copper pipe. You can find more of his metal works at his blog RustnStuff here.

Maureen Brouillette lives in Texas and is a friend of mine. She uses travel photos, post cards, old maps in her collage paintings. You can often see nostalgic imagery of old buildings that depict old histories that we still see around us today.

You can find much more of Maureen's mixed media/collage paintings at her wonderful website here.

Glenn Skien, from Australia, is a printmaker, book binder, collage and assemblage artist. He collects and reuses old objects, old papers and books with the idea that he is discovering old histories. He then creates new meanings with "an awareness of a connection to the transient nature of all things." -- Glenn Skien

You can find more of Glenn's intriguing and intelligent works at his website and blog, Silent Parrot Press, here and here. He layers his imagery with old papers and objects, evoking real life and personal histories past and present.


Pour yourself like a fountain.
Flow into the knowledge
that what you are seeking
finishes often at the start,
and with ending, begins.
-- Rainer Maria Rilke

52 comments:

Debrina said...

Oooo nice post, Donna! And thanks for swinging on by to say hi!

Actually, I was just adding a little photo of my week's finds to the bottom of that post. I think your little "collections" photos are always just magnificent so I think I may have subconsciously got the idea off you, you know!

Anyway, you might want to pop back over very quickly and see...they're all browns and rust and silver and blue. Colours and things that are inspiring me right now and looking at your pallette here - probably you too!

Anyway - you are so lucky receiving such a gorgeous collection of papers from none other than Lynn Perrella! There's also something really refreshing about Maureen Brouillette's work. I love that collage of hers - you've really packed a punch with these terrific "finds".

Unknown said...

So many wonderful links to look at, thank you. I love the old letters and big wooden stamps, I don't find so big stamps here.
Can I ask question...Do you glue the pictures,old letters etc. straight to the canvas or do you use copies of them and glue them?! Do you have some kind of liquid how you transfer pictures to the canvas. I know there is some transfer liquid but I haven't find it from Finland. Do you know some place in internet where I could order it?
I would like try this technique on canvas so much.
Sorry million questions but I LOOVEE what you do.Have a nice weekend
Henrietta

Anonymous said...

How deightful to see some Aussies showcased here..

I think I nhave a new crush on Maureen..

love the spaciousness of her work.
I have been calling those old bulldog clips to me from the far reaches of my personal junk universe.. they will be a package one day too.

Noela Mills said...

Great finds, Donna. Good to get your blog update - I was a bit worried about you:) Thanks once again for the fabulous inspiration xoxoxo

Rebeca Trevino said...

This was such a wonderful and inspiring post. thank you for sharing the links to all these fabulous artists.

Unknown said...

Thanks for a great gallery of artists to browse and to return to later.

Ian Foster said...

Lucky you, receiving that wonderful packet of old documents, forms etc., I am sure you will put them to good use. Your collections of ephemera are wonderful, I especially like the old wooden type. I am now going to spend an intriguing hour following up the links you have supplied.

ArtPropelled said...

Thrilled to see a new post up in my sidebar! Your collections never fail to increase my heart rate. They all have a history .... if only we knew.
Lovely post Donna and beautiful new collages up on your website.

Leovi said...

A post full of interesting material, I've loved everything but highlight the assemblies. A greeting.

Anonymous said...

Lovely post! So many rich, wonderful links, and finds you've sent us! Wonderful new collages on your website! Thank you!!!

Wen said...

Always beautiful- in presentation, in content. Softens me.
Thank you

lyle baxter said...

Wonderful! you find the best to show us. as always thank you! your new critique service is very interesting! wish I had the guts!

amy of studio four corners said...

I'm always awed by your posts...and the closing quote was really the topping on the cake for me today - thanks for the inspiration

George said...

What a terrific post, Donna! I love the idea of integrating history, especially personal history, in the creative process. Each of the artists represented is fascinating and I look forward to spending more time at their respective sites. Thanks so much for being such a wonderful gateway to not only your work, but the works of others as well.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

And all those letters.....do you have s.t.u.d.i.o?

Great post as always...so beautiful and rich. I love Glen Skien's work. Thanks for the introduction to Maureen's work too.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Donna for sharing your crow piece, those crows always have stories. A wonderful introduction to some new artists and of course Lynn Perrella, her work is always a joy. Great gifts for you to work with too. xox Corrine

Caterina Giglio said...

what a magnificent packet of papers you got from Lynne! a wonderful gift and i know you will put them to great use! just got the Masters of Collage book and really enjoyed your chapter, work and words...

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

Donna, this is delightful and inspiring! What wonderful artists to explore...thanks for posting links and presenting their work! It's all beautiful and look forward to seeing the continuing history of some of those gift materials you recieved!

annell4 said...

Another wonderful post. I am recouping from surgery, and can't stay long. But I will come back. The new critique service sounds great. I will in interested, as I am starting on a new project. It will be a while before I am ready.

Eva said...

They say the friends we have reflect who we are, and I'm not surprised that you have some talented, generous friends! Thanks for the great links. Maureen's dad, Al Brouillette, was a friend of mine. I own a few of his wonderful creations. The world lost a wonderful artist and person. He is missed!

lynda Howells said...

Thank you so much for introducing me to such amazing artists. You are very lucky in your frindships. As usual love your Art and your blogx lynda

Pat Chapman said...

Just found your blog through a mixed media search and truly love your work. I just returned from a fine art collage workshop lead by Gwen Fox in Taos. Your work says visually where I want to be in it's eclectic movement, yet simple. I look forward to being encouraged by your work. Nice.

Laura said...

so interesting Donna...I especially drawn to Lynn Parella's work. Thank you for sharing these artists with us.

Seth said...

I love Lynne's work and it is always great to see it highlighted. The other artists are new to me and I will definitely enjoy clicking over to their sites. Thanks!!

Cynthia Schelzig said...

As always,,,inspiring and beautiful art...wonderful art creation at the top and thanks for all the interesting sites to visit.
Have a wonderful weekend.

zendotstudio said...

You are definitely a connector, always connecting us with new and exciting artists. Such a joy to explore. There is something deep and rich in this exploration of histories.

manuel nieto said...

tus trabajos son increibles, un abrazo

jbkrost said...

Love the work!!
and quite a collection of artists you have assembled.
it always soothing to click to your page

mansuetude said...

What's Not to love


Wonderful introductions. Thank u

Cynthia Monica said...

What a lovely post Donna...such wonderful artists all, and I will have to visit again to spend more time with each one. Thank you!

Unknown said...

I missed your posts & am happy to see another fabulous "collage" of links and art pieces. The draw of the ephemeral/vintage rawness/relevance continues to intrigue so many of us and I am (for one) glad there are no diffinitive answers, only more questions, more mystery.

Lisa said...

Welcome Back Donna! It wonderful to see another inspring post from you! I especially love that shot of your beautiful tools displayed...you have such intriguing collections.
Thanks for sharing Barry's work..his style is right up my alley and now I'm following his blog.

SKIZO said...

It’s always a pleasure
to see such a Wonderful Work
good creations

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Wonderful post and wonderful introductions...love the photos of papers and letters and especially your piece with the bird.

shayndel said...

I absolutely love the Rilke quote, and the way it is there in red just under the intriguing image with an h floating above the horse that looks like it's rested atop of what could be a fountain
pen.
Beautiful collection of images too...
Happy fall days to you!

annell4 said...

Thanks for the post and for introducing the artists that were new for me. I enjoyed seeing their work. I am much better today! Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

what a magnificent post! thank you so much for all of the wonderful posts and sharing the goodies you've received as well. i will go visit each of these artist's sites or blogs -- thank you again!

i hope you're enjoying our cold transition into fall. i'm suddenly freezing!

Deborah said...

Lovely and inspiring.

Lucky Dip Lisa said...

Love at first sight Donna!

Wondeful to have you back home and blogging again too, thanks for dropping by!

Sharmon Davidson said...

There is so much to look at here, and I'm so far behind, I'm going to have to come back later to digest it all! I love your collage- Ravens have always been one of my personal symbols- and the one by Glen Skein as well (ravens and unbrellas). Not to say that the others aren't wonderful, too, and the metal and wood, the collextions of yummy "stuff"... Like, I said, I'll be back!

ruma said...

The plane. The writing brush. The seal.
Your tools have a Japanese-style impression.
Japanese kanjis seem to be written in them.

Yes. I feel craftsman spirit in the tools.

Thank you.
ruma

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

As always, a visual feast! Thanks so much for all the beauty and for the links to wonderful work!

nancy neva gagliano said...

rilke, on it each time! "pour yourself..."...be liquid and soft and gentle.
interesting to have those pieces gifted to you by lynne ... where will they appear again?

donna iona drozda said...

Every image is a journey...thank you so much for all of your beautiful shares.
and I thank Robyn for mentioning the new collages over at your website...I'm off to visit them now.

San said...

Thanks for continuing to point the way to interesting artists. And that's quite a trove your friend sent--you will no doubt transform those into lovely things. I should say "still lovelier things." They're already quite lovely.

rivergardenstudio said...

I love your first collage here, your intriguing art "histories and collections and the quote "pour yourself like a fountain" How beautiful! roxanne

herhimnbryn said...

A breath of fresh air! thankyou for posting this. You have introduced me to some Australian artists too.

Di said...

Hi Donna
Thank you for your interesting, inspiring and full blog. I love assemblage and collage work and I think your blog delivers every aspect of that. I always lookforward to your posts.

Lisa Ursu said...

fences are imaginary
those words came to mind when looking at your collage.
the bird, a raven?, I see as communicating that fact.
some words from a favourite song came to mind as well,
"think for yourself and feel the walls become sand beneath your feet."
I find them appropriate to the colouring in your collage.

This is a wonderful post.
thank you for your visits Donna, I appreciate them very much.

Barry said...

D- Thanks for introducing people to my work. One of the many things I admire about you is your generosity in featuring people and making connects. It greatly is valued by those of us who are taking our small steps. I thought I had posted a thank you comment earlier but must have had a mad artist moment. Go well and create well. B

ruma said...

Your tools...
The seal and the calligraphy writing brush in them are interesting tools.

They will create the splendid works.

I introduce my tools.
http://p.tl/rSZU

Thank you.
ruma

magpie said...

i'm catching up with
posts and posting.

thank you for another
exquisite,
curated
itinerary.