This is from October 2011 when I started the June collage for my Longhaired Dachshund calendar. I can't remember why I did this in the kitchen and not the studio. I know I wanted to lay out the materials I would use and work on the color palette before I started. As you can see, I had forgotten to place Darby's pillow in his spot by the French doors. He is waiting there for me to do so.
Here is my Darby calendar collage for the month of February. This one was less of a struggle than January's collage. It helped to sketch an idea first…
It also helped to look at a masterpiece. I printed out Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles, 1888, and referred to it often…
I also discovered that Van Gogh was much more methodical than is often assumed. Here are two sketches of Bedroom in Arles. One sent to his brother Theo…
And this one sent to his friend and fellow artist Paul Gaugin…
The other piece I printed out was this Romare Bearden collage. I don't know the name of it. I kept coming back to his blocks of color…
Now, on to March. I think it's going to be about Darby in the miner's lettuce…
Actually, I am still discovering my collage process. Especially since, as I’ve mentioned, this year I am creating a series of Darby collages to include in a 2012 Longhaired Dachshund calendar. I’ve never worked on a series before. These are some photos of my first steps.
I spent a significant amount of time cutting out silhouettes of Darby sleeping. Then, decided I wanted to use the actual photograph instead. This is an important decision for a collage artist. Are you going to use the photo or deconstruct the photo and build the shape out of other materials? I wanted to use natural and/or Japanese paper in each collage and I liked the idea of Darby made out of the speckled paper, like an eggshell in the nest. And I wanted to use the feather paper beneath the nest. But both didn’t feel right. So I’ve put these attempts aside. For now.
Every time we go for a walk, I spend time looking at the colors I see, and the natural world my dog interacts with. Brown, green, and a hint of purple are January this year. Here are some images I intend to work with, including photos I took of succulents in my yard.
Here’s my work table. Yes, those are real deer antlers hanging on my fence…
One of the challenges I discovered was that I kept finding images I wanted to use for other months. I considered buying another table, but knew I would lose the saved images under piles of more saved images. So I decided to put everything up on the wall. I used Scotch Reusable Tabs
I’ve also been working on compositions for future months and posted them on the wall too…
Here’s the direction I’m headed. I placed a lighter version of speckled paper behind the nest…
P.S. When I was finishing up yesterday, I noticed a scrap of paper on the window sill. I put some pine cones behind it (I’ve become obsessed with the artistic and engineering genius of the pine cone since I moved here — I used to think they were corny) and took a picture. It was a nice reminder about simplicity and the happy accidents that occur in the studio.
I’m so glad to be back.
Zoe
Congratulations to Dog Art Today reader, Candy Adams, who won my Angels With Fur Photo Album Contest. Candy’s name was selected at random from everyone who submitted photos to my new online album. To be honest Candy might have won if it were an actual photography contest. I simply love this sweet close up of her pup, Zoe, whom she described as:
Candy told me she has an interest in learning more about photography, but claimed she just “got lucky” with this terrific Zoe photo. I told her that I don’t believe in luck when it comes to composition and having a good eye. I definitely think she should pursue her interest and I think winning this contest is a sign that she is headed in the right direction.
For her prize, Candy chose one of my all time most popular designs, The Striped Dachshund Puppy. It’s kind of hard to see on the mug…
Here is the full image available as a print at my Etsy store…
It is also available on t-shirts, baby clothes, pillows, greeting cards, tote bags and ornaments at my CafePress store.
Thank you, everyone who entered. I can’t tell you how fun it was to open my email and meet all these fabulous dogs, each one so precious and individual. I also enjoyed getting to know many of you who regularly read my blog who I didn’t know by name. Please feel free to share any comments and suggestions with me. I love hearing from you.
P.S. The contest is over, but you can always submit your dog to my Angels With Fur Album. All dogs are welcome.