A couple of days ago, a friend asked if one of my recent collages was available,... "Available? "It doesn't even exist." That's because a few months ago when the wind blew one of my creations off the canvas, I became intrigued with the idea of impermanent art. Until then, I'd accumulated a number of pieces that I'd shown in galleries. After moving them, storing them, and moving them again, I realized, I didn't like creating "stuff" in an already cluttered world. Now, after I lay down the pieces for a collage, instead of adhering them to a canvas, I take a photo, share it on facebook and this blog then scoop the pieces into an envelope. While I don't think Tibetan monks would agree with saving the image, it does allow me to see where I've been, where I might be going and allows me to make poster prints if requested. (I know - Not very Zen!) Rather than a studio of large canvases, I have a box of envelopes, a disc of images, and the satisfaction that comes with creating "public" art which for now hangs on facebook walls and computer screens.... and which for now, makes me very happy. ********************* Below are the four collages I made this week - As in previous weeks, the fourth is made up of all the pieces from the first three. Though I do these fourth collages to learn something new about the colors and shapes, this week I also learned that sad mad clowns aren't as popular.... as couches hanging from trees and pennies falling from the sky into umbrella teacup strollers. My fifth week challenging myself creatively to combine all the pieces from the week's 3 collages. Nobody actually asked me, "Why all the collages?" After posting twenty one collages this past six weeks, I've started to wonder. Without a rational reason, I decided to simply commit to making at least four collages a week - three "solos" followed by a fourth where I challenge myself to combine all the pieces from that week. As with any creative process, I've been trusting the "why" will eventually answer itself - that I'll discover something I wouldn't otherwise. So far, I've learned... the creations that seemingly come out of no where and are fast and imperfect - they are the one's that others seem to connect to the most. Thinking too much really can get in the way. And I've discovered that committing to doing something public is a great way to move beyond perfectionism..... I haven't loved all of my collages and at times I've felt silly posting so frequently. But, I've decided that for me, right now, this process is more important than avoiding failure or embarrassment. This week,.....planes flew into my head...a tree showed up....Then other circles in circles had something to say....
Friday they all went to town. "eyeballs, airplanes and tree go to town" courtney snyder Last week an oversize house tried to come in....pinwheels created some energy and flowers showed up to remind me to say, "Thank you"....
That Friday... they all converged on a flower shop Week 2.... Louisville bridges crossed over untroubled water, while beach umbrellas got washed up and some baubles ....bobbled.
That Friday, they all connected at Coney Island. "bridges, baubles and beach umbrellas connect at Coney Island" courtney snyder Week 1... invisible dancers were stuck in my head along with rings and hanging beach towels
Mary Poppins decided to scoop them all up and head off to the beach. "mary poppins heads to the beach with the last three collages" courtney snyder Maybe there's something you feel compelled to do Maybe it doesn't make sense Maybe it doesn't have to..... for now. (Please excuse the excessive use of "courtney snyder" - though it's obvious I did these pieces, labeling them as such brings more visibility on the web and my hope is to share what I'm doing with anyone who might be interested.) I made this out of all the pieces of my last three "temporal" collages. I'm trying to do these each Friday, not because I expect them to come out beautiful, but because they challenge me to create within limitations. |
I am an artist, psychiatrist and mother.
I live in Louisville, Kentucky with my husband and daughter. Categories
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August 2013
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