More Birds up for Bid

Red Robin--Comma Gallery

Blue Bunting--Comma Gallery

Last Entry from Savannah

A.T. Hun Gallery

We visited this eclectic art gallery on our last visit to Savannah and really enjoyed it. We were lucky enough to meet one of the artists on display when we were there, and talked to him about his work. 

This time we went back and were lucky enough to have met the owner as we were browsing the eclectic mix of styles and mediums in the A.T. Hun Gallery. I spoke with Chuck about collage work as I made a purchase of some glass bead earrings, the jewelry artist had made her own earring cards with a collage technique and I mentioned that I really liked the card. Chuck and I got to talking about collage art and Paper Paintings, one thing lead to another and he asked me to ship some work to them to show in the gallery!  Chuck said, "that was the easiest acceptance of an artist I ever made." and I said, well, "that was the easiest pitch I ever gave!" 

Serendipitous.

Forest Gump Steeple

Indepedent Presbyterian Church on Bull Street

Here is a good shot of the storm which came last night, rolling in behind the famous church steeple from Forrest Gump! Everyone goes for a blue sky shot on this, but I think this gray stormy sky is more dramatic!

More Feet

My Feet in Spanish Moss

Today it was supposed to rain, so I chose alternate footwear. Here are my feet in Spanish Moss, something we do not have up North! 

Down South, Up North

Southern Gravestone for Northerner

Today we explored the Colonial Park Cemetery where we walked thorough Spanish Moss covered trees and ancient weather worn grave stones. Along the back wall of the cemetery, grave markers have been placed that had previously fallen over or were damaged and unable to be associated with their original graves. Along this wall I found many stones for people who died and were buried here, but were originally from the North. 

Being born in Boston, with my extended family from there, I found this stone particularly interesting.

Creative Inspiration

The Wysteria House

Today, we took the Tour of Homes and Gardens here in Savannah. We visited and toured 7 beautiful homes. For as many things here -- four-hours north of Orlando-- that very much reminded me of growing up in the North, there are also many things that are distinctively of the South. 

This photo of Wisteria vines on the outside of an old victorian mansion overlooking Forsythe Park, is of a flower that I have never seen before! It's just amazingly beautiful and I couldn't help but to think that it would make a nice subject for a small collage. 

Last week we went to Harry P. Leu Gardens in Orlando, and my husband shot many wonderful photos of flowers and tropical plants. He did not mind at all shooting many flowers at my request, which I had hoped would be inspiration for future Paper Paintings. You never know where you will find your motivation.

I am considering botanicals when I finish with my birds...

An Attraction to color

Color, Color, Color

A few weeks ago, I emailed my dad this photo of my legs and feet. I titled the email simply, "Your Colorful Daughter." 

My Dad's response was "You were always attracted to color, from a very young age." 

I know this is true, because I cannot remember a time that I did not go for the brightest, most colorful choice presented to me. Whether it's shoes, clothes, or paints. My paper collages are a celebration of color, because my life is a celebration of color.

Now you know already, what I am going to tell you about the leaf and how it stood out to me among the others! This photo was taken today in the park. I choose the yellow one!!!

Stopping to Smell the Roses

Celebrating Spring in Savannah

Creating my small bird collages have been reminding me of how much we looked forward to the arrival of spring in New England. Today my husband and I walked through Forsythe Park and I could not help but to feel very nostalgic when we passed a row of Yoshino Cherry trees in full bloom. Walking around downtown, we saw more cherry trees and azaleas in bloom everywhere we went! 

Flowering trees were always a good indicator that spring had finally arrived, and that warmer weather was in our future! Today, I stopped to smell the "roses" and remember that life is about appreciating the little things.

Up North, Down South

My Feet in Real Grass!

yes, those are my toes. Having lived in Florida for the past 15 years, I have gotten very used to our thick blades of squishy St. Augustine grass. But, having grown up in New England, memories of running barefoot from my childhood do not include that thick spongy carpet of grass, they include thin blades of soft fuzzy grass that we grew from seed every spring, and did not roll out in squares like carpet!

I am in Savanna, GA this weekend, taking in some jazz, touring some old victorian homes, and running my toes over the real grass.

April Newsletter

For about a year now, I have been producing a single-sheet PDF monthly newsletter. In this newsletter I share new shows, work and goings-on of Paper Paintings. Today, my friend Jo Reimer commented on my Birds on a Wire series and mentioned that she really liked my newsletter this month. That got me to thinking, I should offer this newsletter to my blog readers, just in case you can't get your fill of paper collage!

If you are interested in receiving my monthly e-newsletter, email me: ejnelson@mac.com and put ART NEWSLETTER in the subject line. I am working on a link to the newsletter on my website as well.

Birds on a Wire

Waiting--unframed
10" x 10" (25.4cm x 25.4cm)
Collage on Panel
$75 plus $3.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Spring is for the Birds

Birds on a Wire -- New Series Takes Flight

Oriole, 12x12, collage on panel

I am starting on a series of small bird collages for spring, Oriole is one I did for my friend Heather to hang in her new shop "Heather Handmade" on Ivanho Row in Orlando. I plan to offer small unframed collages for sale right here on my blog in the upcoming weeks.

Perhaps a little bird might help to remind you that spring is around the corner!

Under Paintings

Beginning the Creative Process

10x10 collages on panel

The birds are taking form, going from sketches to loose under paintings. I thought I might share some in progress photos. I love doing the under painting because I know that it's going to be covered with paper, and knowing that allows me the freedom to be loose and impressionistic and not get all caught up in the details. I always tell my students "Don't fall in love with your underpainting!" Because if you do, you'll never want to collage on top of it!

New Work

Sketches for Birds on a Wire

10x10 collages on panel

Spring is in the air, at least here in Florida it is. I have noticed a lot of very bright green trees this past week while out bike riding. My family lives in the Northeast and they are still getting dumped on with snow and cold weather, as I am sure many of you are.

I thought that these little bird collages might brighten your day!

Katharine Butler Gallery Opening Night

Charlie Barmonde and Yours Truly 

Opening Night in Sarasota

Charlie, who makes beautiful pottery vessels, posed for a iPhone shot with me at Katharine Butler Gallery two weeks ago on our opening night. (I wish we had a real camera!) The show was very well attended and I received many compliments on my paper skirt. 

Charlie told me that he really liked the skirt, and wished he had thought to wear stone wear shoes, I told him that he could work on making those, for next time.

Museum of Florida Art -- Motorcycle Show

Opening Night Excitement

Motoring, 24 x 35, collage on panel

Thanks to Robin Maria Pedrero, who attended the opening last Friday night, for sending along a photo of my piece at the show. She said it was right there when you first walked in! 

I will be offering a collage workshop at the Museum of Florida Art in March, click "Upcoming Workshops" in the sidebar of this blog for more info!

A Taste of Citrus at COMMA Gallery

Life's Lemons and Moms' Best Key Lime Pie Chosen for COMMA Gallery

Opens March 10, 6-9pm /  Runs through April 10

I am happy to announce that I will have two pieces in the first of three juried shows celebrating Florida Citrus at COMMA Gallery in Orlando

This first show is citrus as still life. Come out and see all the artists' interesting interpretations of the theme!

Trying Something New

Jasper Indiana – unframed
14 ½" x 10 ½" (0
collage on panel
$35 plus $3.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

As you know, I am always trying something new with art and technology assisted marketing! This week I have been working hard to figure out a way to sell my art directly from my blog. This is my first attempt and so I am making this piece available at a fantastic price! I created this map collage for my solo exhibition at the Jasper Arts Center in 2007.

This piece holds a little bit of history for me, because the Jasper show was my very first solo exhibition. The call for entries was open nationally and I was honored to be chosen. It's your chance, so BUY NOW!