Untitle

Collage and Assemblage

Collage and Assemblage by Marcia Hero

 For years I've been accumulating odds and ends of things, rusty old grinding bits, saw blades, screws, doorknobs, keys, window locks, you name it. I also started to accumulate different papers, rice paper, khadi, mulberry, tea bag paper, artist tissue papers, to name a few. At the time, there was no plan for using these things. Then I discovered Assemblage, an art genre that allowed me the freedom of putting the disparate items together to make a 2D art piece. In fact, it's possible to combine Assemblage with Collage.

The technique known as Collage is thought to have been invented either by Picasso or by Georges Braque, who both developed a very unique Cubist style in 1912 as they boldly decided to paste bits of newspapers and sheet music onto their canvases, ushering in a new era of artistic experimentation. As it turns out, I love creating collage and the elements for collage. Assemblage is a passion also, but the finished pieces can be very heavy, so the final dimensions have to be manageable.

1. "Wings and a Prayer, Collage on Canvas, 8x10, $125

2. Steampunk Fascination, Assemblage, 32x19, $625

A New Fabric Piece by Marcia L. Hochstetter

 In this piece I used leaf printing, hand and machine quilting. There a A LOT of stitches on this piece. It brings together my love of nature, sewing and painting.

It’s been a surprising summer

 As summer is winding down, so am I-i have been busy beyond measure-creating paintings, keeping up with exhibits, family, and equally frazzled friends. And as tired as I am, I don’t think that I would have done anything differently, foolish me.

I still have lots of art ideas, all types of tool I want to give a try to-however first I am in need of a nap, and a cup of tea.

Enjoy the art. Debbie 

Vacation time by Patti Belbin

This blog is late because of my vacation, but about vacation....

Everyone needs vacation time. To decompress, re-energize, disconnect and reconnect, rest, do nothing or do everything, stay home or go places, and so many other things. I've been on lots of different kinds of vacation. Driving cross country. Amusement parks, Solo European adventures. An Alaskan cruise. Staycations. Camping. None are as great as the one I've been taking for more than a few years now.

Each year I take a weeks vacation to go up north to what might be called a retreat. Several of the Martini Girls (The other Martini Girls does what she wants, too, it just isn't this week.) get together and spend some time: one on one, all three together, individually. I could speak generally for the three of us, but I'm not going to. Mostly, because even though we are a group and all of the MG's are my sisters, we are still individuals.

As an individual, this week is sacred to me. I look forward to it like nothing else. This week allows me to recharge, sleep late, complete at least 1 important to me piece of art, experiment and spend important time with my Martini Girl family. 

It starts with an almost 5 hour drive for two of us. We chat almost nonstop, sharing stories and experiences that bind us closer together each time we make the annual drive. Our arrival is a celebration of being together again. The whole week is about shared meals, sleeping in, coffee together each morning, working together in the garage turned studio, a few outings, rides on the lake, and connecting.

Outside of just being together, art is the most important part. We work in the studio, talk about ideas and wanna tries, go at least one art show/gallery. Usually, I bring a piece that needs to be completed for an upcoming show. Once in a while, my work takes a turn away from my plan. This is almost always a good thing, as it was this year.

I had big plans to complete a collage/assemblage piece where some of the elements extended beyond the cradled panel, increasing the size of the work. The plan isn't as important as the work, though. Quite a bit of the bits and pieces needed were created prior to this trip, but the assembly of the piece was finished completely within the week; no elements going beyond the edges of the panel. I thought about ways I could incorporate those bits. They just weren't needed.  My current obsession with transformed ephemera on my collage/assemblage work and love of circles merged almost magically. Some of that magic stopped it from being overdone. It was very satisfying and exciting to create this piece. With my sisters. On vacation. . 

These are always among my favorite pieces. Just a look at any one of them brings me right back to th.e week. We don't take nearly enough photos when we are together. Turns out, they really aren't needed; the weeks live in my heart and mind. 

Maybe this isn't your idea of vacation. That's okay. You need to do you and I hope you do find what can inspire you, that makes it wonderful to create your art and fills your heart. 

Patti Belbin 

Snippet of "Moonlit Garden"

A Little Sketchbook Fun by Marcia Hero

 I had a little fun playing in my sketchbook today. Transparent fluid acrylics layered on top of each other, some dark marks added for contrast, and then some Asemic writing in gold for a little bling.

Obsessions

 I was at a meeting recently and the method we used to introduce ourselves was unusual. Of course, we said our name, where we were from and then ,what our primary medium is followed by what our latest obsession is. My primary is cold wax and my obsession is collage/assemblage. What used to be flat and smooth with occasional texture changed to very textured and rarely flat. The first image below is cold wax. And the second, one of my first forays into collage. A monoprint, use of a handmade stencil, wire and foiled/painted twigs. 

 

Working smaller is easier. Exploring mediums and materials, what they do and what they can become, how they can tell a story or take the viewer places. My favorite part of collage is creating my own ephemera. Transforming materials, wire, paint, tissue paper, metal, found objects into sparkly, grungy, antiqued, molded, folded, wonderful bits. Finding new ways to transform, unusual use of products, happy accidents, awful results, but the most fun and fulfilling creative endeavors I've had in a while.

All of the Martini Girls, except for me, included collage/assemblage in their repertoire. We all watch videos and find new products, make our own secret formulas (that we promptly share), wave our artistic magic wands and viola....art. I was pretty sure I wasn't ever going to do collage and I said so. And for years, I didn't. But I learned how to make monoprints and Eco prints...before I knew it, I was off to the races. And having a grand time.

 

Go out there and experiment. Play with materials you don't normally, or have avoided on purpose. Just try something new, or just slightly different. Make a mess, have fun. Wave your artistic magical wand, see what your viola is.

The four of us hanging an exhibit at Inspiration Studios, West Allis

 

Pink is the loveliest color…

 

"Hungry Fish" by Marcia Hero

 

As an avid gardener, not only do I love to take photos of successful plantings, but of some unusual planters also. I puchased this fish shaped planter years ago, and even though it shows signs of wear and tear now, I like to drag it out of the basement every year, and plant something in it. This oil painting has been one of my favorites; it hangs in my home studio, and even though my daughter calls it the puking fish, I  prefer to think of it as the hungry one. This year it will hold Profusion Zinnias with some alyssum, and most likely will have a prominent place on the front steps of my house. 

Every year, I plant the old wheelbarrow next to my patio with Wax Begonias. They tolerate shade and a little dryness well, they bloom all summer long, and grow into a gorgeous colorful mound of eye candy.  For some reason, I haven't taken a photo, or painted the blooming feature yet, but that will follow when I blog again. ~ Marcia Hero 05/26/2024

We all must start somewhere, and I started in kindergarten with Mrs. Cole by Debbie Johnson

 

I thought she was elderly at the time, however she went on to teach at least another twenty years. I don't remember anything about her.  And it was the first year that I painted with tempera and brushes on big sheets of newsprint. I remember that. Well. That's where I started my painting thing.  BTW, in that 1961/photograph, I am in the top row, secondo from the right.

I don't know where I am going with this slow train of thought.

By Marcia L. Hochstetter

 This is another recent fabric piece. I incorporated machine and hand sewing along with some beadwork. I've always enjoyed sewing and these new pieces I've done have been a lot of fun.

Tiger Blooms by Patti Belbin

I

I've been doing a lot of experimentation in the last 18 months. Mixing and layering mediums, creating ephemera by transforming miscellaneous wires and washers and metal sheeting, using molds to turn paint into something that doesn't seem like paint, Dropping and throwing various types of paint and ink in to see what happens. Decorating and using various colors of tissue paper as backgrounds, taking advantage of the transparency of it. And it's been a blast. 

I never thought I'd be a collage artist. Couldn't even imagine it. But, as everyone knows, when you hang out with highly creative artists and absorb their bravery and why not attitude, it's a no brainer. How could I not be a collage artist. One of the greatest things about being part of a group is how you adopt some of everyone's vibe and it informs your practice. Each one of us Martini Girls does collage, but in our way, interpreting the materials completely different than the other three. 

If you are practicing art alone, keep doing that. And just think about being part of a group, creating separately together. 

Sunday, at the beach, on the still hot sand, late afternoon. Debbie Callahan, artist

 

A Bright little painting by Marcia Hero

This little 8x8" abstract gem was inspired by curves and angles, just to see how they could relate to each other. In the drabness of winter here in Wisconsin, painting bright colors and adding fun shapes and lines makes the days lighter, more pleasant, and lifts the spirit.  Currently on view at the Wauwatosa Public Library until April 30th, 2024
 "Pinky Swear"; Acrylic and Collage; 8x8; (c)Marcia Hero 

Art Openings and Lots of Fun Stuff

 This is a new fabric art piece that you can see at the Wauwatosa Library where The Martini Girls 4 has a show, named "Bits and Pieces", until the end of April. 

What a busy weekend. Friday night we went to the opening of "Womens Work" at the 2622 Art Gallery in Wauwatosa. What a great show. Saturday, after the MG4 opening at the Tosa Library we attended the opening for Sue Berce at Inspirations Studio. 

What a wonderful weekend with lots of fantastic art.

 The Martini Girls Press Release for “Bits and Pieces” at the Wauwatosa Library, April 2024

 

The award winning and dynamic group of artists, Martini Girls4, Marcia Hochstetter, Debbie Callahan, Marcia Hero and Patti Belbin, are enthusiastically announcing their upcoming art exhibition titled “Bits and Pieces”. This compelling show will be on display at Wauwatosa Public Library, located at 7635 West North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI, from April 1, to April 30, 2024 and will feature engaging paintings composed of multiple mediums, including Collage, Oil and Cold Wax, and Gold leaf, to name a few. Please join us for hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, and stimulating conversation at the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 4:30pm.

Images for the Wauwatosa Library Exhibit, reception: April 6th, 2:00-4:00

 

  Martini Girls Press Release for “Bits and Pieces” at the Wauwatosa Library, April 2024

The award winning and dynamic group of artists, Martini Girls4, Marcia Hochstetter, Debbie Callahan, Marcia Hero and Patti Belbin, are enthusiastically announcing their upcoming art exhibition titled “Bits and Pieces”. This compelling show will be on display at Wauwatosa Public Library, located at 7635 West North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI, from April 1, to April 30, 2024and will feature engaging paintings composed of multiple mediums, including Collage, Oil and Cold Wax, and Gold leaf, to name a few. Please join us for hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, and stimulating conversation at the Opening Reception on Saturday, April 6, from 2 to 4:30pm.

Abstract Joy

Marcia Hero, "Half Moon Trail", Mixed Media, 12x12, $175

Another Abstract and Collage painting from Marcia Hero. It's perfectly imperfect, and that's how I like my paintings, because, well, perfection is unattainable in my opinion. This painting began with a hodgepodge of orange background, to which I added areas of aqua and white paint. Next came the half circle monoprint collaged to the piece, and then some black collage elements. Finishing touches include mark making in black and white.