Timpani Collage

The past week I have been so busy-helping my mom with my brother's affairs out of state.  I couldn't believe there was so much to do.  I have been mentally and emotionally spent.  Once I got home, I pretty much fell apart.  Today I have actually felt more at peace, and felt up to doing a little art. So, i decided to do a collage and since I have had percussion on my mind, I decided to use an image of a Timpani, which my brother played for the Symphony.  I dusted off my Gocco printer and made a screen of Timpani to use as the focal image. In addition to the Gocco print, I used vintage papers, gesso, watercolor, pencil, tissue and a dry transfer letter. I know its not the straightest photo, but you get the idea :)

Rest in Peace, Dear Brother

It has been a horrible few days. My oldest brother had a major stroke on wednesday evening. At first things seemed okay but it went into a bleeding stroke, and it was inoperable.  He died today, at 56 years old.  It has been traumatizing for my family, as this came out of nowhere. 
Today I have reflected upon some memories I have of him.  For one, he was a brilliant musician.  He was a Percussionist Extraordinaire. He was a Professor of Music. Music was the love of his life.
I grew up being around symphonies, and was always so bored by them. But it was because of that, that ultimately instilled in me a love of music.  It was because of him, that I had an amazing piano teacher for so many years. He never settled for anything other than the best. 
He was writing and illustrating a book all about drumming, and it was in the final editing stage. He was co-authoring the book with one of his good friends.  That book will now be dedicated to him.
We had such a large age difference that I didn't know him too well. By the time I was a toddler, he was off at college.  I wish I could have known him better.  But I know I will see him again someday.



Kirk Sharp
1956-2012

Back to my Collage roots :)

So I know I mentioned in a previous post that I was trying to get away from collage. sigh. Trying was the key word.  Truth is, I just can't. Its kinda where I began, and it runs thick in my blood. I have ALWAYS adored Randel Plowman's work and I recently picked up his book and it just inspired me to do it. After all, I have LOADS of ephemera and collage supplies. So I gotta use them, right? 
So in an effort to do art today I was drawn to collage.  Actually most stuff I do, even if its a miniscule piece, always has a collage twist.  I have not dug through my tub of ephemera and it was fun to pull it out and explore it once again. I was drawn to the flamingos-they screamed at me to be used today. I love pink flamingos and they have been on my mind alot lately as I have been seeing those pink plastic ones lately-you know, the ones you stick in your yard? My grandfather used to have some and I always as really crazy about them. In fact over the weekend I told my husband I wanted some :) LOL!!!!

5x7

Vintage papers, gouache, tissue, graphite and gesso on watercolor paper