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Biography: |
I first became interested in the art of collage while working on my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at New Mexico State University. While generally being viewed as a study tool to better understand the painting process, collage became my preferred medium. With collage, an artist is not bound by the rules & guidelines that one may experience when working with another medium.
I base the majority of my works on photographs that I have taken & studies that I have done of buildings, landscapes & landmarks located throughout New Mexico & the Southwest. After selecting a composition for the piece I prepare the support with a sketch of the subject. I then use acrylic & watercolor to paint paper with the colors that I will need for the painting. I also select paper from periodicals that I feel will add detail or color to the finished work. I then, based on my original drawing, transfer each separate element to the color of paper I have prepared for the composition & cut the pieces of paper. As each piece is cut, I begin building the collage up from the background forward applying each piece of paper with acrylic gel medium. I will occasionally enhance certain elements on the paper once it has been applied if I am not satisfied with the way it works with the composition. This is done by applying paint or scraping it away. Each painting takes between one & two months to complete, depending on the size of the piece. The final result is a work of art art that I feel approaches the subject in a distinctively fresh & original manner.
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