Inspiration can strike anywhere. An old acquaintance's Facebook post caught my eye. She was elegantly dressed to catch a train to party in New York. While lamenting the fact that my middle age life did not include such excitement I asked her if I could "appropriate" the photo as inspiration for a collage. She graciously gave permission. (While it is not illegal to 'borrow' photos in the public domain, I feel it, it is only proper to ask to use someone's image or take their photo.)
A lovely family came in and bought not one, but TWO of my pieces. I was thrilled and jestingly asked if they would send me a photo of my art in their new home as I like to see where they land. Not long after - I received this from John.
We like your work very much. When did you make it? This year?
When I first saw your collage I liked it a lot because I saw a rare young woman I thought I recognized -- one with a defined sense of personal style that was somewhat daring confident and casual. I went back to see how you'd made it and liked it even more because what I'd first taken to be carefully drawn and painted, actually seemed to be brilliantly dyed draped and stitched! I admired the intensity you captured in your friend. And I think your medium of collage is so apt simple and surprisingly evocative of flesh blood and spirit. It pops with life and I love looking at it.
...
Sure you can use the photo. You're pretty good to make me see your friend the way you see her. She sounds like a special person. John
You are too, John. You are too.
PS- Blogger & artist Seth Apter is running a "Living with Art" series one his blog right now. A corner of my living room is lucky enough to be featured in an upcoming edition. Stay tuned!
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