A Variety of Inspired Collages, Inspired by A Variety of Collagers

Now that I’m ankle-deep in another collage course, it’s time to tip my hat and hand.  A keen art historian may peek at my past collage work (pictured above) and detect the influence of Henri Matisse, Romare Bearden and Jean-Michel Basquiat. A keener art historian, living in the Baltimore area, would recognize the influence of contemporary artist, Matt Bovie.

I have been attracted to, and inspired by, Bovie’s work for many years for it’s strong iconography, bold palette, harmonic compositions and primitive sincerity. Although the work is modern, it seems to encapsulate a mythology spanning generations.

Bovie shows and sells his work in Baltimore but doesn’t exhibit or market his art online. Perhaps that relative digital reclusiveness adds to the allure. I am aware of his work only due to a chain of coincidental acquaintances. Although we’ve never met, I peer at his occasional art-related albums on Facebook and admire from afar.

If you’d like to learn more about the work of Matt Bovie, wander the streets of Baltimore and hope you run into him.

Selected Works by Matt Bovie

Ink on Paper • 5″x8″ • Private Collection

Today, I embarked upon a weeklong University of the Arts graduate class, focusing on image and text elements in collage. Part of the embarkation (it’s a word, look it up)  involves reflecting on why we chose to take the course and what we hope to gain. Reflection initiated:

WHY?
Although I make things all year long, it’s nice to have a cluster of time specifically devoted to art production. The reason I chose this class, in particular, is threefold.

Last summer, I took a collage class with Dan Schank at the university. I very much enjoyed the course and was anxious to return to the paste well. I’ve also recently been focusing on writing morsels of nonsense as a contributor to WitStream via Twitter, so I thought this might be a nice opportunity to blend the two outlets. Finally, the course’s emphasis on book manipulation parallels a longtime interest and 2007 show titled Withdrawn.

WHAT?
When the scraps settle, I hope to produce a coherent collection of new pieces that pushes my work in new directions. As always, I want to enjoy making things and I want people to enjoy the things that I make. I also hope to talk/debate about art production, consumption and education with fellow art teachers. Finally, I hope to find some money on the ground.

Computer Embellished Drawing

A misquoted lyric from a mistitled titled song, mistakenly misillustrated by me.

Computer Embellished Drawing

@yoyoha has sketched scores or twitter avatars. I scribbled his as a scant attempt to settle the score.

Acrylic on Cement Board • 48″x48″ • Main Line, Philadelphia

I put a large piece of cement board on the curb but the garbage men wouldn’t take it. I put a CURB ALERT on Craigslist but the hoarders wouldn’t take it. I put a painting on the cement board, it was gone within an hour.

Now I’m designing a tattoo for my wife. (Rimshot.)

Acrylic on Paper • 30′x8′ • Free to a Good Home

In the fall of 2009, our pals at Primer Gallery hosted an art event titled Nightline. During the opening reception, I painted a GIANT paper mural. If you have a GIANT yearning for art and a GIANT empty wall but a tiny budget… drop me a line.

Acrylic & Paint Marker on Electric Guitar • Private Collection

When I was your age, we didn’t have art teachers who would draw cactus creatures all over our electric guitars.

Tile & Found Object Mosaic • 12′x12′ • Private Collection

I’m gearing up for next school year’s Isaiah Zagar mosaic mural project by gluing and grouting everything I can get my hands on.

Acrylic & Paint Marker on Acoustic Guitar • Private Collection

Come on, get happy.

Acrylic & Paint Marker on Electric Guitar • Private Collection

Any resemblance to the work of a frozen animator is purely coincidental.