Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Fellini Rose and February Adieux
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Valentine and a Bernie
Friday, January 15, 2021
Two Crows and an Octopus walk into a bar
Ok. I couldn't resist the title - and why should I?? But we do have crows and octopi. These are my last collages [except for cards] of 2020. Not particularly end-of-year significant, but just a bit.
Crows are my totem, an energy that brings me to closer connection with the 'other' in the world, to more than you can see, to sensing awareness, the interconnection of things.
I find that Crows often emerge in my work when I am feeling overwhelmed, in over my head, too much to bear and they bring with them a integrating effect. Some collages carry a specific story, others do not.
Two Crows stands as a symbol of Crow energy. She carries symbols, some personal to me, others not. She stands tall and strong.
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Two Crows |
Crows Don't Fly At Night emerged from a dream message. I was lying awake in the middle of the night, thinking about things I needed to do, manage, handle. I heard the message 'Crows don't fly at night', which I took as a reminder that I couldn't actually take any action in the middle of the night about the things I was ruminating over; to let it go, no flying at night.
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Crows Don't Fly At Night |
Some time ago my son had an affection for Octopi and I began using them in cards and collages for him, but along the way, I adopted Octopi as my own totem. They are smart, clever, strong animals who adapt to their environment in amazing ways. And I like to see them in settings where they are incongruous.
Retro Octo Girls is just a fun, optimistic collage. It began as 'anonymous content' collage - no specific theme - when I found the Retro woman on the left. Other elements caught my eye and then Ocotpi became the cohesive element.
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Retro Octo Girls |
Friday, October 30, 2020
Halloween, Hallows, Day of the Dead
Hidden Realms, the Veil Between Worlds, Magick and Mystery, Celebrating Loved Ones Gone. Embrace the Moon. Listen to the Earth. Invite the Others. This is that time of the year.
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Michael @ Hallows collage | |
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Day of the Dead - Mi Dio de los Muretos collage | |
For Anthony & Rose, Elizabeth, Julia C, Peter, Helen, Martha,
Oscar, Christian, Dave, Pat, Jerry, Julia H and Jim
Hallows Past...
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Frida at Hallows collage |
Bad Dolly Trick or Treat collage
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I Still Repeat the Things You Said collage |
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All Halloweend collage |
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The Darkling Series continues
These Tarot-like images have been coming to me for awhile now. I like how they 'pop' into my head and how they morph as I work on them. Their names and titles arrive whole or evolve. And I know there are fuller 'stories' behind them, but they've not really emerged. But people do share with me the stories they see in the images. I like the sense of communication that seems enmeshed with them.
In that vein, this collage was inspired by Alice. After I shared the Darklings Series post on Facebook, Alice asked 'Will one of your Darklings be a Keeper of the Crossroads? Crossroads are places of great magic.' Her comment really spoke to me.
Our strong Guardian is accompanied by Feline, Canine and Crow energy at the Crossroad. Georgia O'Keeffe holds open a portal to Otherwhere.
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Guardian of the Crossroads - Darkling Series |
This first came to me as Compassion and Strength, but then I had a dream of Redwood trees and the particular strength of Endurance arose.
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Compassion & Endurance collage - Darkling Series |
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
The Darkling Series
The first images came to me while I was watching the Victorian gothic mysterious Penny Dreadful series. I dreamt of dark gowns and then as I began some image searches, the sense that these gowned ladies were holders of energy, held in their symbols and totems came to me.
After I collected some 'dark gowns', the first totem arose - the Bat. The Bat, so often symbol of the night and mysterious. But more so a being of extraordinary perception of direction. So the 'dark' totems became more expansive. As you will see many totem animals arose -Crow, Spider, Snake, Octopi, Lion and in the 'Clan Guardians' - we see Wolf, Panther, Eagle and Bear.
I have been working on these Darklings for several months now. Some came in quick succession. Others had a waiting time. A friend likened them to the images on Tarot cards and they do seem to echo those symbolic archetypal images. Tarot has accompanying interpretations and here the collage titles serves that role; so if you were to draw 'Minon, Knower of Direction', she could lead you to contemplate, query and associate to direction - needing it, finding it, knowing it is there and so on.
Some of the images offered the main character's name first, the quality being expressed secondly. Others came without a 'name' and only the quality and I have named the images accordingly. Each name came with it's own spelling - some of which are not 'actual' names or spellings; and in one a friend told me the meaning of the name. So as you can see, this series has been an interesting intuitive and 'allowing' process for me. I am not sure the Darklings are complete, but decided to share these seven today.
In that, I decided to google the meaning of today's date, August 11, and found this: August 11th is the day of validation. Individuals born on August 11th express a strong desire to reveal the truth. They also have a predisposition to the dark side of life and places that others are not used to.
Don't you just love it when the Multiverse seems to be communicating with you? I do.
Minon - Knower of Directions ~ Darkling Series
Arane' - Mistress of Webs of Interconnection ~ Darkling Series
Keepers of the Unconscious ~ Darkling Series
Corvidae - She Who Remembers ~ Darkling Series
Oralia - Embracer of Change & Adaptability ~ Darkling Series
Clan Guardians ~ Darkling Series
Monday, July 20, 2020
Ups and Downs and All Around
Some collages emerge because an image catches your eye. Some are fun. Others are a place to sort out your feelings. Still others are a nod to a friend.
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Tres Street Ladies - from Julia Chou Mural |
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Insurmountable |
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Pink Bette |
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Many Clans for Steve Two Hawk |
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Orange Crush Caddy |
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Auto Dogs for Jess |
TTFN.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
When Nothing is Certain, Everything is Possible
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When Nothing is Certain - Everything is possible |
and the dimensional version with embellished frame
Friends of mine are creating these days as well. I love this reminder from SVAC - Shenandoah Valley Art Center, of which I am a member.
Check out our current Members Exhibit.
I contributed my Covid 19 pieces and this, Frida Kali Kwan Yin
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Frida Kali Kwan Yin |
My dear friend Deb Booth at Different Light Studio found roosters calling to be quilled. Check out the detailed shots of the quilling.
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Cock of the Walk by Deb Booth - Quilling |
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Black Rooster by Deb Booth - Quilling |
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Quilling detail |
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Quilling Detail |
My HeartDaughter Mimi is an amazing craftsperson. Knitting, quilts, lace, crochet and whatever else catches her fancy.
These magical birds were my birthday gift. The pattern echoes Mexican designs.
And a too cute Snow Bird for her friend Margaret.

Quilt in progress
So create! Make Art. Wash your hands.
Take care. Stay safe. Be safe for others.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Covid 19 Heroes redux
These are small offerings of remembrance, honoring, sharing heart.
Take care. Stay safe.
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Instagram - Covid 19 Heroes
Well, life has truly changed for all of us. My last post was filled with collage from my Winter Travel. Now travel is far from my mind, far from a possibility. And although there is open time for art, a 'having to stay at home and wondering what's next' ennui stymied a creative flow.
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Kious Jordan Kelly, NYC |
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Anthony Fauci |
So I now have an Instagram account.
Please meet up with me there @ https://www.instagram.com/altered.e.art/
These portraits are my first Instagram post. I still like what is now 'old school' blogging but think Instagram might be a great place to share random collages, from the 'archives' as it were.
And with our new 'aloha' - Stay well. Stay safe.