March 10, 2009

What a collage!






Dear Kim,

First I would like to tell you how inspiring your collage and stitch pieces are to me and I would love to hear your stories on them and also your own collage making process. Let's start with the questions, shall we?

1. I used to know collage when I start making zines, therefore my understanding of collage is like a paper art. But then as time goes by I notice that apart from paper there are many other material we can use. How about you and collage in general, how did you start? I sort of just slowly figured collage out on my own I think. I'm one of those people that can't stick to just one thing when it comes to art. I love variety and collage allows me to mix so many different materials together. I paint, draw, embroider and have always had a knack for pretty arrangements so mixing these things together came naturally to me.

2. So when you start to combine thread and paper together in making a collage? Are there many trial and error first before you nail them? Yes and no. I never ever plan anything before I start a piece. Everything that I make is nothing but a happy accident so really there are no real errors. Plus because collage often involves layering I can always just place a piece of paper or whatever over anything I don't like :)

3. One most awesome part about your collages to me is actually the usage of old envelopes and postcards. Those are definitely such a pretty paperie but at the same time because of the age they are pretty fragile too, right? How do you deal with this so that it won't rip while you sew on them? I find that the best way to prevent tears in the paper is to only sew as much as you really have to. I do most of my embroidery on a piece of fabric in an embroidery hoop before I get to the paper part of it all. Once I have the embroidery done I cut any excess fabric off and then stitch the embroidered fabric onto the postcard or envelope like a little patch. One thing I always need to remember when stitching on paper is to keep the holes as far apart as possible otherwise tears are far more likely.

4. Apart from paper and thread, are there any other materials that you've tried and how do they go? I like using fabric, buttons, and all sorts of different types of papers. Cardboard can be fun to work with and I love to cut up old doilies and sew the bits onto things. Then there's my acrylic paintings and pen sketches, those often find their way onto my collages as well! I'm always looking for something new and unique to add to my collages. Being unique is incredibly important to me. I never want to be like anyone else.

5. Is there any special tips that you would like to share if someone would like to make one too? Yes! There are so many! I'm very pasionate about art and love to share! First off, don't feel badly about using something incredibly old in your art! Some people have a hard time dismantaling old books, cutting up doilies or using old photos. The way I look at it is that you're just turning it into something someone is going to love and appreciate and probably look at on a regular basis. Collage is alot like a museum for each and every scrap of paper, fabric or whatever else you add to it. That and always use a good glue :) I use 'Aleene's Original Tacky Glue'.

6. Anything else that you would like to share with us like your shop, online gallery, flickr, etc? You can see most of my stuff (at least everything that is online) on my Flickr account : www.flickr.com/photos/10382063@N05/
and of course my Etsy shop : www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5369070

Thank you so much, Kim!

For sharing all these and being so inspiring,

Vantiani

6 comments:

WhimsyBel said...

What beautiful work! I love it and am going to follow your page. Great job!
Bel@thewashhousestudio on etsy.com

ninainvorm said...

First of all: finally I'm able to log in and comment on your blog! I used to have these troubles logging into a google/blogger account, but now I finally succeeded...
I wanted to tell you that I really enjoy your collage posts/interviews a lot, and you've already introduced me to a lot of inspiring new artists. Keep up the good work!
I hope you're ok!

cheers, Nina

aimee said...

love the stitching on the paper - very cool!

vantiani said...

Wow! Good morning, ladies!
Thank you so much for making this one sleepy red gemini really happy today:)

Hugs,

Vantiani.

Janny said...

Gorgeous work!

Anastasia said...

i love these!! well done!

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