July 31, 2009

Collage Comrade Column: Vivienne Strauss

Dear Vivienne,

Thank you so much for taking this opportunity to be featured on my blog. I am a pretty new collage artist therefore I always love to bump into another one especially with such an inspiring techniques, materials and concept. So, let’s start with the interview now shall we?

1. Please tell me a bit about yourself and how you are first finding collage as one f your creative expressions? I've always loved images and have always had a collection of them. I started out doing more of what is called decoupage where you apply the images to objects. I used to cover old hat boxes, then it moved to the doors and tables of my apartment. When I moved from there, it made me sad to leave all those images behind that I had collected so I chose to move to collage which I've been doing various forms of for about 10 years. I love the challenge of using old images in new and imaginative ways.

2. Tell me about your creative process in making a collage? Is there a specific ritual or just wait for the inspiration to come or any other way? I am a pretty restless person so sometimes when I want to relax with a movie but can't sit still, I will often cut out a bunch of images all at once. Sometimes the collages just naturally come together in this stage but often, the images just float around in my head until I decide how to use them. One of my favorite pieces I've done, I came up with the idea one night when I woke up at 3 a.m. and could not fall back asleep. I decided to just lie there and think about all the images I had cut out that I could remember and it just fell into place and I finished it the next day. I've learned my lesson though, you can't really force inspiration. On those days, focus on the process of cutting out.

3. What kind of materials that you have been using or even try out after all these time? How many of them is actually works and are there any failures? I like to work with almost all vintage images from old magazines and books and apply mod podge matte medium with a small paintbrush. Some people use glue sticks but that has never worked for me. I've tried combining painting with collage but so far that hasn't worked out the way I would like it to. I haven't given up the idea completely though.

4. Apart from making collages, are there any other craftworks that you make? I paint almost every day. Other things I've tried, I'm terrible at sewing! I like doing some embroidery but actual sewing is awful for me.

5. Now, Let's talk about selling the craftworks. Does it take a long time for you to decide that you can sell your collages or even actually live out of it? My collages don't sell nearly at the rate of my paintings. I don't know if people don't respect collage as much as painting, some people think it is "cheating" because you are using images created by others. There are collage artists out there that make things that people can "use" like cards, jewelry and things like that and they are very successful at selling them.

6. I notice that several collage artists are also into making and selling kits and organize workshops. I love doing workshops and hoping to have more next year. How about you? I don't think I would ever do that, I like working alone and can't imagine "teaching" someone to collage, it is such a personal thing. As far as collage kits go, if I had that kind of time, I would prefer to get my own supplies more organized, they are a mess!

7. Have you done any exhibitions? Would you like to tell us what was it like? I have an exhibit coming up in February of 2009 in Manchester, United Kingdom. I'll be showing with several other collage artists, all my work for that exhibit is of my lingerie collages. Unfortunately it is very far away and I won't be able to attend but will get to see photos once it is up.

8. I've notice also that there are so many medium where we can put our collages in apart just make them into wall-hanging or ACEO. How about you? What kind of medium that you've used or plan to use for your collages. I do all my work on paper that can be framed.

9. What do you like most about making collages? Is there anything that you don't like about it? I love sorting through and looking at all the old magazines and giving them new life. I guess the only thing I don't like about it is, I haven't been able to organize it as much as I'd like to, it can be a very messy medium to work in!

10. Any last words? And please share us your email, shop, gallery or anything that you would like to share with us.Even though collage hasn't been a great money maker, I'll probably always continue to do it. My etsy shop for collage is www.viviennestrauss.etsy.com and my blog is www.vivienneart.blogspot.com

July 30, 2009

me and you: a give away time!

This is my Paperie Pose series. It's a small series of three pieces.
Therefore I will need THREE WINNERS for each of them.
Each winner will get an A4 size art print PLUS a blank card with the
same piece on the print. Awesomeness!

Just leave a message and tell me what do you like most about
a dress compares to a pant. Because as a mostly-wear-dresses-
person, this question has been thrown at me so many times:)

PS: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=62731

July 29, 2009

me and collages : Headless Songstress CD

One of the most amazingly talented best friend of mine, Tika,
just launched her second album after five years. This long
awaited album means so much to me in so many ways.
Not only I wrote one song in it but also my collages are in the
CD covers and sleeves!

But the best part of this CD is how beautifully packaged it is!
It's in a form of a note book inside a floral fabric pouch.
Way pretty. I'm so so happy to be involve on this gorgeous
piece of art. Congratulations, Tika! Thank you so much!

More of her music at www.suaratika.com and
you could see some of my collages in it too:)

July 27, 2009

me and collages : a collective art book project

Some of my extremely talented friends from a band
called White Shoes and the Couples Company has
this awesome project in order to launch their new
single for the incoming new album this year.
They invite ten of their friends to make a visual
intrepretation of the lyric from that single and publish
it in a book that will be pack together with the CD.
Sweet, right?

Therefore I'm so happy when they invite me to
join on this book. The lyrics itself is about how
people from all over Indonesia come to Jakarta
to get a better life although they know how hard
life is in our capital city. The material should be
in black and white in A5 size. I made three pieces.
What do you think?

July 26, 2009

Sunny Sunday

These colors and pattern is so perfectly right in
describing my sunday morning. Almost no sun actually
because we had a big rain last night but I'm so ready to
be so busy today that I feel like those flaming scissors
on one of my piece. Oh let's rock'n roll, baby!

Anyway, so many gorgeous projects to share for
next week that I have just completed. Till then,
have a sexy Sunday, peeps! Hugs!

July 23, 2009

me and work : outdoor shoot is good

I had one amazing location for a commercial shoot today.
It takes place on a house belongs to this family that owns
a golf and country club outside Jakarta. The house is really
interestingly decorated and the garden where we used it
for the shoot is just so beautiful.

July 21, 2009

me and collages : three new pieces!

These are what I have been working on last weekend.
I'm pretty excited with the results since I've been having
several custom orders to finished too. They all will be
available at my etsy as art prints and cards from today.
Hope you love them as much as I do, peeps! Hugs!

Trade Tuesday : theriveriseverywhere

I met her from etsy chat and we both find ourselves
instantly in love with each other shop that we agreed
on doing a swap. Her moustache bandana is what I
love most although I love her polaroid necklace too.

I believe that's her in those bandanas, looking awesome
and all. And I promised her to send my picture with
that blue bandana on the first picture. Check out her
sure you will love them as much as me.Thank you so
much for the swap! Yay!

July 20, 2009

me and books: wee willie winkie

Another gem I found at Jakarta Book Fair last month.
Wee Willie Winkie and other boys and girls from mother
goose. Gorgeous illustration by Berta and Elmer Hader.
I am so glad I went to the fair and found so many
stunning children books! Yay!

July 19, 2009

(Uneasy) Sunny Sunday

This Sunday is so tiring and make me uneasy that I
decide no pictures of that day that good enough to be
shared here. I've been experiencing sprained muscle
in my right hip since the night before too that made
me feel almost paralized the whole day. Just miserable!

While my plan was to start making several custom
order pieces, learning to make pom poms and also
making more pin cushions. None of them happened
except one new piece for christmas card. Oh how sad!
I hope your Sunday is much better than mine. Hugs.

July 18, 2009

me and cakes : birthday cupcakes

Today I had one of the most terrible Friday ever.
There's a bombing accidents at 8 AM near my office,
I have to work until really really late and missed my
lover's performance later on tonight. Darn!

Well, at least I had these THREE yummy cupcakes
thanks to those two succulent ladies from Landor.
They surely cheered me up a bit. Thank you Alex!
Thank you, Nilam! Happy Yellow Birthday!

July 17, 2009

me and blog: a new column every Saturday!

I believe scissor is one of our favorite tool as artists and crafters.
Heck, I couldn't even imagine living without it! Right?
So, starting next Saturday I will have a new column called
Scissor Saturday, where I will show my fave scissor and a story
about it. And of course I invite you all to join me! Yay!

Just send me pretty pictures on your fave scissors and
stories on them either when you bought it or all those intimate
moments the two of you shared after all these times.
Anything. And of course there will be a special something
for you that joins! Oh this is exciting!

July 16, 2009

me and sellers: plastic plushies

In Jakarta, I love that I still seeing a street toy vendor
like this one walking around my house area. It's usually
a man who builds a display made of wood and some rattan
sticks to put all those balloons plushies, paper toys and other
toy goodies that either they make it themselves or bought
from someone else in a few amount.

I certainly hope this kind of toy sellers still be around for
sometime because I just love their paper crafts and those
small balls in bold colors. They always reminds me of my
childhood years.

July 14, 2009

me and my etsy : Christmas In July Sale!

These and the other six of them are on my Christmas In July
Sale
section in my shoppe. For every purchase of these cards
you will get a free shipping. Only from 8 - 22 July 2009.
Yes, I know I should have told you guys earlier. Anyway,
there are still nine days left right? So, go check them out!

Have a wonderful early christmas shopping, peeps!

Trade Tuesday : Our Little Love Nest

I met Dee from http://www.ourlittlelovenest.etsy.com/
when we were commenting on of my friend's blog. Since
we have been convoing (is there such a term?) each other
through etsy and one day decide to have an art print swap.

What I love about Dee apart from her craftworks, is how
inspiring she is as a mother to four of her children. From
that she has the kind of 'happy mommy aura' that I adore.

That first piece there is mine now and I am so glad we met.
Dee, thank you for our swap. Thank you for being you.
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