I grew up with a mom who approached her “look” each day as art. She wasn’t conceptual about it, but rather she lived the act of putting together various found objects (from her closet and elsewhere) as a way to get dressed in the morning. She never failed to brighten things up with her daring color combos and surprising dashes of nature (like a Zinnia blossom pinned to her sweater). And, wow, could she rock a hat. And lipstick! To her, color was everything. She’s still this way; we could call her a most excellent collage, herself.
Back then, there wasn’t the buzz around consignment shopping that there is now, or the feeling of accomplishment at finding treasures in thrift stores. But there would be the occasional neighborhood yard sale or a church-basement fundraiser, and inevitably we’d grab a vintage scarf or some wildly colorful clip-on earrings or a necklace made of sea glass. And each addition to our relatively simple closets would bring things to life, as we’d match it up with something long dead. Fashion resurrection!
I love seeing the young ladies in my fave consignment shops, doing exactly what Mom did, and what she transmitted to me. Putting together unusual combinations and creating effects that are entirely original—it’s both recycling and art, and perhaps even an expression of activism, whether or not the activity is budget-driven.
I find myself bringing this ethos into my art, like when my dragonfly curtains fell apart, those dragonflies were vociferous that they be immortalized in a collage. So “Change Agent” was born, and it’ll remind me forever of my pal, CQ, who sweetly made those curtains for me when our house was new and the neighbors could see us in every possible life moment. Another birth: When I scoured through my scrap bag only to find an exquisite silk hankie with a shamrock, embroidered by my Irish great-grandmother. I got busy finding out about her life from Mom and my aunties, Pru and Abby. Turns out she was irrepressible. The piece, “Joanna Keene,” is infused with the mother lineage, rich with a good dose of courage and ambition.
Latest obsessions: Feathers, leaves, and favorite (threadbare) old shirts. A lively collage practice, indeed!
