I am a Collector.

And, I'm sure many of you could also classify yourselves as a "Collector" of something.

My collecting vice lies within the realm of vintage goods. Since I live in the Mid-West, I have the opportunity to enjoy a plethora of flea markets and antique malls. Even in the tiniest towns, where there might only be a single gas station and local hardward store, you are still likely to find someone selling antiques.

Visiting a good flea market or antique store can be a rewarding treasure hunt. Although I may shop the same place at different times during the year, I am not always looking for the same objects. My treasure hunts revolve around the art I am creating at a particular moment, such as, searching for the perfect old photo to use as a background or an image transfer. Perhaps, I am working on a fiber artwork that needs that special touch of vintage lace or ric rac.

There are, however, a couple of treasures that I am always on the look out for, old photo albums and anything with handwritting. If you have read the profile section of my website, you will know that items with handwritting fascinate me. I am simply amazed that words on a page can have such beautiful textural qualities. And when I read those words, I can imagine who the writer was, and who those words were about or meant for.

But when I find a vintage photo album, I see something different. I feel as if I am looking through a window into another world. It's like holding a snowglobe and viewing a tiny scene, but without the snow. Often times when you find an old album, you are likely to find the entire thing void of any pictures. The reason for this being that most antique sellers know they can make a bigger profit by selling the album and the contents separately. However, I am not detered by blank pages, this is an opportunity for me to create my own scene.

The image you see below is just one of my vintage dioramas. A collaged scene fills the tiny 2" x 3" album page window. This landscape is highlighted with a piece of vintage lace to create a foreground. The background contains pieces of old sheet music, along with glittery stars woven into a sheer fabric to cast the feeling of an approaching twilight .


But WAIT! There is a surprise, if you turn this album page over, you will find a bit of poetry describing our scene. This particular verse reads,


"do you remember
when the evening sky
said goodbye to the sun

and welcomed
the stars, your dreams,
and thoughts of home"



Dearest reader, do you.... remember?

*(If you are interested in purchasing the above artwork,
you will find it for sale at The Red Door Studio Shop)

You might have noticed....

by checking out my first blog post, seeing my blog banner, and browsing my website that I have an affinity for using houses in my art. Well, dear friends, it is more than an attraction to houses. I am truly INSPIRED by the subject of home!

During school, professors encouraged us to dig down DEEP, to find that one subject that moved our soul to make art. I think (secretly) they hoped we would channel all of our angst as young struggling artists into some dark foreboding masterpiece. Although I tried to dig deep, I always ended up painting pretty flower pictures. Please don't misunderstand, I still enjoy rendering beautiful botanicals, and have several works (both old and new) that I proudly hang on my walls. But flowers did not INSPIRE ME, at least not like the subject of home.

So when did I know that "Home" was this GREAT inspiration? Some of you might wonder if divine guidance occurred due to the planets and stars being in alignment, or perhaps I might have been hit by a stray lightning bolt. To which my reply would be "No"... to both of these guesses.

In fact, my first awareness did not come from some mystical cosmic force or a freak of nature. The first realization I ever had about this subject actually occurred during an evening in the Art Asylum at Artfest 2002. The small 5x5 collage you see at the top of this post is my very first house picture. This piece happened as a result of freeing my mind and allowing myself to just play.

It would be three more years of searching before the subject of home would surface again. Why did it take so long, you might ask? Well, I wish I had a very clear cut answer for this question. But, alas, my real answer is... "I don't know". If I had to make an educated guess, I would suspect I had never stopped long enough to realize that the subjects that TRULY inspire me are the things which are part of my everyday life. I am enlightened by the people, animals, places, events, and particular objects that bring me joy, strength, love, and happiness. Those are my true bliss....my true reason for creating art!


***(For those that might not know, Artfest is a magnificent gathering of like minds and hearts, hosted by Teesha and Tracy Moore. I encourage you to check it out at www.teeshamoore.com)

Hello Dear Friends....

I am so glad you have stopped by! WELCOME to
The Red Door Studio blog. I hope you will visit often
as I write about my artistic journey.

I am very very lucky to say that I am a full time Artist.
Although, I spent many years as a computer analyst, I decided
to pursue my dream of having a life immersed in art and
creativity when the company I was working for, Pizza Hut, Inc.,
decided to move their corporate office from the city where
I live to a completely different state.

Today, I work as a Product Designer/Illustrator creating
mass market products. And, I am excited to say that a
number of my designs have sold in retail stores such as
Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Lowes, BJs, and Walgreen Drugs.

But when I am not illustrating retail product, I spend my
time creating collage art. Paint, fibers, pen and ink, along
with vintage ephemera are just some of the mixed media
elements used in my collage work.

I have also found that a very important part of being an artist
is sharing my work with others. Whether I am selling products
at a discount store, showing my art in a gallery or show, teaching
new techniques to fellow artists, or talking about art with friends,
clients, and family, sharing is a way for me to continue to revel in
this creative life.

Now, I am a blogger, too!