Mindful of small pleasures,
Gave thanks for life’s treasures.
Thankful Ode (to Merz)
holiday collage by J A Dixon
13 x 15 inches
available for purchase
“Say thank you in advance for what is already yours.”
— Denzel Washington
As the holiday nears, gratitude is in the hearts of all who silently look inside and attune, especially those with circumstances in flux between sweetness and sorrow — for those of us less tempted to take things for granted — as a tide of adversity and bounty reminds us that thankfulness must be present in the midst of both suffering and grace.
A long practice of making crafted cards for others, the wellspring of my concentration on the art of collage, occasionally sparks an unexpected commission based, more often than not, on the traditional photo montage. These works may not be destined for a museum, but the response makes them a most rewarding experience, as I participate vicariously in an apex of family joy. The type of “legacy collage” featured below is an ideal gift because it is highly meaningful to the recipient, of course, but everyone also relates to the inherent “cut and paste” technique, accessible to all, with its deep heritage in the domestic and applied arts.
Bouquet of Memories
legacy collage by J A Dixon
11 x 14 inches
Sparkle Someone Else
collage miniature by J A Dixon
7 x 8.25 inches
a salute to the 75th birthday of Burton Cummings
The “Holiday Market” at Art Center of the Bluegrass is in full swing! Fourteen of my collage miniatures are available and priced for gift giving. I enjoyed designing and making a new rack to display collage art from a few pieces of fine walnut that were kicking around in our box of scrap wood (for what seems like forever).
Happy Thanksgiving to everybody!
Holiday therapy, aesthetic exercise, creative ritual, intuitive workout, craft drill, thematic meditation — call it whatever we want. It’s that season to make and send tree miniatures to those we treasure.
Have a Merry-Merry, everybody!
Four Tree Miniatures for Christmas
collage greeting cards by J A Dixon
“And if my own children
should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes
and the old goes away,
I’d ask of them nothing
that I didn’t do.
Love both of your Mothers
as both have loved you.”
— Joann Snow Duncanson
Happy Happy to all the mothers on their day of honor!
The two 10x10s I posted yesterday on Instagram are my salute to World Collage Day, an international event contrived to celebrate and boost participation in the medium. The ingredients were generously sent to me by members of the Arizona Collage Collective. Using elements not personally selected was a rewarding exercise — an opportunity to better understand the distinction between my process of spontaneous composition and choosing qualities in the subject matter itself. For those who enjoy seeing my newest work, follow “thecollageminiaturist” at Instagram, too.
When You’re Going through Hell
collage on structured panel by J A Dixon
10 x 10 x 1.5 inches, unframed
available for purchase
When the Going Gets Tough
collage on structured panel by J A Dixon
10 x 10 x 1.5 inches, unframed
available for purchase