Stormy Weather

"Nor'easter", 30" x 40", oil on canvas with found objects.
© Deborah Jaouen 2010

Only fitting that objects that got washed around in the North Atlantic should end up as part of a piece called "Nor'easter", just a nautical sounding name for a storm driven by a northeast wind. We get them too in Virginia, but for me the name evokes New England, which is where I found all these now attached pieces.

Intriguing and Incongruous Property

We spent the morning tromping around an estate that was up for auction. It's a former horse farm on a lot of land.

We live in an area with lots of waterfront estates, however this is the first time I've ever visted one with Roman statuary attached to the roof.

As we got closer, we were treated to the Full Blown Glory that was Rome! However, the exterior of the house resembled an 80's tract home in California, right before the McMansion period.

This is the entrance to the property, it looks more like the traditional fare you usually see around here on the rivers off the Chesapeake Bay.

Inside the house, over-the-top'ism prevailed. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera so all the photos here came from the auction site, and they didn't take many of the house's interior. This mural is from the powder room--seemed like a great house for parties.

One of several living room murals complete with tromp l'oeil columns.

This was actually my favorite room, it felt almost classic with its crown moldings and arched windows. It was empty when I saw it and you could really appreciate the M.C. Escher-esque feel of the parquet, which fascinated us with its visible (on purpose?) nail holes. We couldn't figure out if the owners had done the murals and woodwork themselves. There is a boat load of work to be done, but someone with flair and lotsa money could make a great retreat here. Oh and the place is still for sale.

More Art I Like

Jason Rohlf, Pliable, Acrylic/Collage on Linen 40x30 in

Jason Rohlf, Ask Again, Acrylic/Collage on Linen 30x72 in

Jason Rohlf, Shifted, Acrylic/Collage on Linen 24x72 in

Jason Rohlf, Hold, Acrylic/Collage on Linen 16x34 in

These distressed textures are so enticing! And I never could resist a random bird... More works by San Francisco artist Jason Rohlf here.

Art You Might Like (I Do)

JAMES PITT, The Holder, acrylic on wood, 5" x 5", 2009

JAMES PITT, Object to Capture the Sun, acrylic on cardboard and wood, 5" x 4", 2009

James Pitt, The Shaker (Pink and Blue) acrylic, plaster and zip ties on cardboard, 8" x 5", 2009

JAMES PITT, Canary, acrylic and plaster on cardboard, 5" x 4", 2009

See more here.

Where Am I Going?

via artemis dreaming

Finally--a little reflective time for blogging. Getting photos together today just seemed like too much effort after doing that constantly for other sites, like etsy and facebook (we won't count tumblr, because that's fun), so I might go with a little rant about my art goals (hopefully this advance notice won't be your signal to click out of here!).

I've been noticing that my attitude towards art has been changing over the past months--I've really become conscious that my output has slowed pretty radically. When I say slowed, I mean it often takes me weeks to advance to the next phase of the piece I'm working on because I'm searching for exactly what I'm trying to say or even why express it, which is an even thornier issue.

Four or five years ago when I was pretty much painting full time, I was very productive and the images felt like they were already finished in my head, that I just had to get them down on canvas. That's probably normal as they were part of an autobiographical series. Next I started making a series of canvas collages, which demanded a lot of thought about placement and just what they needed next. After that came assemblages and sculptural paper pieces. It's the collaged works that seem to stymie me, but they're also the ones I keep coming back to, even as I try to break with 2D and move completely on to 3D. So what I'm going to do for the next few weeks is finish up what's already started in my studio then re-evaluate the direction I want to take my work in 2011.

I'm not sure if this is a creative block, I've had those before of course but they don't usually last this long! I've managed to keep creating through this but it's not going away. So now I'm thinking it's got to be a turning point and hoping to gain some clarity on what's coming next by stepping away from it all for a time. This might mean blogging more, or working on the house, or (gasp) writing. There, I've set my intention-- that's step one. Stay tuned!

Tumblr (again)

Here's an image from my tumblr page. See how they did it here.

Blog Roll Call

New in my Etsy shop, "Pannier du Jardin" papier maché mixed media jewelry box

I've been taking stock of my blog, after seven or so months of writing it. I'm enjoying blogging and have met some great blog friends. People have told me they enjoy reading Collage Whirl, which is obviously so gratifying to me. I also know I have a certain number of readers and followers which inspires me to continue--that being said, I would really love more readers which would also bring a lot of new energy to this whole enterprise!

If you like this blog (and --my secret fear--aren't ashamed for other people to know you read it! ), please add me to your blog roll. If you already have (thank you Paula) could you please let me know about your blog so I can glory in my unbeknownst popularity?

And while you're at it, a comment from time to time wouldn't kill ya!! jk, jk