There’s Something Wrong

There’s Something Wrong This original artwork is a 3 3/4” by 6” patchwork collage on a 5” x 7” foundation paper - Unframed From the Fragments Collection. The inspiration for these pieces came to me after noticing the beauty in the left-overs of a project that would normally have been discarded, and the thought of using these fragments for a larger purpose. Soon after the idea began to form I visited an Amish community, and was very much inspired by the quilts that were lovingly handmade and passed down through the generations. Likewise I’ve found inspiration in the works of Marc Chagall, and the profound beauty of his stained glass windows, their fractured pieces that come together as a whole. Kintsugi, and the refitting together of a broken vessel into something even more exquisite, by highlighting its frailty and brokenness with gold, has always intrigued me. So this collection, made from fragments, is inspired by all of these things, and of course how can one not think of the words of the Lord Jesus after feeding the 5,000, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” John 6:12 This gathering and assembling of fragments has become somewhat of a therapeutic work for me. Each piece of delicate Kami is a miniature work of art. First I use colored pencils, charcoal, or graphite for rubbings, that subtly record the textures of various materials, a technique that is also known as frottage. Then, in the same fashion, I add curved lines that create shard-like shapes, then overlap those with more textures. Next I begin cutting out the fragments— usually squares, but sometimes rectangles— into smaller pieces. These pieces are usually 1” squares, but can be larger or smaller depending. They are then fit together in a structured way, some appearing more intentionally patterned, others more in a random state. Together they become a unified whole, occasionally symbolizing the different aspects of an individual soul or its journey, path or timeline. Other times representing multiple individuals and their connections to and interactions between one another.  I very much enjoy the entire process that goes into making each one of these pieces. I hope that you find these just as thought provoking and uniquely beautiful as I do.  Note: Because of the delicate nature of the paper itself, and the very subtle tones of rubbings that are layered on these small pieces of paper, it can be very difficult to capture these nuances with the camera. I do the best I can with what I have, but you will have to see for yourself how much more detailed and complex these are in person.