Vintage Collage

"Victorian Ladies" Altered Album

2011-04-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

I replaced the badly damaged cover of this photo album with red and gold brocade fabric. Starting with some of my favorite vintage die cuts and trade cards, I added flower, bird, and butterfly images. Three-dimensional elements include transparencies, sewing notions, and fabric-store appliques.

"French Nudes" Altered Victorian Album

2011-04-13T06:20:00.000-07:00

This small album (5.5" x 8") has an art nouveau jewelry finding on its cover and is tied with a ribbon of seafoam-colored organza. Most of the images are not original, but are collage-sheet reproductions of French postcards. The theme is the tension between pleasure and inhibition: altered images of voluptuous ladies are interspersed with book pages about self-pollution and prostitution. Vintage postcards of famous monuments have "windows" which can be opened to show photographs of nudes with butterfly wings. Traditional Victorian beauties are juxtaposed with sensual models that are posed in similar fashion or draped with identical colors.

Framed Collage pieces: "Robin's Egg Blue" and "Marie"

2011-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

"Robin's Egg Blue" features an altered metal notepad, a tin bird shrine filled with broken eggshells, and vintage sewing notions.

"Marie" is a play on the duality between woman and Blessed Virgin. An off-set vintage mat frames a beautifully colored French lithograph. Vintage elements include lace handkerchief remnants, velvet rose applique, folding comb, miniature gold mesh purse, hatpins, mother-of-pearl belt buckle, and collection of religious medals.

"Pleasures of Her Life" Altered Victorian album

2011-04-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

The lovely woman on the cover of this Victorian album suggested its theme: experiences that fulfill a woman, such as travel, work, marriage, and hobbies. Many of the scrapbook papers are from the various Graphic 45 lines. I enjoyed using vintage cabinet and candid photographs, as well as antique findings such as garter buckles, trade cards, and buttons.

VintAgeless: My Art Philosophy

2011-04-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

Altered art and collage art combine all my passions: collecting Victorian photo albums, vintage postcards/tradecards, and small antiques; crafting using scrapbooking, jewelry making, and rubber stamping techniques; and preserving family and holiday memories for the enjoyment of future generations.

Each altered Victorian photo album features a theme: birds, the ocean, French nudes, or natural history. The sturdy cardboard pages are covered with fresh paper and layered with hundreds of pieces of authentic vintage ephemera and collectibles. Using photographs and personal mementos, I can create a precious tribute to a loved one's life, profession, or hobby. I have transformed Victorian albums into unique decorations for Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine's Day, featuring vintage greeting cards and holiday trinkets.

I also create collage pieces using foam board covered with fabric remnants and vintage trims. A colorful French lithograph or an altered objet d'art is combined with costume jewelry and antique findings to express my personal artistic vision. Usually, my pieces are framed without glass so that their unique texture and function can be touched and explored.

As you view my images for inspiration and enjoyment, please respect the fact that each work of art is copyrighted. I would love to know what you think and network with like-minded creative people. Or perhaps we could discuss how I can design a one-of-a-kind Victorian album or collage piece just for you!