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Digital Collage and Beyond, May 2009

I've been messing around with new ideas, materials, processes lately. I made a couple of digital collages which can be seen in the Gallery section under Digital.

Working digitally is fun, because there are so many ways to manipulate the images, and because it preserves the original images on paper. It's absorbing and amusing, but it also feels a bit too facile. Working with scissors, paper, and glue is a physical as well as a mental experience, and I like connecting with the materials and all their attendant potential disasters on the way to the end result of the process.

In the spirit of physical connection, then, I've taken up papier mache and have been experimenting with various materials, forms and techniques. It's playful, and I like that the finished product is completely created by my hands. I used to decoupage boxes I would buy at the craft store, but it's so much more satisfying to create the surface myself. I found the perfect papier mache paper in the craft room, super-pulpy slightly thicker reddish-pink stuff in which something delicate I bought had been wrapped. I'm running out, though, so it's time to start searching for more of it (I have no idea where it came from), or finding something similar.

I'll post some pictures of the new stuff when I take some. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my work!

Art Start at The Armory

One of my pieces, "blah blah blah blah blah" has been selected to hang in the inaugural show at The Center for Arts at The Armory in Somerville MA. I'm very excited to have been chosen to participate in this moment of Somervillie art history. The opening reception takes place on Friday, April 3, from 5-7pm. Hope you can make it! If you can't come to the opening, the exhibit will be up throughout the month of April.

Somerville Open Studios, January 2009

Check out my new Somerville Open Studios listing here.

Smaller is Better, June 2008

One of my pieces, "Birthright," has been selected as part of the Smaller is Better show, hosted by Experimental Art Gallery and Studio in Salem, MA. The show runs from June 6-26, and the opening reception takes place on Saturday, June 14 from 4-7pm. Hope to see you there!

Experimental Art Gallery and Studio
24 New Derby Street
Salem, MA 01970
781-439-1540

New Work, May 2008

I've posted a few new things in the Collage and Assemblage sections of the Gallery, but here are some shortcuts for quick viewing. Big thanks to Jacques Izard for the photographs.

Blogged, May 2008

One of my pieces, "Circe," was mentioned in the "blogosphere" by Beverly Kaye, of Beverly Kaye Gallery, in an entry entitled Collages That Entrance, along with pieces by two other women. Ms. Kaye represents outsider, folk, and self-taught artists at her gallery in Woodbridge, CT. You can check out her website ArtBrut.com, and see the blog entry featuring "Circe" at beverlykayegallery.blogspot.com.

Bad Ass Poetry, April 2008

Two of my poems have been published in the latest issue of Boston Poetry Journal, the theme of which is "Bad Ass." If you're interested in purchasing a copy, it is available for $10.00 from Lulu.com.

March, 2008, in Somerville

The entire Eastern Seabord has Daylight Savings Time and the Vernal Equinox, but only Somerville has a solo show of my work this March at Ball Square's independently owned and operated True Grounds Cafe. There are quite a few new pieces up there, so if you're in the neighborhood, stop on by and check it out. Bring your laptop and enjoy the free wireless and a latte while you're at it.

Process v. Product

My next scheduled show will be a solo show to take place at True Grounds Cafe in March 2008. I've given up doing craft fairs in order to focus more on process (the fair deadlines were all about product), so there will be plenty of new work for the show. Meanwhile, you can find my greeting cards and small boxes at Blue Cloud Gallery in Ball Square, Somerville, and Magpie, in Davis Square. I have a bunch of new boxes to deliver, as well. If you're interested in purchasing the work you see on this website, please contact me at lslapiko@hechoensomerville.com. Thanks for your support!

New Photos, September 2007

This summer, I was able to hook up with art photographer Steve Gyurina, who made some beautiful photos of my work, which are now posted in the Gallery. You can find Steve on the web at http://www.artopia.net.

Somerville Public Library, August, 2007

A selection of my work is on display at the Somerville Public Library's main branch at 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. It's in the glass case in the front lobby of the library. Show ends August 31.

Upstream People Gallery, June 2007

Upstream People Gallery chose three of my pieces for their 9th Annual Collage, Digital, Mixed Media Juried International Art Exhibition. The Exhibition is actually an online show, so you can check out my stuff without leaving your chair! To see all three pieces, just use the "next image" link on the Upstream site. The current exhibition will be featured through June 30, 2007, and will be part of the archives until May 31, 2008.

An excerpt from the Juror's Statement:

The "9th Annual Collage, Digital & Mixed Media Juried Online International Art Exhibition" is one of the very best of all the hundreds of exhibitions showcased by Upstream People Gallery. There are some wonderful artists whose level of creativity and artistic skill is truly exceptional.

[W]orks were selected because of the significance of meaning inherent in the artworks and due to the high proficiency of skill in the use of various media.