Two collages: The Hero, and A Day at the Beach

nszczesniak · #1 08-09-2012, 04:46 PM

A Day at the Beach: collage with acrylic paint. Unsure as to the size, maybe 1.75 feet by 1.25?. Clouds and landscape were painted, the buildings were drawn, as was the lady with the umbrella. The fist, water, maps, and the faces are all collage elements.

The Hero: collage with acrylic. Same size as the other one. The text on the billboard behind the model reads "hero" written over and over.

Hope they smell a less like bacon.

anthony mauve · #2 08-09-2012, 05:32 PM

Very 50's--in the handling of the paint and the choice of cutouts.

Actually your landscape is very unappealing--your figure less so--suggest you look at what 2 of the 3 C's have done with imagery--Clemente and particularly Cucchi. There's room for the mind to wander in their work, not so in these pics.

Relax, don't try so hard--have a drink.

nszczesniak · #3 08-09-2012, 05:52 PM

Yeah, I need one.

brushwaggler · #4 08-09-2012, 07:28 PM

You're creating these now not in the 50's. The 50's were over 60years ago. I'd look for modern influences if you feel you need to look anywhere for anything. Although the past may influence us, it is the past and i think we need to use it to shape the future not try to re-live it. ( those of us that we're alive then anyway!).
I really like these collages, especially the first one. I think they're well put together and confident. I don't think they seem tense or that you need a drink. They appear to be the work of someone totally relaxed.
Look forward to seeing more.
Kind regards
Brushwaggler

**alangraham** · #5 08-10-2012, 10:49 AM

I think the first collage (Beach one) is better than the second, and honestly really do like it. It's a fun piece to view, and you handled the collage well. The retro vibe is cool, too. I would have loved to go walking on a beach in the 50s/60s, so thanks for making this!

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**~JON** · #6 08-10-2012, 12:10 PM

I like the first piece although I would find it improved without the figures and faces. I like the collage element and I think the composition works, also.

nszczesniak · #7 08-11-2012, 03:51 AM

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I really had no idea that these would seem retro...I'm not sure what I was going for, but I'm glad there are things to see that I didn't intend.

**davefriend** · #8 08-11-2012, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nszczesniak

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. I really had no idea that these would seem retro...I'm not sure what I was going for, but I'm glad there are things to see that I didn't intend.

Sometimes you don't need a place to go and retro may be in the mind of the beholder as much as anything. Make art, your art. Of course it will have influences in it from all the things you have experienced and they are going to come back out as interpreted by you. At this point they are as original and contemporary as you are.

brushwaggler · #9 08-11-2012, 03:27 PM

Nszczesniak, I've just read my post back and am hoping it hasn't been taken in the wrong vein? I was trying to say what Davefriend has just said, but obviously I didn't do it as intelligently.
What I meant was, no, they're not very 50's, in my opinion. You're creating them now and that makes them contemporary. Yes, you may have seen and been influenced by work done in that era but you're looking to the future not copying from the past. And I didn't think they looked as if you needed to have a drink and relax! I thought they looked like the work from someone relaxed and confident with what they're doing.
I'll shut up now!
Thanks for posting what you did Davefriend, it made me see my post in a different light.

Brushwaggler

nszczesniak · #10 08-11-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brushwaggler

Nszczesniak, I've just read my post back and am hoping it hasn't been taken in the wrong vein? I was trying to say what Davefriend has just said, but obviously I didn't do it as intelligently.
What I meant was, no, they're not very 50's, in my opinion. You're creating them now and that makes them contemporary. Yes, you may have seen and been influenced by work done in that era but you're looking to the future not copying from the past. And I didn't think they looked as if you needed to have a drink and relax! I thought they looked like the work from someone relaxed and confident with what they're doing.
I'll shut up now!
Thanks for posting what you did Davefriend, it made me see my post in a different light.

Brushwaggler

Oh no problem at all, I appreciated your comment. Collage is a new territory for me, so I'm glad to have your feedback.

truarts · #11 08-11-2012, 04:45 PM

Checked out a book today on Warhol and saw some of his collages and I must say I prefer yours over his. Keep up the good work.

nszczesniak · #12 08-12-2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truarts

Checked out a book today on Warhol and saw some of his collages and I must say I prefer yours over his. Keep up the good work.

That's very flattering, thank you. Lots more to learn from his, though.

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