Friday, September 10, 2010

Simplicity is perfection?

Last week I joined Stephanie and the others over at Inspiration Avenue for the weekly challenge. I was so grateful to Artangel for accepting my late entry that I vowed I would play again this week and be early this time. I have to admit, I nearly forgot about the challenge as the entry deadline got closer and I got busier than usual.

This week the theme is Simplicity is Perfection. This theme is so far out of my comfort zone, it took awhile to come up with something suitable.

When I think of simplicity, I think of the collages by Claudine Hellmuth, whose uncluttered art I've always admired. I'm not sure simple collages alone would qualify as perfection. To marry the two very disparate (in my opinion) words into something I could design for this challenge, I thought about my musician friend who would say perfect pitch is perfection. Some people have it, others learn it, still others never hit a correct note, no matter how hard they struggle.

This collage is a tribute to those people who have perfected pitch, or who were born with it, and is being submitted to Inspiration Avenue for the Simplicity is Perfection challenge. Please check out the other entries, too.

Collage details: background is hand painted deli paper, magazine image, tape transfer, and vinyl letters on an 8.5 X 11 (A4) substrate.

Today I am honoring ArtAngel who chose last week's Inspiration Avenue challenge and allowed me to join, even though I was a bit late with my entry (time differences got in my way). ArtAngel is a UK mixed media artist, who makes lovely collages and paintings on canvas. She loves hearts and they appear in many of her pieces. Her works often include multiple items in one piece of artwork, like 12 hearts or multiple decorated tags. I love this repetition, so of course, I was impressed by her art. Please stop by and visit ArtAngel today.

26 thoughtful remarks:

Vicki said...

This collage is beautiful. I love your work.

Anonymous said...

Wow! This is smashing!

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Hi Elizabeth, I'm back from my jollies (holidays to you) and PC probs seem to be sorted ;-)
Love this collage and love what you've chosen to represent perfect pitch, great idea :-)
Anne x

Unknown said...

This is SO beautiful- I love the layers of color you've used here and the underlaid textures of music and papers......gorgeous!!! I've been struggling with the theme all week too. Simplicity can be deceptively complicated; at least for me.
Also, Angie is one of my favorite artists, I actually have one of her butterfly collages (another one of her themes) hanging in my kitchen- I LOVE it!

Healing Woman said...

Elizabeth,
This challenge may have been out of your comfort zone but it turned out super. Perfect Pitch is the absolute perfect name for this one.

Unknown said...

Wow ... I love this! I think you've accomplished a brilliant interpretation of "Simplicity". I could just look at this for hours. :)

Ahh ... you've chosen a wonderful person to honor. ArtAngel is a very special person ... and we, at Inspiration Avenue, adore her!

Margaret said...

very clever interpretation Elizabeth! love the colours and the image you've used!

Cath Wilson said...

LOVE the idea of the music theme - perfect, lol. The colours are wonderful and she is a great image. You really do have your own, special style. Great work.

donnalouiserodgers said...

the collage is very Lovely Elizabeth - and you are as close to perfect in terms of sharing and caring as any one I have met, it's what comes out of your heart - and that sense of concern and desire to share - always a new person to visit via your blog - that is so simple.....and perfect,

~*~Patty S said...

Love where this challenge took you E and what you created! it's super ... great music dolly!
oxo

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Maybe, we over analyze! Maybe one man's simplicity is another man's complicated. I certainly don't know, I do know I like your work and enjoy reading your blog and meeting the new bloggers you introduce. I very bravely posted one of my art journals on my blog tonight, hope you will check it out.

Distressing Delilah a.k.a. jenn said...

simply.beautiful.

Unknown said...

I love this and the way the music score plays into it....I like Claudine Helmuth too....Sometimes it is more of a challenge to keep things simple....this is a great piece...

Shelinwa said...

I love this wow you are so great at wording and technique~~ Sweet
Thanks for poppin over to my blog too. come again

Yvonne said...

Gorgeous piece, Elizabeth!

WrightStuff said...

Perfect pitch eh? Something I don't have!!
What a great collage - love the colours and all the interest those layers inspire.

Robin Norgren, M.A, R-YT, Spiritual Director said...

this piece is so very RICH in detail. The colors and the texture remind me of how very RICH perfect pitich is. Lovely work...

jacqueline said...

Dearest Elizabeth, thi spice is soo gorgeous and soo beautiful! You have captured the interpretation of "Simplicity" perfectly! I really truely adore your work. So happy to have stop by here to visit you for you have such an inspiring space and your work is beautiful! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to you!

HalfRaven said...

You've got my eye lingering and roving...wonderful layers. (and yes, as you posted on my blog "our lives are TRULY miracles!"

Terri Kahrs said...

I'm a bit late to the party, but so glad I came!!! This piece is absolute perfection, Elizabeth! Hope you have a terrific (and cooler) weekend! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Priti Lisa said...

Love this! Pitch perfect...my son is. It is not genetic, it is a gift. No one else in the family can play anything but the radio...sorry :)
Thank you for visiting my blog...I have been visiting you for a while...mostly silently...sorry again.
You have some truely beautiful work.
Xo

Rebeca Trevino said...

Lovely!

Steph said...

oooh this is such a sweet little piece, E!!!love the colors!!!

artangel said...

Great take on the theme Elizabeth, your combination of images, composition and colour hits the perfect pitch for me!

Thank you so very much for such a lovely write-up, I'm really touched and flattered, you made my day :)

Kim Collister Studio said...

I love your collage. I think most artist are complex and simplicity is way out of my comfort zone as well, but when I am in it, I rather like it! It's just hard to stay there! :)
Your submission rocks!

Felicia Kramer said...

Very nice! Love your color choices.