Leslie has a lot to say about her work and process, which is okay because she is so interesting! I was especially drawn to her collages using strips of paper. They are subtle and multi-dimensional--she works with very flat, simple layouts, but the textures she includes make everything really jump off the page. I loved reading in her interview about the way she came to work in such a linear way, first with ribbons. Read on!

Sorry for the little lapse, Notpaper is based out of Canada again!

First post of the new year is Daniel Zender, whose collages immediately caught my eye. Abstract collages can be a challenge I find, but Daniel seems to see things this way easily. While most of us look to the subject of a photograph, Daniel sees the background and shapes of the negative space... and he creates some wonderfully fluid collages with them.

Collage portraits are always so interesting, it's fun to see how people approach them (and usually seem very complicated to me). These collage drawings by B.A. Lampman are a great combination--I love the ghostly white outlines on patterned paper. They remind me in atmosphere of Teri Donovan's collage paintings, which makes me like them even more.

What a wonderful night! Thanks to Charles Wilkin for curating the exhibit, everyone was wonderfully represented. As frustrating as my night began (it took me 4 hours to get there from Philly because of traffic, then missed the bus back) it was a really great event and I am glad to have gone.

I love the three-dimensional nature of Ashley's collages. In most of his pieces there seems to be an element that pops out from the flat background. Whether it's a city or a shape or a cloud, he combines two completely different worlds, and each piece seems perfectly balanced.

An International Collage Show of Epic Proportion
Opening Reception on Friday October 21st, 7-9pm
Ugly Art Room via Picture Farm
388 Wythe Ave
Brooklyn, NY

Lola creates surreal distorted portraits, some made of shattered fragments, exploded features, and some loopy figures I would certainly call dali-esque. I think they're great, she's creating a new perspective with each collaged caricature.

Also worth mentioning is her first solo show, Shrapnel, featuring new Exploded Portraits opening this Saturday (tomorrow!) at Phone Booth Gallery in Long Beach, Caifornia. Reception 7-10pm. Runs until November 5th.

Elo makes fun and playful digital collages, his work really caught my eye. What I like about it especially is that he's not afraid to combine multiple time periods in his pieces. I see a definite Victorian style as well as a retro 60s look in his work.

Justin's collages have a really great energy, featuring geometric shapes and strong--which overtake the subjects in quite a powerful way. He's not afraid to work in different mediums to get the message across, and each piece is so different but they all have that electric nature!

Here's a little update on Andrei Cojocaru, who I featured the first time in November 2008 (almost three years ago!). His work has changed a lot since then, and I feel like it has gotten more sophisticated in a way. I really love seeing the change in artists over the years, I was pleased to hear from him.

"Stars Are Indispensible"

96 pages in 2 colors, black and blue, 17 x 21.5 cm, 45 contributors from all over the world. The main theme is: "Stars are indispensable". It contains a music cd with 19 tracks.

Available from BOLO store.

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These collages by Michaela Cruz have a wonderful playfulness to them. They are so pretty but unafraid to be rough around the edges. Can't wait to see more from her!

Matthew cleverly uses landscapes in setting the backdrop for his collages. The way he cuts and reassembles them gives them an almost 3-dimensional quality, each piece is just shifted into place. Very enjoyable!

Opening Reception on August 11, 7pm
August 11 - August 27, 2011

The Department
1389 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario