Vivienne's collages have very vintage, nostalgic qualities... with strange modern twists. She says that people either "get it" or don't, and I don't know if I do or not but that's the best thing about her work. It makes me want to read into it even more.
Name (Real or Screename): Vivienne Strauss
URL (Blog, Website): http://www.vivienneart.blogspot.com/
Location (Where are you from?): Portland, OR
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: I strive to produce works that are aesthetically pleasing but have a touch of subtle humor or irony.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I love working with vintage magazines and old books. Sometimes I add some sewing for additional texture.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I started out doing what I consider more decoupage because I had to do something with all the images I had amassed and wanted to be able to see them all the time. This was probably about 10 years ago, I started decoupaging my thrift store furniture, then it spread to the doors and walls. I finally decided it needed to be "contained" and moved on to collage.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: Right now, I am solely an artist.
A: I do not have any formal art training, my degree is in Philosophy.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: I spend days just flipping through vintage magazines (a lot of time is lost reading old articles), cutting out my favorite images and setting them aside. Spend a few days with those images just in my head before coming back and working them into collages.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: I would have to say a collage called "Freak" it has a mans head, dress, 2 different arms (one muscular & masculine, the other hand is holding a hoop with a dog jumping through it). The Freak has 2 different legs, one in a tennis shoe, the other in a high heeled shoe. People either get my work and it makes them laugh or they don't and it makes them uncomfortable.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: I really enjoy work from the Dada group, from collage to photography to found objects (especially Lee Miller and Man Ray.) Also love the work of illustrators and graphic designers like Edward Gorey, Paul Rand. As for fine artists, I like Kirchner, Dufy, Picasso, Munch, and Kahlo.
Thanks Vivienne!
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Vivienne's work is wonderful!
I'm just discovering Vivienne's wonderful work and I totally adore it. (What a nice way to spend your day- pouring over old magazines!) Thanks for sharing!
Cheers-
BEcky