Belinda mentions that making something from nothing is what got her started in collage, and I think it's really a main theme of her current collage techniques. Her "hole punch" assemblages really are utitlizing that entire concept, they are minimalistic—yet are colourful, creative, and clever art pieces. I love her work, maybe because I never thought of it—I already make "paper confetti" out of my old scraps as well!
Name (Real or Screename): Belinda Kemp aka gretchenmist
URL (Blog, Website): www.gretchenmist.blogspot.com, www.gretchenmist.etsy.com
Location (Where are you from?): Melbourne, Australia
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: Considered yet automatic, intuitive, semi-abstract, semi-illustrative, sometimes minimal.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: I love to work with print-making paper that I colour with layers of pencil then gouache or watercolour, and magazines—my favourites are interior mags and alternative fashion mags.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I've been making collages for as long as I can remember! I used to cover books and make diaries with my collages. I think the idea of making something out of 'nothing' and making use of my collection of magazines was what made me start—it seemed crazy to have the pages/images that I loved sitting in closed magazines in a pile when they could have a life in the day to day.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I look after our 2 little kids at home as well. I used to work as a graphic designer but I am hoping to be as full-time as I can as an artist when the kids get to school age.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: Nope! I'm self-taught.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: I like to combine drawing, painting and cut paper. I love to add the collage elements to mixed media pieces at the end, so they are kind of like highlights. I find cut paper/magazine pieces add depth, colour, texture and content in a way that all the other mediums often can't. I also like to move blocks of coloured/cut paper around on a blank sheet of paper until an image starts to form/make sense to me.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: 'the courtyard garden' has been my favourite collage piece to make. it was one of those pure/priceless creative experiences where my hands seemed to work alone and with direction that was kind of fresh to my eyes. all the elements seemed to go together as though they were meant to be.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: There are so many! Abbey Mcculloch, Marise Maas, Yoshitomo Nara, Joanna Logue, Edvard Munch...
Thanks Belinda!
Comments (2)
What a terrific feature — I love Belinda's work. And I'm happy to have found this blog through her too — I will be back. High fives and great stuffs, all around!
Posted by mchen | May 26, 2009 10:21 AM
Posted on May 26, 2009 10:21
Great interview! and I love her work.
Posted by jen jafarzadeh | May 26, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on May 26, 2009 10:37