collage { you are what you love }

continuous bloom

Posted by Aprile on 2010.03.15:

Hello! Hello spring! It's raining like crazy here but at least it's not snowing... I haven't made any new collages in a long time, I keep convincing myself that it's procrastinating and I should be doing something else. Yet, I am still never doing the thing that I am supposed to be doing. Surprise surprise. So I decided to just let myself do what I wanted to do.

I have been experimenting with some new stuff lately, everyone loved the paper folds I used for the "gray" series, and I kind of like them too so I am working them into this next collection. I think the white space helps with the otherwise very green backgrounds. I am working on green dividers, found in the Better Homes and Gardens book from the 50s—I bought two of the same book at Goodwill, just for the dividers.

I am still working on my thesis, and also going stir crazy with dreams of gardening. We're embarking on a huge gardening project this summer, even though we don't have a yard! It will be a hydroponic window farm, for herbs and lettuces. So excited.

How about some honest feedback now, guys? The first four pieces are on etsy, too.

comments (6) & tags ( art , collage , gardening , spring )

when skies are gray

Posted by Aprile on 2009.11.24:

I love when collage is my homework, and I get to try new things all the time. These three collages are for my "art explores psychology" class, which is interesting in itself, (though a bit depressing). The theme was any psychological issue, so these collages have a tinge of sadness to them. It's pretty much about vulnerability to mental illness, and it's something that has surely affected my childhood. Other than the gloominess, I think they're pretty cool!

The photographs are by Bill Durgin, from corduroy magazine (issue five).

comments (5) & tags ( collage , gray )

how it went...

Posted by Aprile on 2009.10.21:

Hello! I have been absent a little while only because of the real life crazyness that occurred last week! I had my very first show and (I think) it went pretty well... If you're in the area please stop by, it will be up until November 12th. I didn't take any pictures, so I borrowed a couple from Juli (who posted about the show here). My sister took some so I will surely have some more to show you later (or you can go see it for yourself!)

I had fears that all thirty-seven pieces wouldn't fit in the modest 300 square foot-ish gallery... but it didn't end up looking too cluttered!

I did some serious window painting all day before the show, it looked so neat with the light shining through!

I also just want to thank everyone for coming, I had a great time (despite my lack of sleep) and I really appreciated everyone being there! I've learned that a gallery opening is like a sort of self-absorbed little party that makes you feel quite loved, haha... I already have ideas for the next one!

(Photos in this post by Juli Daoust)

comments (6) & tags ( art galleries , collage , events )

the royal family — oct 16th to nov 12th

Posted by Aprile on 2009.10.14:

Oh! I guess I should mention my show again before it is the day of, shouldn't I? I'm a bit scatterbrained from all this hard work I suppose (Plus, I haven't been feeling too well this week).

This is the poster for my first ever solo exhibit (aren't you proud?), and I am extending an invitation to anyone in Toronto that would like to come. The opening reception is this Friday evening at 8pm, and wine and cheese will be served. Here is the formal event writeup:

Entitled “The Royal Family”, this mixed media collage series was inspired by a pair of scrapbooks found at the St. Lawrence antique market filled with newspaper clippings of Queen Elizabeth and her family during the 1950's and 60's. Aprile's collages recreate the scrapbooks, changing the composition and adding materials to give each page a deeper meaning. All of these pieces are created on the actual scrapbook pages themselves, resulting in brittle and delicate collages which further the character and feelings of nostalgia in each piece.

Aprile had tried many different artistic mediums but her restlessness always led to back to collage work where she feels most comfortable. She loves assembling, disassembling, and rearranging the compositions as well as creating contradictions and versatile interpretations for viewers.

Originally from the Niagara area, Aprile moved to Toronto to pursue a career in graphic design. In the future, she hopes to obtain work in print media and has a special interest for visual displays. Though she loves computers, she's a bit stuck in the past, with a penchant for rebelling and doing things the "old-fashioned way” and tries to mix as much collage into her design work as possible.

A fine collection of English cheeses and drinks will be served starting at 8PM opening night. Come out and enjoy the artwork, atmosphere and a little taste of monarchy!

So please visit me Friday or see my work anytime until Nov 12th!

...industtrees gallery
1234 college st.
toronto, ontario
m6h 1c2

416-273-8075
info@industtrees.com

Hours:
Mon – Sat
1pm - 7pm
Closed Sunday

Facebook Event

comments (1) & tags ( art , collage , events )

royal related things

Posted by Aprile on 2009.09.14:

I can't believe it's September 14th already! Where does the time go? I'm back at school and am already overwhelmed with all the work I have to do (at school and at work). Oh and at home, too. The good news is that I'm trying—key word "trying"—to schedule everything well, so that I can get everything done. I have even had time for artwork so far, but I'm sure that will change.

I have some great news, too! I just found out I'll be having a solo show at the gallery some friends of mine run (also where I sell my work) called ...industtrees at 1234 College St. I'm going to say (tentatively) that the show will open October 16th. I've got to get to work!

The theme is The Royal Family, which I've told you a bit about already. I have been working hard and scouring antique markets for "Royal" related things. Also horse and world war II related things, not completely the same theme but I have some ideas for display and I think medals and horses are pretty "royal," don't you? I've already arranged a trade for this horseshoe (nobody buy it!) My Etsy shop is emptying out a little, but I will have all the work from the show listed when it's over, unless I sell most of it, which would be nice!

So if you're in Toronto, I hope you'll come! I will post many more details and pictures of my progress later...

comments (7) & tags ( antiques , collage , history , royalty )

the royal family

Posted by Aprile on 2009.07.22:

Oooh, I have been so so busy. I thought this summer would be a bit more relaxing, but nope. We did have some time on Sunday to go to the St. Lawrence Antique Market for this first time EVER, and I will be going back every Sunday if I can. It was that good. I brought home a few nice things to make art with: some antique keys and a thimble (a little bag for $1), an amazing antique jigsaw puzzle with wooden pieces—we tried putting it together and let me tell you, it is a real puzzle, an old steel Boston pencil sharpener (the one you mount to something), and two matching Elementary school scrapbooks of the Royal family. I almost shelled out some money for a typewriter. That will be next time…

These books are so wonderful, I love everything about them! I have already started to use them in my artwork, carefully dissecting each 1950s newspaper clipping—I know, I know, how terrible am I? But I promise you I will make something amazing out of them.

The best feature of these books is all the little tape marks. You know I am know stranger to tape (who doesn't love tape, really), and every single photo in this book is held with Scotch tape, not glue! This makes it a dream to dissect of course, because the whole thing is quite brittle.

And the backs of the cutouts have little surprises too...

And finally, here is a little preview of some things I have been making. They are sort of in the vein of my Mr. Moustache books, not so perfectly pretty, they have a bit of vintage edge. I love them just the same, and they will look awesome on a white background in a pine frame!

I'm pretty sure I will now be frequenting Antique Markets a little more often now.

comments (5) & tags ( antiques , collage , scrapbooks )

echoing and re-echoing.

Posted by Aprile on 2009.06.26:

I don't know, is this nice? I am trying to focus on doing some larger collages, since I have always worked on 8.5" x 11" sheets and smaller. I was thinking of using unconventional "canvases" as well, this one is an olive green legal file I found in an old filing cabinet. I have made some works on wood that are pretty enormous, so let's call this one on the medium side. Should I do more work like this?

Oh! And I used the book "Echoing and Re-Echoing." that I picked up at the bookstore the other day, my favourite part is the repetition of that title (lower left hand corner).

comments (4) & tags ( art , collage )

with every good wish

Posted by Aprile on 2009.06.09:

I just wanted to share a little something I made for a bridal shower. We were looking for paper to design the invitations, and finally we decided to go with post cards (which I had been printing a ton of all week). I think they work well as really affordable invitations and they're also truly unique! It was fun for me because the bride-to-be has similar taste to mine, woodsy and simple (though she hasn't seen them yet).

I was thinking I would like to do more things like this, so if anyone is stuck for invitations, let me know! I think comissioned invitations are a cute idea.

comments (6) & tags ( art , collage )

hello mom

Posted by Aprile on 2009.05.10:

Hello mom,

I made this collage for you. It's funny what comes out of you instinctively with collaging, I wasn't really thinking much when I made this when I was finished it made so much sense. It depicts a difficult time (of many!) in our lives, one that I thought you handled with courage and strength. You had the courage to get better and be the wonderful mom you are. Thank you for never leaving me, and you know even though I live a little farther away, I will never leave you.

I truly love you.
Happy mother's day, mom.

comments (0) & tags ( collage , my mom )

new items in my shop!

Posted by Aprile on 2009.05.09:

Some new collages for my Oh Sweet Woods series are in the shop today! I haven't listed all of them yet, but they'll be up soon. I'm still printing the books, and I'm working on five special editions (!) that will be for sale first. But if you can't wait for the whole collection, you can get single originals right now! I've posted some of my favourites right now, I will almost be sad to see them go...

There are pieces in these collages from the lovely 1940s illustrated Winston dictionary I picked up back home for $1, I am really really loving it. I love the colour of the pages and the size of the illustrations (tiny!). Nice to know that my selfish book collecting can amount to something, haha.

PS. I think I might have a little giveaway soon, I've never had one before. I'm not going to say "one of the special edition boxed books" because that would be saying too much... Hush hush!

comments (4) & tags ( art , collage , etsy )

Entries tagged with 'collage'