C. Dianne Zweig Announces May 2016 Workshops on Contemporary Mixed Media-Collage at Dick Blick Art Materials, Plainville, CT

Let Loose With Collage and Mixed Media Classes This Spring: Four Exciting Workshops at Dick Blick in Plainville, Connecticut

Letting all my readers know that I will be giving a series of Workshops on Contemporary Mixed Media and Collage this May, 2016 at Dick Blick in Plainville, CT. Since I spend a good deal of time at Dick Blick buying the mother lode of art supplies,  I decided to share my process with others in the form of four Wednesday afternoon sessions:

Let Loose With Collage & Mixed Media Workshops: 

Leave your inner critic home and join others in the art of creating Mixed Media artwork and collages using painted papers, print making techniques, textures, mark making, dry and wet media. Emphasis on helping students "loosen up" and work more spontaneously with a variety of materials and products. All levels of students welcomed. Day/Time: 4 sessions on Wednesdays 1:00-3:00, May 4, 11, 18, 25. Fee $120.00  For more information visit http://www.cdiannezweig.com/workshops/



C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixed Media Colors: When You Just Can't "Own" The Palette

Painted Papers For Collage With Colors That Scream Help!

This post is for my Mixed Media followers who will know exactly what I am talking about when it comes to falling into just the right palette. Well let's say the last palette I fell into I just can't own. I  am trying to like it, but it doesn't work for me. Remember the Bravo T.V. show "Work of Art" ? One of the art critics, I think it was Jerry Saltz, would often say "it just doesn't work for me". Well that is how I feel about the colors on the papers I painted for my current series of collages. What do you think....are these colors working
for you?


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixed Media Collage: Building On Layers To Create A Successful Well Composed Piece

The Joy Of Tearing Up Painted Papers In Mixed Media Collage

In the mixed media collage world, many of us paint our own papers and then tear those papers up  to create our collaged work. Yesterday while in my art studio, I was thinking about how much fun it is to paint the papers and how grueling it can be to form those papers into a cohesive, exciting and well composed  piece of artwork. Of course the beauty in this method of working is that you add layer upon layer onto your support, essentially starting over again and again.

In Mixed Media Collage: Don't Fall In Love With Your First Layer

During my first layer yesterday I was in soft cream colors, only to leave the studio with an incomplete piece that ended with shades of aquamarine and dark blues.  When I return today to rework my collage, I maybe in an entirely different palette. One thing is for sure, never fall in love with your first layer. And if there are papers that you really are keen on, don't use them in the early phases of your piece, because if you work like most of us, these pieces will eventually become buried with newer layers.

Loosening Up To The Creative Frenzy Phase Of Mixed Media Collages

I also have noticed  that I work in predictble  phases when collaging mixed media pieces. I start off careful and deliberate and by the late afternoon, my frustration level is converted into a wonderful "I don't care about this piece anymore" so whatever happens can happen. This realization that I may have just "ruined" the piece is followed by a wonderful creative frenzy which is loose, experimental and daring. At this stage, surprises appear, color combination I wasn't planning emerge and the mixed media collage starts saying "look at me, I'm developing into something engaging".

Readers are welcome toleave a comment and tell us about your experiences.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixus Mixed Media Artists Opening, November 29th, 2012, 5:30-7:30 p.m, Charter Oak Cultural Center

Mixus Mixed Media Collage Art Show At Charter Oak Cultural Center November 29th - January 4, 2012

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes Dazzles Us With Vibrant Colors, Innovative Textures And Whimsical Interpretations Of Serious Topics

Visiting The Art Studio Of Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes At Open Studio Hartford


As a loyal fan of Open Studio Hartford, I made the rounds this past weekend, visiting all the studios and artists at Artspace Hartford. I started out on Saturday at Artspace, a residence across from the train station in Hartford which combines living space with artist studios and and then returning to to visit 56 Arbor Street ( Real Art Ways building) on Sunday.

Meet Mixed Media Artist Carolyn Tertes

The fourth floor of 56 Arbor Street is not only the home of my first art studio (I am now at The Farmington Valley Art Center) , but it is the creative sanctuary for my Mixed media colleague and friend Carolyn Tertes. Carolyn, like many other artists, works in powerful bursts of intense creativity sessions followed by periods of rest, family, distractions and travel.

Whenever Carolyn returns to studio 414 at 56 Arbor (a building known for artists, photographers, graphic designers, artsy types) you can be sure that she is exploding with ideas.

Burst of Color At Carolyn Tertes's Art Studio

On Sunday, I walked into her studio and was dazzled with color, energy and excitement. No one uses pinks, oranges and West Coast colors like Carolyn. Maybe that is because Carolyn is bi-coastal, dividing her life between three pleasures, her art, her husband and family ( on the warmer coast). Carolyn also spends a lot of time in Mexico and you can clearly see how she is influenced by the bright, colorful designs and palettes of her travels.

Old Game Parts Tell A Story

While her collages appear whimsical and playful, if you look closer you will learn that often Carolyn is expressing much deeper topics in her work. The mixed media piece on top is about "young boys play at war". The old game parts and toy soldiers are mean't to remind us of the dangers of war games.

Improvising With Her Studio Space

Short on time, Carolyn needed to get her studio ready for Open Studio Hartford. So as clever as she is, she put her efforts into painting a dynamite wall mural which she used to showcase her smaller Encaustic (wax) and mixed media collages. The look was sensational, adding vibrant wow power to her studio and giving her older collage and mixed media pieces a new presentation. I have to say, visiting Carolyn's studio was the perfect ending to a art lover's weekend. Now I need to get to my own stdio and channel some of Carolyn's creativity!

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

"Summer Conversations", Nostalgic And Collectible Contemporary Collages By Connecticut Artist Mark Keigwin

Mixed Media Collages Called "Story Boards"

"Summer Conversations" is East Haven, CT's artist Mark Keigwin's latest exhibit which I caught while visiting the fabulous Guildford Art Center Craft Expo 2011. He calls some of his new work " Story Boards"s. I was lured into Mark's outdoor booth at the Craft Expo by the exciting pastel colors which anchor his mixed media graphic style collages.

Collages Using Updated Nostalgic Elements

At first I assumed that Mark was a talented graphic artist who was carefully composing collages from computer generated graphics. No, I couldn't have been more incorrect. Mark, a Fellow of the American Artists Professional League has a long history as a painter and Fire Artist. Upon a closer look at Mark's work and after a long discussion or "Summer Conversation" with the artist, I learned that all of the elements in his collages are created by his own hand and not reproduced.

Even the lettering shown in these wonderful examples of his nostalgic yet contemporary styled work is done with his own hand. Yes, I'll say it again, Mark did the lettering by hand....no computer.

Using Old Family Photos In Artwork

The photograph images are originals from a family member's collection. All of the blocks of color are painted onto the wood support. Perhaps you thought that they were paper? No, Mark is a master of carefully ruled and composed pieces.

You can reach Mark Keigwin at 203-469-0872

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

Visiting Silver Circle Studio And Gallery, Downtown Putnam, CT

The Silver Circle Studio And Gallery Is Packed With Vibrant Art, Gifts, Jewelry

Silver Circle Studio and Gallery lights up Main Street in Downtown, Putnam, CT with a badly needed bolt of color, excitement and artistic and creative flair. The town had been struggling for years and now observers are happily witnessing a re-birth with boutiques, galleries, cafes and entertainment.

Downtown Putnam Is Changing For The Better

The downtown area is not yet quite there yet but it has begun to make enormous progress in this direction. For years my pull to Putnam was for antiquing with a formerly very solid and exciting antique district covering several blocks. But now, only a few antique and vintage shops remain with the main store being The Antique Marketplace. But new and terrific things are happening to Downtown Putnam and you will like the energy that is in the air.

The Silver Circle Gallery Is Bringing Creative Energy To Putnam

The surprise for me during my recent visit to the area, and I mean surprise, was parking my car opposite "The Silver Circle" owned by Carly Martin a devoted supporter of local community arts.
Once inside the gallery I was totally impressed with a beautifully designed retail shop, gallery space and area for workshops and classes for all ages.

Handcrafted Upscale Art And Gifts

Inside The Silver Circle Studio and Gallery you will find handcrafted jewelry, paintings, glassware, pottery, gifts, textiles and more.

At the time of my visit a few weeks ago, there was a very engaging mixed media collage show in the front gallery which featured works from regional artists (see photos ). Silver Circle hosts rotating exhibits and receptions every 4-6 weeks.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists

MIXUS Mixed Media Exhibit , Gallery On The Green, Canton, Connecticut,, November 13th -December 19th, 2010

MIXUS GALLERY ON THE GREEN , CANTON, CT OPENING NIGHT
November 13th, 2010

If you love Mixed Media Art and Collage, you will really enjoy MIXUS, a group of Connecticut artists who are exhibiting their work during the Annual Holiday Show at The Gallery On The Green, Canton, Connecticut.

Today, I previewed the show before it's opening tomorrow, Saturday, November 13th, 2010, from 6 to 9 P.M. and can report that Mixed Media enthusiasts will really be treated to a wonderful exhibit.


How Mixus Got Started

As one of the founding members of Mixus (now I'm busy writing and not making too much art) , I can tell you about this wonderful group of creative women from Connecticut. The group met while taking art classes and workshops at The Farmington Valley Art Center in Avon, Connecticut with Debi Pendell. When Debi left the area to relocate her studio to North Adams, Massachusetts, the gals decided to continue meeting as a group to discuss art matters, show collectively and share their art experiences.

Starting off as a small group, other collage artists in the area joined the group and it now has a very lively group of 12-15 members who all work quite differently but share the love of Mixed Media.

Gallery On The Green, Canton, Connecticut

The Gallery On The Green is a wonderful venue for Mixus. The Mixus exhibit is on the second floor of the gallery, while the Holiday show is on the first floor. If you are in town Saturday night, be sure to stop by the gala opening. The Mixus group always offers lovely refreshments at all their shows. The show runs through December, 19th, 2010


Mixus Members

*Judy Cantwell
*Elaine Edelberg
*Joy Floyd
*Betty Friedman
*Vi Joshua
Lynn Gall
*Hannah Libman
*Bunny Curtis Millan
*Jill Henderson Pasanen
Debi Pendell
*Thelma Pierce
Alberta Richetelle
*Cynthia Root
*Carolyn Q. Tertes
*Lonny Wilhelm
*Susan Williams
*Gretchen Wohlgemuth
C. Dianne Zweig

*Exhibiting In Gallery On The Green Show
Gallery on the Green, located at Route 44 and Dowd Avenue in Canton, is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot
Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Collaging With Vintage Sewing Patterns

Altered Art Projects With Vintage Sewing Patterns
Here is another terrific idea for mixed media artists who appreciate vintage materials and want to collage in a retro style.

These wonderful collages were found at http://www.etsy.com/shop/Patsydoll. They are made out of old sewing patterns as well as the front and back covers of the actual packaging of the sewing patterns.

A Variety Of Art Elements To Use

What is nice about using all the different components of the sewing patterns is that you get a variety of different types of papers, elements (such as numbers, letters, writing, figures) and of course a range of colors.

Since vintage sewing patterns are very easy to find (especially
online) and are very inexpensive, especially packages that are soiled or torn many artists use the original materials when making art. But you could also consider
scanning your images and color copying them for multiple uses.

Collage Mediums

You can use Golden's Gel products for an adhesive or diluted glue.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Authors Guild, Inc.

Vintage Altered Art Using Old Bingo Cards And Parts

Growing Up In A Family Of Bingo Addicts

I grew up in a family of Bingo Addicts who played the game two to three times a week. My grandmother Esther, a.k.a. "Shabby Granny" (see Hot Cottage Collectibles For Vintage Style Home) decorated her entire apartment in the prizes she won at Bingo.

Bingo Prizes Are Now Kitchen Collectibles

While some of the Bingo games she played gave out cash prizes, most of the games she enjoyed gave the winners usable items such as coffee cups, salt and pepper shakers, cheese and cracker boards etc. Many of the " kitchen collectibles" we all buy and sell today, were once Bingo prizes.

Altered Art Bingo

"Bingo Games" are still popular today, but in a much different way. "Bingo" has been elevated from a parlor game to an art form. For many, "Altered Bingo Art" is the latest passion. Crafters are collecting vintage Bingo cards, tokens, markers etc. and transforming them into mixed media art forms. Many artists also incorporate sewing notions as well as vintage images from magazines or cards into their Bingo art.

Collectors And Artist Want Vintage Bingo Sets

This trend affects vintage sellers because it means that there is a new market out there for these vintage games. Even incomplete Bingo sets are of interest to altered art creators. Many artists use the Bingo cards as "supports" (surfaces) to create their projects, adding embellishments, trim, stampings, paintings, wax resistance, gold leafing, calligraphy etc. Some artists even make three dimensional assemblages out of Bingo materials. The Bird House shown here is a good example of a whimsical use of Bingo parts. Do sellers..never throw out anything!

You can find lots of vintage game parts, embellishments and completed Vintage Altered Bingo Art on Etsy.com and other on line sources.
Also keep on eye out for these items at Flea Markets, Thrift Shops and Antique Malls.

Photos courtesy of:

http://www.artchixstudio.com/
http://shessewpretty.typepad.com/
http://katiebeecreative.com/


C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.

Mixed Media Art and Assemblages (Created From Flea Market Finds, Found Objects, Ephemera. or Collectibles

Many creative individuals like to take salvage, quirky items they find at a flea market, old paper, damaged or orphaned collectibles and re-purpose (re-cycle) them to make works of art. These art projects can be flat such as collages on paper supports or three dimensional in the case of sculptures and assemblages.

In the last few years there has been an increase in what is referred to as "Altered Art". This form of art grew very popular with the scrap booking craze, although artists have always "altered" art materials and flea market finds. Some very beautiful "altered art" can be found which incorporates ephemera (old paper), vintage embellishments (perhaps antique buttons or fabric remnants) and other interesting odds and ends. "Altered Art" also called mixed media uses a variety of materials and products (adhesives, paints, dry media) in several forms (shadow boxes, collages, journal books, on canvas etc),


Art From Flea Market Finds and Collectibles
Another trend which has continued to attract creative individuals is using "flea market finds" and "re-cycling" them to make "functional art". An old Pyrex kitchen bowl becomes a lampshade or a bookshelf is painted a new color and hung on the wall instead of used on the floor etc.Of course old furniture and a variety of collectibles has always been a favorite "support" (surface) for many artists who enjoy "hand-painting designs on these objects.

Functional Art
Many artists prefer to take what was once "functional" items, such as a fork or beverage glass or key and integrate these objects in an "assemblage" or wall hanging in new ways. The fork might be used as the arm of a clock or a orphaned salt shaker is re-purposed as the body of a doll figure. Vintage advertising tins are especially sought after by artists who re-use these materials to form elaborate "Tin Can Assemblages or "Vintage Tin Figures"..

Outsider Art
With the increased attention to the environment, it's nice to be able to re-use treasures from the past in new ways. Let's remember however, that for generations and generations, people found new uses for common everyday items. "Junk Art" is really not a new concept at all. Some very elaborate "junk art" is sold for a lot of money. You will seem many forms of "Outsider Art" and "Tramp Art" commanding grand prices at auction.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.

To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff

Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com

Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com

Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.