Mixed Media, Fine Art Collections

Var Gallery 30 x 30 x 30 Exhibition 2025 Opens April 18th, 2025 in Milwuakee, WI

“Var Gallery's 30 x 30 x 30 Exhibition invites select 30 artists to make 30 pieces in 30 days in the month of January. Hosted in Milwaukee, WI, the show's goals are to stimulate an aggressive art-making marathon right away at the beginning of the year as well as provide gallery visitors the ability to collect small works from many artists.”

I’m a firm believer in the power of daily art challenges. For years, I’ve participated in 100 Day projects, and without fail, each one has revealed something new. Not only do I appreciate the discipline of showing up for myself every day, but I’m also amazed at how a simple concept can evolve over time, unlocking so much creative potential within the boundaries I set for myself. I’ve always admired the artists who commit to Var Gallery’s January 1st 30-day art-making challenge. January often feels like an impossible time to dive into such an intense daily practice, but this year, I was determined to start strong and set the tone for the months ahead.

I love thinking about Julia Cameron’s words: “Serious art is born from serious play.” In 2025, I’m making it my mission to take my art seriously—joyfully.

Layers
June 28 – August 9, 2024
A group exhibition featuring Colleen Ayson, Helen Beckley-Forest, Angela Guest, and Kelly Schnurr

“Buffalo Arts Studio brings together four artists working at the intersection of art and craft to exhibit in the Community Space gallery. Colleen Ayson, Helen Beckley-Forest, Angela Guest, and Kelly Schnurr all combine traditional modes of artmaking, including drawing, painting, and photography, with innovative textile and collage practices. The resulting objects are dynamic expressions of personal, playful gestures.”

Somewhat autobiographical, I hint at escapism through my use of color, texture, and layers of material. Creating portals of fantastical landscapes and references to natural patterns, I work both intuitively and extremely deliberately as I weave in and out of memory, distraction, and life’s interruptions.

Collage became part of my process as a response to time and space constraints. Finding a flexible and portable technique allowed me to create during soccer practices, road trips, and always at my dining room table. I am deep in the season of parenting where my kids are very dependent on me both physically and emotionally while I often feel ill-equipped to handle my own needs. My mental load can feel heavy at times and echos of my inner dialogue are often reflected within the intricacies of my canvas. This body of work rejects some of my perfectionist ideals and delightfully embraces my authentic, topsy-turvy tendencies.

Following my residency at Hunt Gallery, I recently secured a private studio space in The Brisbane Building where I will be able to continue my creative journey with a newfound sense of expansiveness and possibility; I am honored to be able to welcome you into my realm.

"...echos of my inner dialogue are often reflected within the intricacies of my canvas."

Distorted Perspective – 1,
mixed media on stretched canvas,
20" x 16" — Distorted Perspective – 1, mixed media on stretched canvas, 20" x 16"

Distorted Perspective – 2, mixed media on stretched canvas,
20" x 16" — Distorted Perspective – 2, mixed media on stretched canvas, 20" x 16"

Frolicking Together – 1, mixed media on stretched canvas, 10" x 8"

Frolicking Together – 2, mixed media on stretched canvas, 10" x 8"

Kids’ Table
A group exhibition featuring Hunt Gallery Residents V
May 31 – July 3 2024
Photos by Spicy Creative

My fine art practice was birthed alongside my transition into early motherhood. In the midst of overwhelm and exhaustion, I clung to a daily sketchbook practice and other small acts of creativity as a way to show up for myself. Inspiration came from the shapes and patterns that I would notice during daily walks. Documenting by photo first, followed by a growing foraged collection brought joy to mundane activities. Seasonal rhythms became symbolic of personal growth and strength of roots. As my children gain a sense of autonomy, I’m celebrating the deep breath that is this new phase of my lifelong creative journey. Bursting with energy and emotion, I broke free of familiar and expected depictions of nature and made space for spontaneity, expressive gestures and forms. Dyes, paint, marker, pastel and embroidery saturated my canvas in layers of texture. Experimenting with scale allowed my process to feel more physical. Deconstructing and reassembling interrupted the natural rhythm until embroidered threads stitched a connection. Fantastical and sometimes playful, I am thrilled to share my distorted perspectives with you. Thank you for escaping with me.

I Always Remember the Flowers, 2024, mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"

Time is Both, 2024, mixed media on canvas, 30" x 30"

I Pluck the Petals While You Sort the Stones, 2024, mixed media on canvas, 40" x 30"

Finding Freedom in the Pause, 2024, mixed media on canvas, 40" x 40"

If We Reframe, is it Still the Same?, 2024, dyed cotton, embroidery and stamped foliage, 44" x 35"

Let Me Recall My Collections, 2024, mixed media, various sizes and arrangements

He Called Her Hank

“He Called Her Hank” is inspired by letters my maternal grandmother exchanged with her first husband who died while on active duty in WW2. The soft sculpture is based on an envelope form, it's flaps becoming branches or root-like structures and taking on an anthropomorphic quality. Using thrifted baby blankets, the fabric was dyed with plants from my garden. Embroidered abstract botanical elements, or possibly landscapes, bulge from the form as knots on a branch might protrude. The center of the envelope reads "All my love," like my grandma ended most of her letters. Though her circumstances were far from my own, the lifeline that I stem from is ever present.

2022

“Enveloped #1” is a soft sculpture envelope made from my original repeat pattern design that I digitally printed on cotton. It's stitched and stuffed allowing the softness of the flaps to envelop the branch as a symbol of my family roots, growth, and self-discovery.

“Enveloped #2” is a mixed-media paper sculpture made from an original gouache painting on watercolor paper, trimmed and folded into an envelope that remains unsealed and free-standing. Backed by iridescent vinyl, stitched embellishments and foraged branches offer multiple perspectives of this figment.

“Hi Darling” features a handwritten letter by my grandmother to her husband (WWII). The letter is respectfully illegible with bits coming into focus. Merged with my floral pattern, I had the design digitally printed on satin. Finally, I stitched, stuffed, and molded the form to resemble the interconnectedness of family roots; complicated and beautiful. Natural elements such as dried flowers memorialize loved ones lost. Foraged driftwood contrasts the slippery and delicate fabric that will undoubtedly fray with time.

2021
Complex layers are molded, stitched, and assembled. Patterns and connections are revealed.

“Plant Parts”
Small sculptures and assemblages inspired by Mother Nature's shapes and patterns
as observed and collected on my daily walks. Materials include: Found sticks, spray paint, gouache, paper clay, polymer clay, flocking powder, yarn, recycled cardboard and papers.

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Discovering paper clay and all of the unexpected, delicate forms that can be molded. I was particularly excited about the shadows created and would love to work with them more intentionally.

Always curious about painting on alternate surfaces while exploring the limitations with my paper clay forms. Discovery and unexpected moments of beauty are what we seek in nature. Paying attention to details and looking for compositions and colors on a walk or hike is a constant source of inspiration.