POSTAGE STAMP ART
I create canvases that are covered in postage stamps; most of the stamps have been used and cancelled. It all started with a blank canvas that was eight inches square and ready to hang in a frame. I wanted something easy to put together to hang in a particular spot in my hallway. Little did I know that a trip to the stamp and coin store would bring so much inspiration and fill numerous canvases. I wanted to fill the canvas with some inexpensive stamps so I bought a bag of used postage stamps and proceeded to start gluing. I was astounded by the variety of stamps. Each stamp is a miniature piece of art on its own but I am more interested in what happens when stamps are placed side by side and overlapped with many more stamps. I realized that a varied but limited number of colours occur in stamps and I have explored how the colours can be stretched to create a harmonious palette. Older stamps are monochromatic which allows for another direction of artistic exploration.
While working with used postage stamps I like to consider that I am repurposing them into a work of art. I have started to question why one stamp is worth pennies and another worth thousands and so I created a series called "Precious". I often think about the messages that these stamps have shared through letters and this turned into the series “Messages”. Societies have similar concerns and areas of pride and the series “Cultural Identity” explores that thought. Stamps are a reflection of what is important to people and their countries, it shares with us society’s culturally significant changes. By having an accession number and a seal attached, I hope to ask if one day we will only see stamps in albums and museums. With the telephone, texting and e-mail, will traditional mail disappear?
While working with used postage stamps I like to consider that I am repurposing them into a work of art. I have started to question why one stamp is worth pennies and another worth thousands and so I created a series called "Precious". I often think about the messages that these stamps have shared through letters and this turned into the series “Messages”. Societies have similar concerns and areas of pride and the series “Cultural Identity” explores that thought. Stamps are a reflection of what is important to people and their countries, it shares with us society’s culturally significant changes. By having an accession number and a seal attached, I hope to ask if one day we will only see stamps in albums and museums. With the telephone, texting and e-mail, will traditional mail disappear?
OTHER STAMP PROJECTS
I started making bookmarks when my Mom requested one and it's been great fun making them. I try to use beads and strings that have been repurposed whenever possible. Card making has been an easy transition with postage stamps and are especially beautiful with Christmas postage stamps.