Six Impossible Things with Madcollage

Jen Stamps is a photographer who recreates her travels on embroidered photographs. Not only does she revisit the places she's been to, but she actually transforms the locations by stitching curious messages over the images. She also takes with her anonymous travelers from the past, and relocates them to lovely spots all over Europe. We talk about her embroidered photographs in this episode as we tour a seldom explored spot in Wonderland.

Giorgia Migliarini is our guide in today's episode. She introduces us to the fascinating practice of origami.

From past to present and all around the world, we learn about how origami impacts our lives in ways that we cannot even imagine.

Additionally, she has some excellent suggestions for those who would like to try this amazing art form. Let yourself be swept up in her passion for paper and all things origami. Cheers!

It’s not easy to get back on the saddle after a setback. I’m rarely “instagram ready”, and I prefer to talk about issues with clarity and openness. Sharing a story sometimes helps me, but some other artists prefer a more curated approach to their online presence. Let’s think about the conversations we’ve had on this podcast. Why are there talkative tiger-lilies, but also some bashful violets?

Join us today for a chat about many things: skateboards, hand cut collage, vintage magazines, Xacto versus scissors and more. Our guest is Templeton Elliott.

Through the Looking Glass contains one of the most unusual poems in the English language. Is there a lesson behind the inclusion of this poem, and what can we learn about its symbolism?

Today's artist made her way from Santiago de Chile to North Carolina, where she lives with her husband and children. There's lots to talk about: her love for illustration, her background as a graphic designer and how life happens between creative bursts. She handles family life and creativity with extraordinary commitment and patience. Meet Tamara Israel.

Today we are going to Arkansas to visit with Laurie Marshall. A writer, collage artist and mover-and-shaker extraordinaire. She tells us about her community, her affinity with collage and her plans for the remainder of this year.

For more about Laurie visit her website and Instagram.

The time has come to go Through the Looking Glass. Take a chance and start something new. It's not too late if you just give imagination a chance. We will follow Alice into this new playground to share in her adventure and to find inspiration for our own creations. It's all about ideas, ideas and more ideas!

What's happening in Quebec, Canada? So many giggles and so much collage. If you want to find out, listen to this episode and enjoy this low-key conversation with Helene Gallant.

Lucia Lundt works from her studio in beautiful Yucatan, Mexico. Her abstract oversized canvases reflect the passion she has for her craft.

Did you watch Becoming Frida on the BBC? (part 2)

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Keyboard trolls and unnamed critics can be pretty intimidating. Been there, done that!

However, blending in is not a solution. Instead, be thoughtful and be factual so you can stand tall against the winds of trendy public opinion.

Don't become another card in the spineless deck.

Did you watch Becoming Frida on the BBC? (part 1)

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

An introduction to a Canadian artist who, quite possibly, is the most organized collage maker around.

She carefully selects elements from magazines and repurposes them into witty collages.

With the support of her lovely assistant, Paige Kurpjuweit creates her own world of peculiar characters and funny situations.

Sourcing images.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Kelli Risitano Prescott takes pictures. She is a self-taught photographer who also dabbles in numerous other artistic practices.

You can find her enjoying the outdoors regardless of season or weather conditions. She is equally comfortable in the cool woods of Vermont, or in the sun baked plains of the Southwest.

Now that we are getting to the end of Alice in Wonderland, let's revisit some of the dream related themes in the book. As a bonus, I will share with you a funny little dream that I had not long ago. I wonder if Mr. Carroll would approve...

Bad jobs and horrible bosses.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

A bit about under-representation of women in the arts.

Self taught artist or trained artist?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Fiber Arts make their debut on this episode of Six Impossible Things, and it is thanks to Katherine McClelland.

Originally from Maine, she now lives and works in Massachusetts. She is a dedicated artist who uses wool as her chosen medium. 

She is, above all, a fan of process. She doesn't shy away from the inherent challenges of working with felted fabrics, and from sheep to framed canvas, she can do it all.

If you are curious about felting, Katherine affords us a glimpse into her method, and provides us with a wonderful introduction to this ancient practice. 

The Roberts vs Edwards lawsuit.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

The cheeky Knave of Hearts stole some delicious tarts! His mischief brings up an interesting question about "stealing" within the art world. Let's talk about this issue for a few minutes while looking at it from different perspectives. Please, as always, come to your own informed conclusions. Next week we will be in the company of Katherine McClelland to talk about her creations.

Can you make a living with art-making?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Gryphon and Mock Turtle were right to say that. Humans are obsessed with beauty, but tend to look for it in all the wrong places. Let's start this conversation about the idea of beauty, what it is, what it means in today's society, and how it can be found in the most unexpected places.  

Can my kids make collage?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

A classroom is where art teacher Jordan Hale has the chance to make amazing discoveries.  Although still working on building a personal art practice, Jordan enjoys creativity through her students. They never fail to impress her with their imaginative approach to artmaking. 

Her lesson plans run the gamut: from printmaking and pottery to collaborative murals. She finds inspiration in literature, contemporary artists and her many other interests and hobbies. Together, they keep her teaching fresh and dynamic.

Can you tell me about your artwork titled "Libre"?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Today I talk with Jill Libnic who enjoys photography as a way of documenting her natural surroundings. 

She is putting together a body of work that is a blend of record keeping and unbridled experimentation.

She finds this process comforting and therapeutic. Her "easy does it" approach is a lesson in patience and perseverance, and she encourages everyone to follow suit and give photography a try.

Suggestions for an art newbie.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

With a gentle and measured style, Gabrielle Clarke creates interior gardens that hold an eternal beauty. Her work is soft and floral like a Spring day, and also fleeting like the early morning light.

Happy Year of the Rabbit! Don't be late to the celebrations!

Are you anxious like Alice's white bunny, or calm and collected like the Chinese zodiac rabbit?

If you fall in the first category, what are you to do when you spend your time running around and barely getting through the day?

Turn to a little bit of creative thinking and imagination. Look for patterns, connect the dots and you'll become adept at seeing the big picture.

Be a renegade and don't conform! You'll find your stride eventually.

Is there a message behind your artwork?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

We all know that anything is possible in a dream. You can fly among the clouds and travel to amazing destinations in mere seconds. Past, present, and future become one during sleep.

In this episode, let’s look at The Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch. This incredibly unique artwork will help us make connections between dreams and artistic inspiration.

The Garden of Earthly Delights is representative of the power of dreams, or rather nightmares. It is a highly complex artwork in content as well as appearance. Many theorize that Bosch was disturbed by visions of the underworld and that his religious fervor translated into frightening dreams. These are the images we see in the painting, and they are baffling and shocking to this day.

With this triptych, Bosch erased the boundaries between dreams and imagination. It is hard to say where dreams end, and the painter’s inventiveness starts.

Adhesives and favorite tool. 

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Likes and dislikes appear to be arbitrary. Sometimes, we don’t really know why we like what we like. Our reactions are visceral and difficult to untangle.

What are the factors that determine our individual taste? Is there such a thing as unadulterated choice?

Let’s look into the matter with an open mind. 

Nobody needs to lose their head over the color of the roses, no matter what the despotic Queen of Hearts says!

What's a cradle board?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Welcome to a conversation jam-packed with information and emotion.  Jennie Villanueva describes a period of transition in her life that is not for the faint of heart.  Her openness is a welcome breath of fresh air.  

She tells us, with her new visual work as the backdrop, of deep transformations. Her candid account is raw, yet full of hope and humor. She is the reluctant butterfly, finally breaking up with the past, free to spread her wings without fear. 

In the meantime, Jennie takes one day at a time and relies on art to heal and grow.  

Spoon theory anyone?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

What is a giclee?

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Little Mr. Dormouse can't help but falling asleep. How do we keep him engaged in the conversation? In Alice in Wonderland, he gets yelled at a lot. I don't think that's the best way at all!

He reminds me of inspiration...it tends to go offline when you least expect it. It's like someone hit the snooze button in the creative part of your brain.

What do I do to keep things flowing, you might ask? There are many different strategies, but I share a few with you that I find reliable and perhaps a bit quirky. 

These behaviors work most of the time, but sometimes you need to shake creativity by the lapels and hope that it stays with you until you're finished. 

Mr. Dormouse tells a riveting tale (whenever he's awake), so let's keep him going! Sit him on your shoulder and keep listening. He'll help you come up with the best ideas for your work!

Once you're done, you can join him for a little nap...We all need rest too!

Getting started with collage.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

I make no secret of my predilection for Oscar Wilde. His wit and command of language are superb. He coined one of my favorite quotes: “The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.” He was so right!

Today, as we sit down to a very confusing cup of tea, we think about values. What are they? How do they help us on the creative journey? 

Alice will follow her heart and so should we! The personal values we hold dear will help us align our behavior with what truly matters to us. Whether you must make difficult decisions or just trivial choices, your value system is always there pointing you in the direction of your North Star. 

Listen to your heart, and become the person you are meant to be. 

Wonderland and controversy.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Are you open to sudden waves of inspiration? Do you lead with your heart while you create? If the answer is yes, you are probably familiar with intuition. It is a force to be reckoned with.

I know intuition by another name: duende. Duende is a capricious rascal that can suddenly put incredible ideas in your head. It appears when you least expect it, and it acts as a guide of sorts. It will whisper in your ear to try this or that. It will test your ability to go with the flow and act intuitively.

Saetas are religious songs inspired by angels. You don't need to believe in any one religion to see the beauty in that metaphor. Let me tell you how I became aware of those external, spiritual forces that sometimes play a role in the creative process. Call them what you will, but leave the door to your mind ajar so that they can find you. 

The Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland is a conduit for duende. It is an unlikely source of guidance. Why did Carroll choose a cat? Perhaps because they are beings made of mystery and domesticity in equal parts. 

Stay nimble. Be ready to intuitively capture that spark that will change the course of your creative practice. You can do it.

Chronic illness and art-making.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!

Kyleigh Wiedemann invites us to her world of unbearable cuteness. 

With dedication and a keen eye for detail, Kyleigh started creating amigurumi inspired by a chance encounter. She has persevered month after month, improving her skills and showing the value of maintaining a beginner's mind. From the time she first picked up a crochet needle, no obstacle has been big enough to dissuade her from making her incredibly endearing dolls. 

They are pure joy in the smallest of packages. Amigurumi might be the creative practice you have been looking for, and Kyleigh will be the first to tell you that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. 

Mental health benefits of collage.

In this corner of Wonderland, I respond to questions sent in by listeners. So many questions, so little time!