When I introduce myself as an artist people will generally ask me what kind of art I make. When I tell them “assemblage art” I often see a glazed, uncomprehending look in their eyes. It isn’t until I mention that assemblage is a three dimensional form of collage that they start to get some inkling of what I am talking about. One of the aspects I love the most about this art form is the hunting and gathering of the objects that have the power to tell the stories I want to tell. I am a perpetual scavenger and I love searching through antique malls, flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, catalogs and ebay.
Objects can elicit an emotional response or trigger an association in very powerful ways. I am frequently asked if the concepts for my art start with the objects I use or with an idea or phrase and it actually works both ways. Sometimes an object naturally leads me to the words and construction of a piece, but at other times I will conceive of an art piece and then have to find the objects that will visually represent my idea.
