Mixed Media 

 

I am an Assemblage Artist. I make things. One-of-a-kind things.
Until about 15 years ago, I thought someone could only be called an 'artist' if they were able to draw, paint, or sculpt... and had formal training of some kind. At that time most, if not all, of what I knew about ART came from Vacation Bible School projects and Art Appreciation 101 (in which I did NOT excel!!)
I also thought you needed to wear a beret, drink a lot, and be very moody and dark to REALLY be an artist, but... that's another story!!
I thought that an ART piece was something you framed and hung on your wall, made into a fountain, or put a flower in.  I never really considered the things I made to be anything other than colorful, oddball, fun stuff that I played around with. After all, how could my stuff be art when most of it was just found objects (i.e. cool-looking zipper pull found in a parking lot, old 50's matchbooks in the back of a drawer, etc.) or items people gave me (i.e. a huge bucket of wine corks, 300 large safety pins, etc.) glued together.  My canvas may be anything from Styrofoam to concrete.  Assemblage artists go through a lot of glue, spray adhesive, and duct tape!!!
I guess you could call me an 'after-market' artist since I don't actually create anything from scratch like a painter or a sculptor does...  I bring things together to illustrate my thoughts or feelings, or to tell a story, but I don't just use old stuff or found stuff.  No.  Some things are purchased to create, compliment, or complete a piece I may have had in my head for weeks, months, or even years.  I once (...well, maybe twice...) cleaned out the dice inventory of the local Dollar Tree Store to finish a piece and create a bunch more.  I love colorful dice...
My assemblage process goes something like this...  When inspiration hits, I 'assemble' various items as I saw it in my head, felt it in my heart and/or believed it in my soul.  The finished pieces have always been merely illustrations of my thoughts, feelings and experiences.  I would draw, paint, or sculpt them, if only I had any of those gifts.
One of the things I enjoy the most about my art is that it provides a different perspective, it makes people laugh, or moves them to ask questions, or at least makes them think.  
 
Thanks for your interest,

Nancy Clifton -aka Radrover
Radroverarts@yahoo.com