Category: collage

Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, painting, thoughts about art

Spring Is Not Here Yet, but the Sap is Rising

We can only guess what flowers mean in dreamsPaper collage, 2014Molly Larson Cook My grandmother was the quintessential gardener in her small Oregon town. Roses, lilies, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, daffodils, pansies, hollyhocks, gladiola, iris, every kind of garden flower – each in its season, year after year after year.  Her gardening was legendary in that town, and the local florist/garden store often gave her new … Continue reading Spring Is Not Here Yet, but the Sap is Rising

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art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, thoughts about art

Learning New Things

Making small objects like Christmas ornaments is not quite in my wheelhouse, but members of the local Art Guild do this annually for the Holiday Market. And I’m now a member, so I’m learning this new thing and I’ll admit, once I got going I found it fun. The first dozen are finished and ready to go. I’m working now on another dozen and reminding … Continue reading Learning New Things

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art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, thoughts about art

Art, Possibilities, a Little Jazz, and Change

I’m back this week with Robert Henri’s fine book, The Art Spirit, to which I return often for his wisdom and generous thoughts about art and artists. Henri did not write about abstract art or collage, but he did write about how artists work and that has not changed in most ways since the book was first published in 1923, 100 years ago. I have … Continue reading Art, Possibilities, a Little Jazz, and Change

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, thoughts about art

Layer Upon Layer

Now, now is the summer of our discontent as we get through heat waves, wildfire smoke and other assorted summer troubles like allergies. But as our most notorious politician has learned, whining doesn’t help. So we’ll put on our grown-up summer togs and get to work. In art, as in any worthwhile endeavor, the learning never stops. And I learned something about my own work … Continue reading Layer Upon Layer

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, thoughts about art

Collage Is the Perfect Art to Teach Old Dogs New Grooves

I’ve done collage art for many years, but now that I’m spending much more serious time with it, I’m aware of the many things I do not know. To paraphrase a famous writer (you’ll recognize him): “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in painting and collage.“ For me, collage – like love – is a many-splendored thing, and I’ve … Continue reading Collage Is the Perfect Art to Teach Old Dogs New Grooves

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, painting, thoughts about art

Back to Work

My sales space is now up and running at the Linn County Art Guild sales and gift gallery, thanks to other helpful artists who were at the gallery during the days I was setting up. It’s a community of artists, and I appreciated all the help and encouragement. So back to work, and I’m eager to be at it again. Pondering the shift now back … Continue reading Back to Work

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, thoughts about art

Takin’ Care of Business!

And so it begins…a new turn in my art life. The gallery jury said yes, and I’m in at the Linn County Art Guild Sales Gallery. The rest will be some kind of personal history. It’s quite a change at a time in my life when big changes were not expected. But this is where being an artist and being an entrepreneur come together, and … Continue reading Takin’ Care of Business!

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, thoughts about art

New Gallery, New Path, New Work

​I have often quoted an old bit of wisdom as it relates to art:  “When your horse dies, get off.” For whatever reasons this little piece of advice, which I first read in Bayles & Orland’s Art and Fear, tickles me. It’s so flat out logical. I’m a reasonably agreeable person, not unwilling to change my mind or my direction when necessary (aka when the horse dies!), and … Continue reading New Gallery, New Path, New Work

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, painting, thoughts about art

Knowing My Story and Possible Changes In My Day

​I subscribe to a jazz site that offers advice for wannabe jazz cats. In fact, the name of the site is simply “JazzAdvice.” I’m not a wanna be jazz cat, but I always find something in the lessons that relates to my art. The latest post included a statement that went straight to my jazz-loving art heart. The authors/advisors, writing about the blues, noted that … Continue reading Knowing My Story and Possible Changes In My Day

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Abstract Expressionism, art, collage, mixed-media, Molly Larson Cook paintings, painting, thoughts about art

Artist in the Garden

Stuck. Every creative knows the feeling. Whether you’re stuck without new ideas or stuck on a project that seemed like a good idea in the window but not when you got it home or stuck because the heat has drained you of every ounce of creative energy, you’re stuck. I have a cup I bought at the Wooden Boat Show in Portland, Maine, years ago. … Continue reading Artist in the Garden

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