Welcome!

This body of work began sometime in the mid 1990's, as an experiment, seeing if I could adhere a dress to a canvas and create a painting over all the textures. "Dress painting" is a term I came up with to explain these when I simply couldn't think of anything better. Over the years they have evolved, with new elements of collage being added. Dress patterns, photographs, and embroidery all appear from time to time, as well as lino block prints, rubber stamps and gold leaf. I will use this space to explore the beginnings of this series, as well as showing my latest work. If the piece is available for sale you'll find the price at the bottom. Free shipping in the U.S. Contact me at kallencole@aol.com to purchase.

Would you like to see my full website? Head over to KathrineAllenColeman.com

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Project

So, those of you who have been watching my blog for a while know that when I'm not painting, or off at a show I am usually keeping busy with another project. The current project is "the great wall of china." A mosaic wall that will eventually go around the entire foundation of our house.
As you can see from this photo, it's been a while since I've been out on the side porch working on the wall. In the back left hand side of the photo you can see the remnants of a bird nest, we've had at least two babies hatch and move on since I've done anything significant. But I've been to the hardware store, and have a bit of time...so I'm back at it.
The main image for the wall is a sort of abstract, funky flower garden. Everywhere that is except for the two panels on either side of our chimney. Without giving up the whole story yet, these panels will have a clothes line with mosaic "laundry" hanging in the breeze. Here's what I've started...
A pair of 70's funky bell bottoms...

A souvenir t-shirt featuring a salt shaker from the Washington monument. If you know Ed Brownlee you'll recognise some tiles at the top that he made for me for this part.

A flowery bra made from a couple of hand painted tiles I bought on a trip to Southern France...talk about hardly being able to stand to break something...

And finally a pair of Y-front undies made from some beautiful frosted glass tile left over from Jennifer and David Garr's new house at the beach. I doubt this is what David had in mind when he gave me the leftover bits.
That's the progress at the moment, I still have a parade of animals to place along the bottom, and a whole background to fill. But I promise to post when these parts are finished, just don't hold your breath!