Chicago Tribune-Midwest Collage Society, Exhibit-"Reflections Within and Beyond

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If  the word "collage" evokes images of grade school projects using magazine pictures, you're in for a tremendous surprise when you see the imagination, creativity and artistic talent conveyed in the diverse collages created by 35 participating artists from the Midwest Collage Society. Come see "Reflections Within and Beyond" in the Kavanagh Gallery at Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Sept. 2 through Oct. 10. A reception will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 4 pm.

Reflected images, observations, impressions, feelings and more were all contributing factors in some of the most extraordinary collages you've ever seen. Using a wide range of materials including handmade papers, found objects, twigs, feathers, paint, fabric and more, the works of art in this exhibit illustrate what the artists most yearn to express.

Artist Sally Tibbetts from Mt. Prospect, IL said her work is inspired by almost everything: nature, mood, cloudy day, sunny day, sometimes a poem or music.

"Inspiration comes from everywhere for me. I do a lot of photography and take walks with my camera, finding the 'undiscovered' and merging (the images) into my collages," Tibbetts said. "Usually I start with an acrylic wash and begin to build layers using hand made papers, magazines, stamps, crayons, acrylics, strings -- well, pretty much anything that falls into my path. I love crows and they appear in lots of my pieces."

Each collage artist's works are unique unto themselves, and inspiration comes in many different forms, depending on the artist.

"The natural world is a very holy, mysterious place for me. There are layers and layers of life and energy which surround us with love and support," said artist Rachelle Barmann of Naperville, IL. "I duplicated the trees (in the pieces in this show) intuitively, later discovering that I had created a Tree of Life, an image rich in spiritual symbolism and meaning. I see the tree now as symbolic of grounding, support and strength, of the layers of life and circumstances and yet the constancy of who we are in the world."

Even the process and the materials used may vary greatly, from artist to artist. Barmann actually makes a collage and then transforms it into a uniquely captivating image.

"My process is to scan a completed collage, in this case a collage made with papers, which I made using a variety of techniques, and layer it with a photograph I had taken -- in this case a tree," she said. "I convert the photo to black and white and then experiment with the blending modes until I get an image that speaks to me."

The Midwest Collage Society (MCS), founded in 2003, promotes collage as fine art by providing exhibit opportunities and professional development activities to its members.
There are over sixty members in MCS from the greater Chicago area and northwest Indiana. Fine Line is pleased to host this exhibit of area artists' works.

Two galleries are included on Fine Line's campus. The Dempsey Gallery is located inside the barn and features members' artwork. The spacious Kavanagh Gallery hosts a number of exhibits, featuring local, national and international artists, throughout the year. Fine Line's campus and galleries are open Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to Fine Line's exhibits and events, a full slate of art classes for adults are offered throughout the year. Unique workshops taught by guest artists are also offered each session.

Fine Line Creative Arts Center is located at 37W570 Bolcum Rd. in St. Charles Come see all this renowned art center in St. Charles has to offer! For more information, visit: www.fineline.org, or call: 630-584-9443.