Button Collages

Laste last year, I started taking my collages to small art fairs around LA. I've met a bunch of cool artists who've welcomed this outsider to participate in their scene. In January I got myself invited to table at a DIY art sale in downtown LA, hosted by Knack Ink Collective, Pins Pins Pins. I was stoked to wrangled the invite.

The event was themed around custom enamel--or cloisonne--pins, which unfortunately isn't a thing I do yet--someday but not now). I do have a 1.25" professional button press though and back in Phoenix I used to make runs for the gallery I ran and Simpsons trivia nights I co-hosted. The idea of incorporating buttons into new collages felt like a good challenge, because I didn't want to make the collage feel secondary or disposable, nor I didn't want the works as a whole to feel like a weak gimmick. I also wanted to be able to make them live at the event.

"Cracker" Collage made with vintage books/magazines, packaging, and custom button. 9" X 6" JRC

I'm happy to say it was a successful experiment: I had a good time, met some more folx, and sold a few pieces. I've kept making the button collages, and am also expanding by adding vintage jewelry and other reclaimed items into the pieces.

“Fortune”, 7" X 6.25" Collage with removeable/wearable costume jewelry by JRC