On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
Our featured artist today is Mr. Argiope! Spouse of commenter Argiope.
Let’s give him a warm welcome.
If you would like your talent featured in the Artists in Our Midst series, send me an email message. Don’t be shy! This is the final Artists post in the queue, so please get in touch if you would like to be featured.
Greetings, Juicers, from the Argiope household where Mr. Argiope is hard at work making art most days. A fully credentialed and board-certified art therapist, he was laid off from his day job teaching art to kids at area Boys & Girls Clubs during the pandemic.
To stay off the streets and out of trouble, he started spending lots more time in his studio, cutting paper, painting, taping, gluing and other mysterious processes involving a substance called gel medium. The product is collage, not like I used to do it with magazines and paste in kindergarten, but….well, actually, kind of like that but with a lot more panache and way better results.
Mr. Argiope has a website where there is WAY MORE ART: rjamescollageart.com, and he’s on Instagram @rjamescollage. If you’re inclined, he’s happy to sell it to you (and get it out of our house).
I asked him to try to explain in words normal people might use about what he does. Here’s what he wrote:
“The word collage comes from the French word ‘coller,’ meaning “to glue”. The process is one of assemblage where the artist glues down different papers and objects onto a surface to create the aesthetic or idea desired. I use a variety of different materials in my collages; found, decorative, and discarded papers of all sorts; found objects, old stamps, cut up magazines, ticket stubs, newspapers, etc.”
“I use a variety of different adhesives as well, depending on the object or quality of the paper I am gluing down. I use a heavy acrylic gel medium for heavy papers like mat board or pieces of metal; I use a softer gel medium or even a fluid gel medium for thinner or more delicate papers. I routinely use an acid free glue stick.”
“As a collage artist I am interested in taking discarded items and combining them together to create something unique and beautiful. Collage is perhaps one of the most democratic of art forms. It is an equalizing process where what has been discarded, overlooked, or taken for granted is elevated in status as it forms a new and unique reality. It is a process of both deconstruction and reconstruction. Collage is thus a process of transformation.”
“There are two main driving forces that inform the abstract content of my work. The first and foremost is the materiality of paper and paint. I am in love with the physicality of both, and how they can play together on a surface.”
“The second is, as Paul Klee said of art, “to make visible.” I am interested in making art about what is unseen and invisible, and thereby make it known. I am interested in the intangible forces that animate and propel humans forward in their journeys; the emotional, psychological and spiritual energies that move through us, and I want to capture those energies with paint and paper for all of us to see.”
Here are some pieces he’s been working on recently. His work is featured in a couple of local galleries in our blue little Midwestern college town, and he’s at the monthly big indoor art walk that is the 78th Street Galleries’ 3rd Friday event in Cleveland.
I’ll close by sharing a little illustration of what it’s like being married to a full-time artist who is trying to make a business out of being a creative type. We go for walks in the neighborhood, and often something like this happens:
Mr. Argiope, stooping to pick up some random object from the pavement “Oh my God, that’s beautiful! Look at this!”
Me…..”it’s….a squashed soda can with some rust on it.”
Mr. Argiope: “Yes! It’s perfect! I know I’ll use that.”
Me: “………”
WaterGirl
Argiope, let us know when you and Mr. Argiope arrive!
Joy in FL
I love these collages and Mr. Argiope’s commentary. Thank you for sharing your art : )
The conversation snippet at the end reminds me of a favorite poem: “Poem for Ernest Mann” by Naomi Shihab Nye. It’s easily found by googling if you don’t know the poem and you’re curious.
Another Scott
Beautiful stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Some more art in a different form…
Cheers,
Scott.
Argiope
@WaterGirl: here! Groceries took a while.
WaterGirl
@Argiope: Is Mr. Argiope planing on commenting? I can approve the first comment right away if I know it’s coming.
Argiope
@Joy in FL:
Thanks, Joy! I did google…is it this last part that resonates? It does with us :)
“Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us
we find poems. Check your garage, the odd sock
in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.
And let me know.”
Argiope
@WaterGirl:
Hi WG, I’ll go ahead and be the scribe so we don’t have to unlock a new nym :) Thanks!
Dorothy A. Winsor
I love the concept of making the ordinary into something extraordinary. Or maybe really seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary
Redshift
Ooh, I like! (“I may not know art, but I know what I like!”)
Argiope
@Another Scott: ha!
Scout211
These art pieces are just stunning. I have always loved collage art and am always impressed with artists who can turn discarded items into art.
Mr. Argiope, your work is full of life and so beautifully expressive. Thank you for sharing.
Betty
He does a beautiful job with his found objects and artistic sense.
Mary G
At first glance, I couldn’t even see them as collages; they just looked like beautiful abstract paintings. Do you have piles and piles of material waiting to be used?
Argiope
@Scout211: Thanks so much, says Mr. A—really kind of you. It’s interesting that in the fine art world, collage is kind of considered a lesser form–glad you (and other commenters) are enjoying!
Argiope
@Mary G: Yes indeed! It’s ever-accumulating. And thank you! Mr. A started out as a painter, mostly abstract and mostly oils, and moved into collage when he became a stay-at-home dad to an infant. Oil painting and full-time care of a baby and toddler aren’t super-compatible….but collage can happen in fits and starts, at least to some extent.
Joy in FL
@Argiope: The whole poem resonates, but this part for me particularly does: “Nothing was ugly
just because the world said so. He really
liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them
as valentines and they became beautiful.
At least, to him.”
… the way Mr. Argiope reinvented that soda can.
Jacel
These collages bring to mind Kurt Schwitters’s techniques — one of my favorite creators ever — and all are worth looking at in their own right.
debbie
I love that squashed soda can!
Argiope
@Jacel: Mr. A: “Schwitters has been a major inspiration to me. I absolutely love his work. I’m humbled by the comparison–thank you!”
ETA “It’s all about the merz.”
Argiope
@Redshift: Like the hokey pokey, that’s what it’s all about :) Glad you like!
MomSense
Oh my goodness. These are so stunning. The woman walking is brilliant. They all are amazing.
Omnes Omnibus
I like.
neabinorb
I like the cubistic/Kandinsky-esque feel of these pieces. Very nice!
Baud
High quality work.
TinRoofRusted
Back in the before times, September of 2019 to be precise, we were in Edinburgh and went to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. We had planned on a quick visit. But they had a show up, Cut and Paste l 400 Years of Collage. We were there for hours and I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful and fascinating shows I have ever seen. I love the art of collage and yours are wonderful.
Argiope
@TinRoofRusted: thanks! There’s an Edinburgh Collage Collective that I follow on Instagram–they put up some nice work. I didn’t see that show but I’ve heard it was fantastic.
Argiope
@Baud: I’m sure Mr. A would be happy to work on a bespoke campaign poster–he could use bits of ripped up pants to bring home the Baud! 2024! messaging. Keep him in mind!
Catherine D.
Me want all! No place to hang, but still want!
Barbara
@TinRoofRusted: Isn’t that fun, when you wander into a museum and end up seeing something fascinating and wonderful that you weren’t expecting. Once went to Helsinki Museum of Modern Art and found a comprehensive retrospective on Robert Mapplethorpe.
I love collages. They can be so evocative when the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
Another Scott
@Argiope: [ snort! ]
Cheers,
Scott.
Sure Lurkalot
@Argiope: Wonderful composition and interplay.
Back to the accumulation of materials, how does Mr A. organize them? Color? Material? Texture?
Chris Johnson
For a second I thought the bit was going to be, he responded ONLY through other collages, without ever coming up with actual words.
That would be so delightful I’m going to pretend that’s what happened :)
Argiope
@Sure Lurkalot: So the studio has lots of bins and stacks of papers that are loosely organized by color and by size. Then once selected as possible candidates, they get put into a big pile of mixed papers. He says when he’s really in flow, it’s easy to find the right one in the pile to add in. The found objects get added along the way and live in a separate bin of rusted metal, stamps, and other bits and bobs.
Argiope
@Chris Johnson:
He says he loves that idea, Chris. You get him. As luck would have it, he married a hyper-verbal/lexical person a while back. I don’t always get him. But we’re never bored!
trollhattan
@Argiope:
{Note to self: before trying to become an artist, acquire a very large space.} :-)
Fascinating pieces, truly.
TinRoofRusted
@Barbara: Definitely! I especially like it when it happens at a museum I know well and just somehow missed out on the news of a new show.
susanna
These are fabulous! And challenged my previous perception in a very good way. I’ve always thought of collage as being a fun medium, kinda kitschy.
But these change my mind quickly and will look at those in the gallery, at some point perhaps take a class. It’s always exciting to be turned on by another’s form and idea of expression. I’ve long-liked Christo and the recent tribute to him in Paris is worth a quick look. christo art
The crushed soda can reminded me of 3 yo grandson who loves to make large homes out of those magnetic tiles for his dinosaurs. And then smashes them to bits, even when they’re uniquely arranged (space in ceiling in case T.Rex wants to sleep on his feet). We all now build and smash together. Creativity has many forms….best to give the youngest the first smash.
Also thanks for the well-written commentary.
Argiope
@susanna: Mr.A: “So glad you enjoy them! This is really what I love to hear, because I definitely want to raise up collage as an art form and move it from that kitschy place to a more museum-quality experience. Also, smashing tiles sounds fun!”
Argiope
@trollhattan: yeah, I think collage artists get to sort of be socially accepted hoarders :) But he’s on track to eventually outgrow the home studio and may have to do some serious Marie Kondo-ing of his stash or else we’ll have to move. (Narrator: Argiope does NOT want to move.)
dkinPa
Very nice. Love your work!
WaterGirl
Just want to take a minute and put in a plug for anyone who is interested in being featured in an Artists in Our Midst post to contact me by email.
Baud
@Argiope:
Oh wow. Can he top Obama’s iconic HOPE poster? I’m thinking something with pants with the word NOPE over them.
Argiope
@Baud: Definitely doable. I’ll start looking for wayward denim on our walks. College town, so I feel like the odds are decent for discarded pants.
ETA faculty have been zooming for a while now
Sure Lurkalot
@WaterGirl: I’m trying to talk my DH into it.
Thank you for the series, it’s definitely something to look forward to.
sab
I would love to see these in real life and not just on my little tablet. I feel like I am missing a lot of texture. But even tiny I love them.
Miss Bianca
oh, these are beautiful. that is all, thank you.
Baud
@Argiope:
Jeffery Toobin on your faculty? I hear he has pants to spare.
Argiope
@Baud:
Listen, don’t do the opposition’s work for them. We have to de-couple Toobin and pantsless in the eyes of the public before you announce. Here’s hoping there’s less zooming by the summer of 2023…
Baud
@Argiope:
Very asstute.
Argiope
@Baud: I see what you did there.
arrieve
@Mary G: They looked like paintings to me as well. Collage is something that I don’t seem to have any eye for and I’m always so impressed by those who do.
These are really wonderful.
Argiope
@arrieve:
Thanks, arrieve, and all! It’s been fun hanging with you this afternoon–glad you enjoyed the work! Mr. Argiope appreciates the opportunity to share it.
WaterGirl
@Argiope: Thanks so much to you and especially Mr. Argiope for sharing your talent with us!
CCL
I love them all, but I really covet the third and fourth ones down.
Wonderful…such a nice Sunday evening treat to see.
WaterGirl
Forgot to mention that we will have an Authors in Our Midst thread next week!
Combining pirates and Mars, how can you go wrong?
An Artists submission just came in, so we will have some amazing paintings the week after next. Just lovely.
Denali
Love your work! I make collages, and they can be very satisfying. Its fun when others get what one is trying to say
Emma from Miami
Brilliant work!
dexwood
@WaterGirl: Great series. Thank you. Wonderful collages. With love from a retired mixed media folk artist.
Argiope
@dexwood: We here at Chez Argiope hope this means you are retired from a job, and are now making lots of folk mixed media art. Modifiers are confusing! Glad you like the collages.
HeleninEire
Hi. Tomorrow is my birthday. And I’m spending it in my favorite place in the world. Oh. Today is my birthday in this time zone. How old am I and where am i? Yeah the second question is WAY easier than the first. Cuz I always talk about the second.
Baud
@HeleninEire:
Happy ?????
KSinMA
These are awesome! I especially love the first one.
Argiope
@HeleninEire: Happy birthdays! I think the rule is if you’ve crossed a dateline through travel, you get to celebrate two days instead of just one.
HeleninEire
@Baud: Thank you darling. You were gonna say I am 21. But you were worried you were a few years off right?
Baud
@HeleninEire:
You are much too engaging to be 21.
HeleninEire
@Argiope: No worries. I’m celebrating for a week! And it’s not even a “big” one. Next year?? Oh Holy Hell. Gonna go crazy.
CaseyL
So much fun with colors and textures! Thank you for sharing this!
dexwood
@Argiope: Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I made a good living as a folk artist until three years ago. Circumstances changed. All my work had a wood carving at its core always combined with found objects, paper, metal, feathers, glass, etc. Really, whatever attracted this old crow’s eye. Galleries closed, arthritis set in, being tired of art show setups and tear downs. Restless, though.
HeleninEire
@Baud: ? kisses to you.
Steeplejack (phone)
@HeleninEire:
Helen go bragh! ?????
Steeplejack (phone)
@Baud:
Well played. ?
Argiope
@dexwood: ah, got it. Setups and takedowns are lengthy enough with works on paper. I can imagine that wood carvings are much heavier to move! Mr. Argiope’s been having occasional framing challenges related to cranky joints lately—time and milage can make any work with the hands challenging. Here’s hoping you find a creative outlet that works for you.
Jay
@Argiope:
thank you so much.
beautiful art.
rough day made better.
thank Mister for me. ( not a Fellini film), ?
Argiope
@Jay: will do! Sorry about your rotten day. He will be glad to hear this made it a little better.
dexwood
@Argiope: Does he do his own framing? That takes skill. I’ve made frames for my wife’s work for 30 or more years. Frames for stretched canvas, frames for work under glass. I’ve always enjoyed it. She’s the true artist in our house.
KSinMA
@HeleninEire: Happy birthday, Helen!
Argiope
@dexwood:
Yes, he does some fairly simple floating frames in wood. The stuff under glass he mostly leaves to the pros because it’s so hard to get just right. He has a table saw and chop saw and handheld sanders, but no router.
Wolvesvalley
Late to the conversation as usual, but these collages are too wonderful not to comment on. The balance, the colors, the textures, the unexpected elements are amazing. The first and the sixth are my favorites.
Platonicspoof
Wonderful! Thanks to both of you.
I’m not at all artistic, but was immediately fascinated by Paul Klee’s work many years ago.
Walter Benjamin included a very moving interpretation of Klee’s ‘Angelus Novus’ in his Theses on the Philosophy of History that may resonate with the BJ commentariat:
Thanks again!
Phoenix_Rising
What a pleasant surprise! Delighted to see that the jackals are getting a taste of the rjamescollageart.com experience.
Holidays, birthdays, shipments from smaller vendors and even walks with my nephdawg create opportunities to see something anew, which is how I think of my brother-in-law’s work. The exhortation of prophecy that we are to “see things anew” is embodied in bottle caps, wrapping paper and paint.
PS please do order something that caught your eye, or make a referral to YOUR local gallery so more of these astonishing pieces can be released into the wild. The studio can be expanded but the fine-art-i-fication of collage as a medium should expand apace.