COLLAGES 2020

"Dad the Preacher" - Mixed Media Collage

Another satisfied customer! What a wonderful feeling when a repeat client picks up their commissioned project and is overwhelmed with the results. It is so humbling. “Dad the Preacher” tells the story of a hardworking father who worked for Lockheed Martin during the 1950’s. This was a time history when obtaining decent employment in the South proved difficult for a Black man. Willie Jeter not only faithfully provided for his family, he studied to fulfill his passion to become a minister. He was a devoted husband and loving father to his children. The client was very proud of her dad and these momentos are especially precious to her as her father departed this earth at an early age in her life.

"Mom c1946" - Mixed Media Collage

This client kept her Mom's photos and documents from 1946 so well preserved. It was a pleasurable experience collaborating on this piece and bringing the client’s vision to life on canvas.

Mom’s spirit was alive with her brilliant smile and the palette was kept bright with touches of gold throughout reflecting her vibrant smile. The bird with an olive branch hovers over her mom adorned in angel wings to remind the client that her mom is continuously watching over her.

The client loved the artwork so much that she is thinking of another commissioned collage.

"Wedding Bliss" - Mixed Media Collage

It’s great when a client knows exactly what she wants. The client’s daughter married at a young age and mom was excited to be able to collaborate on a piece that would reflect the harmonious years that the family spent bonding together.

As the artist sifted through the dozens of photos it was quickly apparent that this is such a loving family. Since they traveled extensively together it was decided that would be the theme throughout.

While the photo of the brides dress was slightly worn Denise incorporated white tulle and tissue paper to created a bright textural effect to the wedding dress. “Wedding Bliss” was created in celebration of 25 blissful years of happiness.

Denise included a touching personal note in the package that was presented to the couple at their anniversary celebration.

"State Farm Through the Years" - Mixed Media Collage

This mixed media collage was for a corporate client. Due to the 2020 Pandemic she explained to me that she was looking for a creative way to express appreciation for an insurance agent that was retiring at the end of the year.

The client conveyed that although the retiree was an insurance agent he was very invested in his client’s and always looked for ways to add a personal touch to his approach.

"State Farm Through the Years" depicts over the 30 years helping customers, service to his community and sharing his love of people and photography through his global travels with clients.

As Denise sifted through the hundreds of photographs she tried to paint a picture of how he integrated his love of people, family and friends and his faithful partner Kobe - the office pet he brought to work everyday that had recently expired. The hat and wings placed on the pet symbolize the Yin and Yangs of life we often experience.

Moon Shadows Triptych - Black & White Asian Paper - Collage Triptych

“Moon Shadows” created with black and white Asian papers is a popular item with clients.

This client expressed she liked the overall textural effect of the cloth like paper. The box like framing allows the soft fabric threads to hang over the edges adding another dimension to the piece.

In each piece Denise experiments with a varied combination of shapes and textures with a transparent moonlike shape being the central theme.