In January 2014, I got a cell phone with a standard cell phone camera capable of taking HDR photos. I took more photos in 2014 than in many years with my digital camera.  Driving across the country and living in Baton Rouge, Louisiana inspired me to rely on my phone to document a wide range of visual inspirations.  My motto is "Stop a moment to take a photo.".  My trip to the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, New Mexico in September was hugely inspiring.  Even the daily routine of walking with my dog in Los Angeles, has given me reason to pause and compose a shot.  Here is a random sample of photos from the past year, one from each month.   I am looking forward to refining several photographic series and continuing to flow with the inspiration.  Happy New Year 2015!  

Companion piece to "Baby Superman", "Baby Zod" is showing in the 16th Recycle Santa Fe Juried Art Exhibit, December 5-7, 2014.  

Step one: concept and inspiration.  "Baby Superman" was inspired by the idea of recreating the pod that Superman travels to Earth in as a baby fleeing his home planet.  "Baby Zod" ponders a similar journey for General Zod, with varying influences.  The companion pieces create a Light vs Dark scenario.  Part of the challenge was utilizing found and recycled materials. 

Step Two: Design layout

Step Three: Collage

Step Four: Finish work. Create the illusion of technology with bit and pieces of found and recycled material.

Details of completed work "Baby Zod": 14" x 11", Mixed media collage 

Materials: Basic structure, Masonite box - abandoned project of artist I share studio with (aka husband)

Found, recycled, gifted and yard sale Materials:

See's Candy wrapping
Various Christmas wrapping paper and gift bags 
Image - clothing store bag
Tie Rack packaging: celebrating 500 years of Paisley 
Baby Jesus - sidewalk sale at sewing factory downtown Los Angeles
Chess pieces - pawns - gifted to me for my frames
Keyboard keys - old keyboard
black and gold glitter - gifted
smile - dentist's post card
words on cubes, game pieces gifted to me
Dejour magazine collage pieces, magazine is free to Academy members
Envelope from AMPAS, annual dues letter, tiny Oscar design
Black Easter basket grass - gifted
faux gems, framing supplies collected over 3 decades
small nuts and bolts
nurnies and sprues, parts from model building kits
buttons
jack 
metal objects found on walks
sequins
computer parts found on walks
toy parts
Black plastic "crystals" -found chandelier
safety pins - yard sale box of 10 gross Prym Dritz - making safety pins since 1559

Non recycled materials:

Gesso
Acrylic paint
Mod Podge
Liquitex Gloss Medium
Elmer's Wood Glue Max
Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Nova Color Texture Paste
Hanging hardware

"Baby Superman" was inspired by the idea of recreating the pod that Superman travels to Earth in as a baby fleeing his home planet.  "Baby Zod", companion piece, ponders a similar journey for General Zod, with varying influences.  These two pieces create a Light vs Dark scenario.  Part of the challenge was utilizing found and recycled materials.

"Baby Superman", alt title "Super Baby Man", companion piece to "Baby Zod"
Dimensions: 14" x 11" x 3" Mixed Media

Materials
Basic structure Masonite box - abandoned project of artist I share studio with (aka husband)


Found, recycled, gifted and yard sale Materials:
Foil: recycled from foil leggings I wore to keep my cat, Peanut Butter, from biting my ankles
Padding in corners, under foil, paper towels from painting project
Used Holographic wrapping paper saved for appropriate project
Baby Jesus - sidewalk sale at sewing factory, downtown Los Angeles
Crystals - from chandeliers salvaged from Santa Monica Pussycat Theater when it sold
Bow - from Christmas
Bicycle reflector - not sure
Stars, faux gems, sequins from my framing supplies
Exterior of box - keys and hardware saved over the years

Non recycled materials:
Gesso
Acrylic paint
Mod Podge
Liquitex Gloss Medium
Elmer's Wood Glue Max
Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Nova Color Texture Paste
Hanging hardware