Sugar High

© Sugar High: It Was For His Own Safety
That Humphrey Was Tethered (2012)
mixed-media collage: vintage illustration,
embroidery thread & Russian print,
Monet exhibition catalog,  Italian wrapping paper
& publisher's catalog; ink; watercolor; acrylic sealer;
5.5" x 11.5" on archival mat board. Matted & framed.
Price: $150 (SOLD)

In my mind, Humphrey - whose name has changed three or four times already - was destined to float. At first, I tried to squeeze him into the 5" x 5" format I was using for pieces that will be in The Art of Food exhibit. I liked the idea of him being cramped - but part of him would've been chopped and there wasn't enough air surrounding him to show that he was up in the air.

Looking around the studio, my eyes landed on an oblong mat. Once Humphrey was placed inside it, I knew I was going larger. That, in turn, led to a second series of six collages for the show using the same long, narrow format.