Everything is Collage
The soundtrack beneath it all
Hello dear friends,
I’m in the studio perusing the array of projects sitting on the work tables. Outside, the city is in various states of preparing for the day. The sun is streaming through my front window at an angle that tells me somehow, inexplicably, summer is almost here.
When I left home to teach in Maryland a few weeks ago, the trees were still brown with only the tiniest hint of budding and when I returned just eight days later, everything was in full bloom. Such is life in the Midwest, even here in Chicago. Where Spring is one of my favorite seasons but seems to be the most fleeting.
As I piece together new works and prepare what I’ll be sending off to Cappeart Gallery for the new season in Door County, the soundtrack playing beneath it all is a steady flow of tires on pavement, the squeak of brakes signaling the bus has arrived on time at the corner, conversation flows from the sidewalk in streams throughout the day.
Everything, to this artist anyway, is collage.
It is a mix of sites, sounds, experiences, daydreams and weather. It is life being lived and evidence of the times, and that which has come before us. It is cracks in the sidewalk and the chatter of birds gathered in treetops. It is the scent of freshly mown grass, with a tinge of baked goods and tamales, and the bell of the handcart that signals the ice cream vendor happens to be heading down my street.
This is the content that I pour into my work. Whether I’m piecing together textiles and paper, or creating containers and finding unique ways to display it all, I am an assembler of materials. A conduit of stories, that flow through the senses into my heart, out of my hands connecting me to each of you.
Read on for today’s news.
With gratitude,
Crystal Marie
Artwork Comings and Goings
All of my work is for sale but I’ve been lax about saying so of late. I’ll be listing new works and posting details for a small works on paper sale in an upcoming post, meanwhile if ever you see me post something that catches your heart, don’t hesitate to message me. Here are a few recent comings and goings of my work:
Women of One Thousand Flames
10” x 10” x 2.5”
Collage Mixed Media
I’m excited to share that Women of One Thousand Flames has Sold and is heading off to it’s new owner.
This one began as a demo piece during my Visual Alchemy workshop, where I had the opportunity to share some of my stories and listen to the women gathered around the studio tables share their own. Each one coming from different backgrounds and experiences.
It is an incredible thing to be in their midst— to hear what they’ve carried and how they’ve nurtured. Each one is a flame, together lighting the way.
I was very happy to send these three works home with a new collector last month. Two from my current inventory, which always makes me happy, and one that captured the collectors heart so much I was persuaded me to let it go before I’d planned.
Intimate Roots
12” x 30”
Collage Mixed Media
Begin Again
12” x 30” x 2.5”
Collage Mixed Media
The Living (sans frame)
11” x 20”
Collage Mixed Media on Paper
Three new works are heading off to Cappaert Contemporary Gallery in Door County for the new season. Available to purchase, along with several of my other collage works, on location and online.
Workshop News
Alchemy Cloth: Working with textiles in Mixed Media and Collage
June 5-7, 2026
Studio Joy; Kansas City, MO
In June, Alchemy Cloth takes place at Studio Joy in the artist-rich, urban landscape of Kansas City, where layers of culture, rhythm, and movement inform a tactile exploration of textile, memory, and form.
As this workshop approaches, I’ve begun to finalize details for the itinerary of our days together and growing in my excitement for this one.
Day one will find us foraging for materials in the residential neighborhood behind the studio, looking for branches to make marks and other elements to incorporate into the work. I’ll lead the class in a series of group and individual mark-making exercises and prompts, laying down the first layers on our gathered materials.
Day two we’ll focus on the flow of ink and paint, rust and pigment, layer upon layer in creating the elements to be used in our final creations. A pile of possibilities will be salvaged, stained, marked, and painted by our own hands.
Day three we will pull it altogether to create textile works for display. Each participant will be the author of their own design, with guidance in creating textile banners, flags, and collages on cloth. I’ll support your ideas to create scrolls or textile books, or anything else you may dream up.
The host studio is a large inspiring space. The perfect environment for this workshop. Now is the time to register if you’ve been considering joining me for this one.
2026 Workshop Schedule
January 4, 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 2026 — A month of Sundays: 5-week Collage series; Noon-2pm CST, online — Recordings available here
April 22-27, 2026 — Visual Alchemy: making your mark in mixed media collage; Red Thread Retreat, hosted by Lesley Riley — details here — SOLD OUT
May 9th, 2026 — World Collage Day: A Collage Workshop—details here—SOLD OUT
June 5-7, 2026 — Alchemy Cloth; Studio Joy, Kansas, City MO hosted by Amanda Jolley — details here
August 6-9, 2026 — Three one day collage focused workshops at Studio 11 by Vivi Magoo. Phoenix, AZ. Details coming soon.
October 2-4, 2026 — Material Alchemy: Developing Layers of Meaning and Magic in Mixed Media; Bellissima Art Studio, Port Orchard, WA hosted by Kathie Vezzani — details here
Beautiful work.
Crystal I love what you said about a conduit to your heart, out your hands to others. I think we are joined by that flow, contributing and taking from it. Anyway, thank you. It resonated deeply and I appreciate that.