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Carrie Tasman — mixed media collage

The Arts Center Exhibitions:

• 'Portals,' Winter Show & Silent Auction, 2011

Artist's Statement, 'Moon Out My Window:'

     mixed media collage, 10" x 10"

I begin with rolled sheets of polymer clay, which I paint, silkscreen, stamp, transfer, or paint designs and patterns onto. I also build patterns with sheets and rolls of clay called millefiori canes, these canes vary from stripes, checkerboards, to a very complex "flowers". I can slice about 20-30 repeatable patterns from one “cane”. These are my collage components. I cut, shape, fit, and rearrange my components, and when the pieces are positioned to my satisfaction, I carefully apply pressure to create adhesion, cure the piece, and mount on board for display.

The polymer clay collage medium appeals to my expressive style, my saturated color palette, and my quirky sensibility. I love repeating visual patterns, fabrics and wallpaper and they play nicely off my motifs of tables, flowers, portals that inhabit my compositions. The flat arrangement of color and shape, pattern beside pattern, is at the heart of all of my creative “work”, and is a versatile way of perceiving the world that provides me with endless possibilities that I create with the joy of fresh discovery.

Tasman’s renaissance-woman background includes forest fire fighter, graphic designer for CH2M Hill, fish tagger, door-to-door apple saleswoman, gallery promotions coordinator, dog portrait painter, freelance illustrator, and polymer clay craftswoman. Tasman lives in Corvallis, Oregon, studied at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Oregon State University after receiving the Norma Seibert scholarship. She has shown throughout the west, and is the recipient of “Best in Show” at several prestigious North West shows.

Visit Carrie Tasman's website.