Jan and I have another installment of our Collabo series today, this time between two lovely artists and friends: Jen McCleary and Alison Corrie. Jen and Alison collaborated on a couple of collage books that are really cool. They make the actual books by hand and then take turns adding to the pages with collage, paint, drawing, etc. building upon each other's work. And they also sell prints made from scans of their book pages- awesome!
Read on to hear how Alison got involved with and contributed to the project, and then head over to Scoutie Girl to read Jen's perspective!
Which came first: the idea or the partnership? Who approached whom?
If I remember correctly, I think it was the idea that came first. I had
been experimenting in book binding and collaging for a while. I
imagined a project in which a handmade book would pass between two
artists. I liked the idea that the content of the book was the result
of four hands, four eyes, and two brains. It was a very casual
collaborative culmination. Jen and I were friends and I was already a
huge appreciator of her work. We both do a lot of cutting and pasting
so I thought the partnership could work together well.
What is the nature of your collaboration? (did one of you purchase the rights to use the other’s artwork, do you both receive revenue from sales, is the artwork on-loan for a limited time or # of pieces….)
We both share the revenue from sale of our postcards and archival
prints, which are scanned from the pages of our collaborative books.
The commercial side did not come until much later. I would say that I
participated in the exchange as an opportunity to make art for art's
sake. It wasn't until Jen started scanning and posting the pages on her
website that I thought, hey, I like seeing this work out of context
from the books and I think other people will too.
How did coordinate the project work and determine who will do what?
The coordination of the project was very simple: we had one handmade
book that for an undetermined amount of time, one of us would work in
and then mail to the other. Then we started a second book so that each
of us could always play and build on something. Usually the books make
several rounds between us before we give a collective nod and decide
they are finished. Jen naturally took the reins and handles the
archival print orders and sales.
Is the collabo ongoing or was it a one-and-done deal?
The collaboration is ongoing and I hope it remains so. It's like
Christmas Day when I receive a book from Jen! With the turn of each
page, it's like opening a present in seeing how the pages have grown
and evolved since I last added to them.
What made you want to partner your art with someone else’s?
I think it was the curiosity of what would happen!
Do you work with other artists to create collaborative pieces?
I have worked with other artists in the past to create work
collaboratively and all of the experiences have been amazing! I feel
that some of strongest work I have ever made was in collaborative
projects.
Do you have any suggestions for other artists who are considering a collaborative project?
Communication and compromise are pretty key elements when working
collaboratively. My favorite part of working with someone else is
having a brainstorming session. Sometimes your own ideas become
stronger when you have another person's input.
If you could work with any other artist to create a piece together (famous and/or deceased included), who would it be and what would you make?
Wow, that is a huge question! I really enjoy the collage work of Max Ernst, Jonathan Hernandez, Henrik Olesen, John Stezaker, Eduardo Recife, and Alexis Mackenzie.
It would be interesting to participate in book exchange or perhaps
create a giant work on paper with any of those artists. I have always
been curious about animation so one day I'd like to do a collaboration
with an animator and create a short film. Polina Soloveichik is an artist I have worked with in the past and
I'd like to do projects in the future with her. Amongst the many
beautiful things she does are murals which I have never done before. It
could be interesting to step outside of my comfort zone and find myself
on a ladder with a paintbrush and see what happens!
Thank you Alison! It's great to hear how these pieces took shape. See more of Alison's work in her etsy shop, and purchase some prints here.
