“Afloat” Image. Ceres Gallery. New York Solo Show.
This one is shown in its exhibition frame. I am back in town and have access to all my photos. This was intentionally done as a “Close-Encounters” thing. The traveling lights in the distance. About to land.
These collages evolved from the whimsical idea of cutting up magazines and seeing what I could do with no paint involved, as I was accustomed to using. I did one, then two. I had so much fun just “playing” (always hating that expression when it comes to artwork, because art is hard WORK.)
My solo show loomed ahead and subject matter was undecided.
I had been working on a video. I worried about focusing only on the video for the show. Working under pressure is never good. And doing animation is meticulous. Being meticulous and being nervous don’t go together.
I decided to continue with these collages, thinking “Oh, I am having so much FUN, it will be easy to RELAX and do them….100 of them….for the solo show.”
I should not admit this, but looking back, I really don’t think making them was FUN. All principles of doing art were involved. And certainly, when I hit 26, after slaving away, the rest seemed to be a torturous number. Looming in the distance.
Much like these space crafts about to land.
Hollis Hildebrand-Mills 
Just got in from work, sitting here with a cup of tea – lovely to find this picture on the top of my reader.
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Thank you.
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I find once I finish a difficult task, looking back it never seems so hard as while working on it. Probably so I will continue on another. Its obvious how much hard work you put into the show! Makes me think fall is on the way.
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Thanks! Yes I’m like that too! I look at these and forget how much work. But they were all work out of love of the process.
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Hard to explain: love solving the puzzles that doing art requires, but 100 is a lot of puzzles, once I started counting down. There I think that says it best!
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I’ve been enjoying your blog, Hollis – seeing the images of your new work and learning a bit about your thought process. I look forward to future posts!
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It’s funny how much harder things are to do once you’ve commited to a certain something – whether it is 100 pictures or a daily blog (speaking from personal experience!) – but also sometimes it gives you the motivation to keep going. I imagine the finished collection looks amazing, well worth the effort.
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Thank you! You do understand. You are right, the blog keeps me going. And to review these pieces after they have been shown in a group is teaching me something. It’s like a gallery show on the internet. To look at them close up like this again, individually.
Thanks for your appreciation. I enjoy your blog too, Writer / Mummy!!!!!!!! I really do.
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