History often documents the Big Moments and the Large Characters, Heroic, Colorful or Criminal. Some of the vintage photos I collect and use in my art reveal the small moments, weddings, baptisms, graduations, birthdays--the real stuff of life. Other photos are staged and the people are still so little can be discerned about them.

I study all these photos and then create visual narratives sometimes using the moment captured by the camera to re-create the story but usually creating an entirely new story. When I first began creating these found object books the stories were abstract commentaries, recently I began using the plots of fairy tales to direct the design of the books. Amazingly, these stories remain powerful because I can envision what the prince will look like and who the good fairy will be. I try to surprise my readers with my own interpretations of the characters.

I also use the photos as canvases and create assemblages so the story remains quite contained within the limits of the actual photo. I call these my Rogue's Gallery.

Vintage photos are my favorite art supply, rusty metal is my second. I enjoy rescuing these families and individuals from sale barns and flea markets and giving them new stories.

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"Pronouncing Exploits Altered Book"

Pronouncing exploits is an altered book that explores themes ranging from secrets to societal expectations using vintage photos, ephemera and found objects.

$185 includes UPS Shipping

"Winston Dictionary Altered Book"

The cover and definitions are taken from an old dictionary.  The definitions describe the vintage photos which focus on family, love and marriage.

$185 includes UPS Shipping

"Home and Family Hinged Altered Book"

"Bless the four cornes of this house And be the lintel blest And bless the hearth and bless the board And bless each place of rest  And bless each place of rest."  This hinged book features vintage hymn, altered photo of house and lots of color and texture.

$85 includes USPS Priority Shipping

"A Small Boy Assemblage"

assemblage featuring vintage photo, ephemera and found text

6x8x1.5inch

$125 includes shipping

"Sleeping Beauty"

This is an original revisioning of the classic Sleeping Beauty told with vintage photos, texture, found objects and other unique details.  The book features 6 two-page collages beginning with Once upon a time and ending Happily ever after. (I can provide more photos of the other pages upon request.)

12x12 assemblage

$200 includes shipping