Artist Statement
I am currently making whimsical, small mixed media sculptures of figures such as elves, fairies, cats and birds. Calling these artworks - FOMI - Figments of My Imagination struck me as very on point for my slightly eccentric sculptures, as each draws solely from my own creative invention. Each figure is completely unique in its sculpted expression, body shape and size, and the color palette used.
All my art is inspired by the human need for play and seeks to bring joy and a sense of wonder to the viewer. My mixed media art brings together paper clay, paint, fabric, collage materials, and multiple skills.
The common threads in my art whether painting, collage or other mediums are bold colors, high contrast, texture, and layers.
In painting and collage, I make abstract and "folk art" style pieces with themes of nature - plants and trees as well as animals . Bringing together color and texture and repetition, I create pattern and shape and build an image that is pleasing and engaging.
I love to experiment and have worked in many mediums - fiber arts, printmaking, painting, collage, altered books and journals. All these practices come together in my work today
See my "Meet the Maker" post for more details.
Bio
Colleen works from her Lambertville, NJ studio. Since finding her way to art practice in 2011, she has studied with many teachers, and attended art retreats and conferences. Being a journalist for many years, she started making altered books and journals. This led to her current work in mixed media.
In the last decade, Colleen has participated in many open studios and art tours as well as shows and exhibitions. She has artworks in the Amano Gallery in Lambertville and the retail store Dandelion Wishes in Hopewell Borough.
Colleen volunteers for HomeFront’s Artspace, which brings creativity and art to those trying to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. She believes deeply in the power of art to heal and build self confidence.
Colleen grew up in South Jersey and graduated from Rutgers in 1984 with a communications degree. She also minored in photography. Later, she also studied media management at the University of Missouri Graduate School of Journalism. She spent more than three decades working in journalism, public relations, and finally web and social media strategy.
She currently resides in Lawrence with her husband and two shelter cats and has a fascination with archeology.
Exhibits
- "The Mix," Joe Ressarts Strasser, Frenchtown, May 2025.
- Artists of Tour Des Arts, Capital Health Medical Center, Hopewell, NJ, Jan-April 2025.
- Hopewell Tour Des Arts, Hopewell, NJ, Sept. 2024
- Solo Exhbit, Mercer County Library Headquarters, Lawrence, NJ, Sept. 2024
- "Tiny Sacred Journal" displayed in Artist Colleen Attara's show, Artwkrd, Newtown, Pa., August 2024
- Makers' Alley Summer Show, Frenchtown, NJ, July-Sept. 2024
- Small Works Exhibit, "Bridging Nature," Whittemore Community, Culture & Conservation, Old Wick, NJ - May 3-June 30, 2024
- Spring for the Arts Festival, Main Street, Lawrenceville, NJ - April 27, 2024
- Solo Exhibit, “Threads of Nature: Mixed Media Works,” Lambertville Free Public Library, Lambertville, NJ – January 4- February 14, 2024
- Featured Artist, Treasure Trove, Hopewell, NJ – November 4 & 5, 2023
- Art All Day, Artworks, Trenton, NJ – September 2023
- Summer Art Exhibit, ‘The Brookwood Cafe, Hamilton, NJ – July – Aug 2023
- Beyond Pink Art Show, YWCA Breast Cancer Resource Center, West Windsor, NJ – Oct 2022-Jan 2023
- ArtJam, Pop-up Gallery, Homefront’s ArtSpace, Princeton, NJ – 2017-2024
- The Holiday House, Market, Metuchen, NJ – December 2022
- HomeFront Holiday Market, Lawrence, NJ – November 2022
- Open Studio, Lambertville, NJ – October 2022
- THAT – The Hunterdon Art Tour – April/May 2022, work in Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
- The Second Half (50 & Older), Laguna Beach, CA (online), May 2021
- HomeFront Holiday Market, Ewing, NJ – November 2019
- Art All Day, Artworks, Trenton, NJ – November 2016-2019
- Artworks 10 X 10 Show, Trenton, NJ- December 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
- Ellarslie Open 35 Juried Exhibit, Trenton, NJ – May – July 2018
- Gratitude Show, Creative Collective/HomeFront’s ArtSpace, Ewing, NJ – November 2016 – January 2017
- Creative Collective, PEAC Fitness, Ewing, NJ– January 2017
- Creative Collective, Mercer County Public Library, Hopewell – March 2016
- Creative Collective, Mercer County Public Library, West Windsor – May 2016
- Botany & Zoology, South Brunswick Municipal Gallery, South Brunswick – April-May 2016
Get My Emails! Get on my email list for updates about my studio life, art shows and more.