Their images; the juxtaposition of the different elements and the materials really speak to me - love it!
I've had fun creating some 'Retro Ladies' aceos / art cards the past couple of nights.
There were polyester and pantsuits everywhere in the 70s!
Part of the reason why I was motivated to make these beauties was our BrisStyle 'Etsy Ekka Extravaganza' Sale which starts Saturday. The deal I am offering is 15% off storewide as well as a free aceo with orders over $15 ... so, I thought some fresh new faces were in order for the 'aceo' section in my shop!
Jonathan Tse Portrait of an Australian 
Tracey Bush British butterflies
And I was also told about Brian Dettmer's books - so intricately cut and precise and lovely! He cuts around the illustrations in old textbooks and encyclopedias to make new, layered images with the book covers. As found on this blog.
I wonder, though, whether these works would’ve looked so ‘delicious’ on the day they were made? The paper would not have had that yellowed, old-fashioned look … and they would’ve been made with contemporary bits of ephemera that people were familiar with. I wonder whether most of my love of these collages comes because of their age and nostalgic sense. It’s true that you can’t artificially ‘age’ a piece of paper or other ephemera so that it looks authentic (all through my uni days I tried … and tried!) – you just have to wait, be patient and collect the little treasures as they come your way!
I have a gorgeous little hard-covered sketch book that a dear friend gave me that I have done quite a few little collages in. Here’s one I made recently using and old National Geographic image, a little playing card and a bit of Chinese joss paper … it doesn’t yet have that lovely nostalgic yellow ... maybe in a few decades?!
