Jen Worden - Mixed Media Artist

Jen January 14th, 2008

100 Artists Show at Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, Salem Oregon starting February 5, 2008.

This year we received the above box, an 8 x 8" square about 2" deep. Our theme is "What’s Inside" with the added suggestion of asking a 3 -12 year old some questions and including their answers inside. And even though it is a box, we were encouraged to use the outside as our primary focus. I’ve been SO ensconced in assemblage this past fall into Christmas time that the very idea of NOT using all that lovely inner depth was very difficult. I mulled and pondered while continuing my other tasks. I ended up doing a mind map to figure out all the potential meanings of "What’s Inside". There were LOTS!

But that box depth kept nagging and nagging until I realized that I could really use it to my advantage. I’ve often thought of myself as that proverbial duck - calm cool collected on the top all the while paddling like mad underneath - and decided to translate that very idea. So I created a collage/assemblage inside the box, using imagery to enforce all my mind map points - strength and body parts and heart - both as an organ and as a concept - emotions, anger and all those other wonderful things that we keep bottled up inside, my very nature - all these things were represented, glued down and sloshed with an overcoat of Quin Crimson/Quin Burnt Orange combo.  I then added my "Head Heart Hands" assemblage over top.I knew the interior would only be visible from very small holes in the front and so added a little Superman over to the side, because well, we should all embody the spirit of a Super Hero don’t you think?!? This would end up inspiring the final title.

Then I got to work on the outside - the calm cool collected part. I cut my 3 peek-a-boo holes, gesso’d inside’n'out and then added a layer of molding paste that I texturized using sequin waste, plastic grid, palette knife and sundry other items. Let it dry then began the task of adding layers and layers of applied/wiped off fluid acrylics. It looked fine but it needed a little "something else" - I rustled through my image stash and knew as soon as I saw it, THIS was the photo. This image has been in my stash for the better part of 3 years. I love it. From an old stock photo catalogue I saved it from the trash bin knowing SOME day I’d have the perfect project. This was the one. It’s monochromatic of a tow-headed boy opening a door. There’s a sense of anticipation and even trepidation shown in the boy’s shoulder blades. I made an image transfer of it and added it to the front.

At some point I decided I wanted the interior lit so added the LED light set I had kicking around knowing that the plastic portholes would give some indication of what was inside but only just a glimpse. So like Real Life! The fun part was incorporating the battery pack as part of the assemblage. It’s those fun little details that I love about the whole assemblage process. I glued the front and back together and layered molding paste over the joints to seal the piece shut. Only you and I know what exactly is inside. Viewers will get the barest glimpse. I’d been toying with titles, then it came to me. With tongue firmly in cheek, please say hello to: "There’s a little Superman inside all of us."

 Visit the Zeek Gallery  starting February 5, 2008 to bid on this and other pieces in support  of  Poyama, a non-profit organization providing psychiatric day-treatment for children 3-12 years old.

• Assemblage , Shows
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