An Extensive Use of Maps

Reclining Woman, collage, 15" x 11"

In this little pocket of Californian collagists, I found another gem. Nancy Goodman Lawrence does detailed portrait collages. Her subjects appear to be people most of the time, and in depicting them, she uses a large variety of maps...."Mountains, oceans and roads become veins, tree branches, rug patterns and clothing, as I surgically manipulate them, bit by bit, from one context to another."
I feel as tho artists sometimes tend to sample a theme or technique and in doing so often they achieve a high level of dexterity and mastery. I can see in the sampling of work on Nancy's site that she has delved into her own personal style of portrait making pretty deep... Her excellence in her own special technique really shows. I am particularly fond of this piece, called Ori. (personaly, I feel a constellation effect created in the dogs head, and I really like the blue eye!)
She has an exhibition coming up in January.

Ori, collage, 23 1/2" x 31 1/4"

Top Honors Exhibition
VIVA Gallery
13261 Moorpark
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Gallery Hours:
Wed. - Fri. 11 - 4 pm
Sat. 12 to 4 pm
Artists' Reception:
Sunday, January 6, 2008
2 to 5 pm