Spare Time Cash

Why do so many of us love birds? Gracefully soaring through the sky, they perform beautiful, seemingly weightless dances that lift our spirits. Stories about birds have always been part of the symbolism, myths, and folktales of many cultures, going all the way back to prehistoric times. These tales often portrayed them as messengers, linking the human world to the divine or spiritual realms. I think humans have secretly envied their ability to fly, which must have appeared magical before science was able to explain it. Though the meaning of this bird collage is not specific, birds in my work generally symbolize living nature, spirituality, and the ability to rise above. If you're interested in learning more, I wrote about the use of birds in art in Put a Bird on It, part 1 as well as Put a Bird on It, part 2.

Spare Time Cash is a bird collage I created using a vintage and antique book pages and decorative paper. I added old stamps, a vintage magazine ad, and an old ornithology illustration. I love searching for these “treasures” and combining them into something new and unique that others can enjoy. Many of materials I use in my work are objects that would usually be thrown out, yet have somehow survived to be recycled into pieces of art. Old book pages are one of my favorite materials to use. The one with the leaf and flower line decoration came from a keepsake book that once belonged to a girl who attended Wellesly College in 1914. I enjoy the delicate green lines paired with the soft orange-salmon colors. I believe this bird collage piece will enrich your life and add a touch of magic to your home or office.