Laste last year, I started taking my collages to small art fairs around LA. I’ve met a bunch of cool artists who’ve welcomed this outsider to participate in their scene. In January I got myself invited to table at a DIY art sale in downtown LA, hosted by Knack Ink Collective, Pins Pins Pins. I was stoked to wrangled the invite.

The event was themed around custom enamel–or cloisonne–pins, which unfortunately isn’t a thing I do yet–someday but not now). I do have a 1.25″ professional button press though and back in Phoenix I used to make runs for the gallery I ran and Simpsons trivia nights I co-hosted. The idea of incorporating buttons into new collages felt like a good challenge, because I didn’t want to make the collage feel secondary or disposable, nor I didn’t want the works as a whole to feel like a weak gimmick. I also wanted to be able to make them live at the show.

I’m happy to say it was a successful experiment: I had a good time, met some more folx, and sold a few pieces. I’ve also kept making the button collages, because I really like how they come out . . .

(Snack Break) Button Collage
(Snack Break) Button Collage

"Snack Break" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, customized button and costume jewelry. 4.5" X 5.5" JRC

"Snack Break" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, customized button and costume jewelry. 4.5" X 5.5" JRC

No Shock Button Collage
No Shock Button Collage

"No Shok!" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 7" X 7.75" JRC

"No Shok!" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 7" X 7.75" JRC

Home Fires (with button) February 2020
Home Fires (with button) February 2020

"Home Fires" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines and custom button. 5.5" X 5.5" JRC

"Home Fires" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines and custom button. 5.5" X 5.5" JRC

Paphinal (Button Collage)
Paphinal (Button Collage)

"Paphinal" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines and two custom button. 8" X 8" JRC (SOLD)

"Paphinal" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines and two custom button. 8" X 8" JRC (SOLD)

Mercer Button Collage March 2020
Mercer Button Collage March 2020

"Mercer" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 5.5" X 8.5" JRC

"Mercer" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 5.5" X 8.5" JRC

Cracker
Cracker

"Cracker" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, Ritz cracker box, paper, and custom button. 9" X 6" JRC

"Cracker" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, Ritz cracker box, paper, and custom button. 9" X 6" JRC

Nourishing the Bear
Nourishing the Bear

"Nourishing the Bear" Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 6" X 5.75" JRC

"Nourishing the Bear" Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 6" X 5.75" JRC

Vials of Glamor (Button Collage)
Vials of Glamor (Button Collage)

"Vials of Glamor" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 5.25" X 6" JRC (SOLD)

"Vials of Glamor" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 5.25" X 6" JRC (SOLD)

SWAN (Button Collage)
SWAN (Button Collage)

"SWAN" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 6" X 4.5" JRC

"SWAN" (Button Collage) Collage made with vintage books/magazines, paper and custom button. 6" X 4.5" JRC

If you’re interested, drop me a note, if they’re not marked sold, I can still ship them to you. I’ll also keep adding more of these to my gallery page, so check there to see my other collages, and new button pieces.