A strong line of repeated paper scraps becomes even more rugged when it’s digitally transformed to dark blue to contrast with the copper layers.

The original collage started with a family trip to Paris. I was strolling along the Seine where the Paris bouquinistes (booksellers) offer their wares from carts along the river. I found a book so old, the pages were uncut and still in folios, perfect for ripping up! To that, I added detail with textured wallpaper recycled as gift wrapping, and some dark blue accent scraps and tissue paper.

Working digitally, I’ve added layers of castle stone, a foggy tree horizon, a gelatin monoprint, a Skagit valley farmhouse, marbling detail, and more stone texture overlay.

Digital collage © 2014 Liz Ruest, 17 layers
From the 2014: Building Blocks series
Based on day 018 of my daily collage project, 2013-2014.

History

Shown in The Seven at EAFA Gallery in May & June, 2017
Exhibited at Windermere in Edmonds, July/August 2016
Exhibited at Lynn Hanson Gallery, Seattle, June 2016
Exhibited in Layered Stories at Blakely Hall, Sammamish, WA, 2015
Unsigned 16×20 art print: private collection
Signed 24″x24″ print on matte aluminum: private collection