Frances McCormack: Collage
Current exhibition
Overview
“Everything about collage, or the way I approach collage, is contrary to how I approach painting. It is small, careful, patient work that is not particularly forgiving. It is possible to make changes, but they also must be made very carefully. The search for appropriate materials, borrowed imagery, can take forever but the thrill of alighting upon the right slice of a drawing, photograph or instruction manual is satisfying. And honestly, cultivating patience is something I wish I had learned years ago.”
Frances McCormack’s lush botanical abstractions reflect a freedom of expression honed through years of artistic practice. In 2019, she turned to collage, a medium that allowed her to work on a smaller scale. This shift required a change in approach, as collage demands patience—a quality McCormack muses she wishes she had learned earlier. The process involves a meticulous search for perfect details, whether from a drawing, photograph, or instruction manual. Though smaller in scale, McCormack’s collages carry the same energy as her large-scale paintings, referencing the natural world through the lens of the marvelous. These works invite interpretation and are structured organically, like the walled gardens and spaces she has sought out for inspiration. Her travels to Italy, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, and her home state of California have provided thoughtful respites where the noise of everyday life fades, allowing creativity to flourish.
Works
