The Hub: Aug-Nov 2023 from Evelyn Dufner (Curator)

From 2016 until 2021, my husband and I lived and traveled in our RV, visiting over 25 states. During that time I began journaling and discovered I loved collage and acrylics. I began experimenting in an app called Procreate, using many of my photos to create digital collages. It was fun and an easy way to be creative while traveling and living in a small space.

During the Pandemic we returned to Florida and I began looking for ways to show some of the art I've been making. While much of my time is spent drawing little black cats in lots of human situations, I love expressing my love of life and happiness with paper and digital collages made from photos, found papers, painted papers and more.

I am a self-taught artist, inspired by organic shapes in nature, bright colors and music. Flowers, birds, plants, and landscapes all inform my illustrations and designs. My process involves layering and mixing various liquid media on a variety of different papers. I use stencils, brushes, gel plates, rollers and other mark-making tools to create complex textures and lines. These papers are often used as the "paint" in my designs. The papers are torn, cut and sometimes given a wash to create variety and more interest. I work intuitively and often don't have an end result in mind. I use my acrylic paper designs in paper collages and in digital collages.

My digital illustrations are created in an app called Procreate. To exhibit my digital work, sometimes I print it on a wood cradle board. Or print on watercolor paper and then mount it onto the wood. The sides are painted with acrylic and it is signed and dated on the back. Often, I make some marks on it with pen or ink. I only produce a small limited number prints on wood of any given image. I do sell paper prints of most of my work in various sizes. I like to make my art affordable and accessible to everyone.

I scan the finished papers before using them in my paper collages thus enabling me to use them again in my digital collages. I love the feel of the texture of the paper collage. I'm equally attracted to the limitless ideas and variations created by digital manipulation. I can't ever see myself just doing one type of art. Even at my age, I feel I am just getting started on my art journey.