{"id":12645,"date":"2022-06-14T01:57:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-14T05:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/?p=12645"},"modified":"2022-05-29T11:08:02","modified_gmt":"2022-05-29T15:08:02","slug":"the-elements-start-to-speak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/articles\/the-elements-start-to-speak\/","title":{"rendered":"The Elements Start to Speak"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Garden of Hard Facts<\/em> by Melinda Tidwell
9″x12\u201d; book parts, on paper; 2019. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FROM KOLAJ 35<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melinda Tidwell’s Artist Portfolio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The art world bandies about abstraction, often using the word to mean nonrepresentational when the idea of abstraction has a precise history and meaning. To render the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface is an act of abstraction in and of itself, but when artists moved into abstraction at the beginning of the 20th century, their project was to free art from the constraints of reality itself. Through this lens, Melinda Tidwell\u2019s abstract collages take on their meaning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio of the Santa Fe, New Mexico artist’s work appears in Kolaj 35. To see the complete Artist Portfolio, SUBSCRIBE to <\/a><\/em>Kolaj Magazine<\/a> or Get a Copy of the Issue<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Implosion<\/em> by Melinda Tidwell
12″x9\u201d; book parts, acrylic on panel; 2020. Courtesy of the artist.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I am ready to work I put a row of bins, about eight colors, on my table. I choose a color scheme and start sifting through the bins for those colors until I have a mass of elements that appeal to me laid out on the white table. This setup is my little heaven because the elements start to speak to each other, and to me, and I start combining them in the space of my paper. Sometimes I have a layout in mind, sometimes I just meander.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A portfolio of the Santa Fe, New Mexico artist’s work appears in Kolaj 35. To see the complete Artist Portfolio, SUBSCRIBE to <\/a><\/em>Kolaj Magazine<\/a> or Get a Copy of the Issue<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melinda Tidwell is a collage artist with an interest in discarded books. Originally from northern Utah, she holds an honors degree in mathematics. Her love of books and vintage materials lured her from the world of computer graphics\/design and into her current work in book collage. Tidwell\u2019s collages are shown yearly in gallery exhibitions, international art fairs, and are included in numerous private and corporate collections in the United States. Her work is currently represented by galleries in San Francisco, Seattle, Sun Valley, and Santa Fe. Melinda also teaches from her studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and at other venues around the country. Learn more at www.melindatidwell.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FROM KOLAJ 35 Melinda Tidwell’s Artist Portfolio The art world bandies about abstraction, often using the word to mean nonrepresentational when the idea of abstraction has a precise history and meaning. To render the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":12646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,9],"tags":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/Melinda-Tidwell-theGardenofHard-Facts.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2QTD7-3hX","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11839,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/abstraction\/","url_meta":{"origin":12645,"position":0},"title":"Abstraction","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"24 November 2021","format":"gallery","excerpt":"La Primavera by Romare Bearden44\"x56\"; various papers with fabric, paint, ink, and graphite on fiberboard; 1967. Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio Museum Purchase, Derby Fund from the Philip J. and Suzanne Schiller Collection of American Social Commentary Art 1930\u20131970. \u00a9 Romare Bearden Foundation \/ VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS),\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/romare-bearden-la-primavera.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/romare-bearden-la-primavera.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/romare-bearden-la-primavera.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/romare-bearden-la-primavera.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6525,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/articles\/oasis-of-colour-abstraction-revealed\/","url_meta":{"origin":12645,"position":1},"title":"Oasis of Colour, Abstraction Revealed","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"3 January 2018","format":"gallery","excerpt":"FROM KOLAJ 21 Elise Margolis' Artist Portfolio Elise Margolis was born in Brooklyn and lives and works in Manhattan. She writes, \"I cut my paintings, looking further for the images within the abstraction to be revealed. By juxtaposing the assorted pieces of paintings, I look to create a new dialogue.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/elise-margolis-black-hole.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/elise-margolis-black-hole.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/elise-margolis-black-hole.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/elise-margolis-black-hole.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11625,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/stratum-in-abstraction\/","url_meta":{"origin":12645,"position":2},"title":"Stratum in Abstraction","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"7 September 2021","format":"gallery","excerpt":"Earth Layers by Peggy Wright24\"x24\"; mixed media collage; 2021. Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Peggy Wright: Stratum in Abstraction at Nevada City Winery in Nevada City, California, USA3-26 September 2021 Artist Peggy Wright says about her work in this exhibition:The earth is comprised of four main layers. The\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/peggy-wright-earth-layers.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/peggy-wright-earth-layers.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/peggy-wright-earth-layers.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3195,"url":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/eugene-james-martin-beta-pictoris\/","url_meta":{"origin":12645,"position":3},"title":"Eugene James Martin at beta pictoris\/Maus Contemporary","author":"Christopher Byrne","date":"9 September 2014","format":"gallery","excerpt":"5 September-31 October 2014 \"Favorite Blues\": Eugene James Martin Eugene James Martin (Washington, DC, 1938 - Lafayette, Louisiana, 2005) is known for his often gently humorous works that may incorporate whimsical allusions to animal, machine and structural imagery among areas of \u201cpure\u201d, constructed, biomorphic, or disciplined lyrical abstraction. 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Courtesy of the artist. COLLAGE ON VIEW Michael Eble: Mod Sampling at the Acadiana Center for the Arts in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA11 October-20 December 2025 Michael Eble creates colorful abstract works that merge collage, acrylic, and drawn elements to explore\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Exhibitions"","block_context":{"text":"Exhibitions","link":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/category\/content\/collage-exhibitions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-eble-airline.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-eble-airline.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-eble-airline.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/michael-eble-airline.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12645"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kolajmagazine.com\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}