All my collages are made from torn, or cut, recycled colour magazines. It began with British birds and wildlife about five years ago. I have been praised for the realism of my paper collage birds and wildlife. More recently, I have begun experimenting with portraits and abstracts. I have had many commissions for dog portraits with wonderful feedback from my customers. It is definitely a unique and fun way to capture the essence of a beloved pet.
Completely self-taught, I liken my technique to "painting with paper" and have great fun in many of my collages of adding little "hidden" images which you find by looking closely, including other birds or animals, quotes, and even buildings. Best of all, friends now leave piles of magazines on my doorstep so there is never a shortage of material for me to work with! My greetings cards, featuring my collages, sell in shops across the country, and I sell original artwork as well as giclee prints to order.
Art has always played a huge part in my life but mostly had to take a back seat as I worked to earn a living in various admin jobs and raised my two wonderful boys. Following serious illness, I retired when I was 60 and at last was able to devote time to doing what I loved most. For many years I was dedicated to mosaicking, after taking a course with the wonderful Becky Paton, but, as the hands grew a bit stiffer, I discovered paper collage. I spend many evenings with a pile of magazines at my feet, going through and tearing, and sorting, images or colours or wording that might be useful. My little cavapoo, Teddy and I walk every day in our favourite places, Florence Park, Shotover, Iffley Fields, Sandford on Thames. I take photographs of local scenes and many are turned into cards which sell in local village shops. There is a category "Oxfordshire" on the website www.lovefromtheartist.com/artists/oxford/jackie-richards where cards can be ordered directly.