Collages, board games, and little books: I have been cutting and pasting paper since childhood. Between then and now, I’ve read many books, made art of all kinds, worked as a teacher and librarian, lived in a dozen different cities, and visited 15 different countries. Now I’m retired and can make art all the time. What a privilege!
My goal is to celebrate the marvelous diversity of the world–the glorious multitude of colors, textures, patterns, and stories we live with. I hope viewers will be inspired to approach my art with playful exploration, to enjoy the details as well as the effect of their juxtaposition.
I admire Matisse, Klee, Miró, Calder, LeWitt, among many others, including book artists Bruno Munari, Hedi Kyle, Esther K. Smith, Barbara Mauriello, Paul Johnson, Margaret Couch Cogswell, and quilter Ruth B. McDowell. I am grateful to have learned from teachers and fellow students at the Center for Book Arts in New York City, Pyramid Atlantic in Washington DC, Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, the Oregon Center for Art and Craft in Portland, and the Center for Book and Paper Arts at Columbia College in Chicago.
harlanferlo@gmail.com