Frances Smolen
Summer’s End, 2024
Painted paper, including work made by my young daughter. On a Baltic Birch Plywood panel. 18" dia
My oldest daughter, Ronah, who is 7 years old, loves helping me in our family art studio. I typically make my artwork by piecing together small sections of my drawings, paintings, wood scraps, and doodles from my children. For this piece in particular I wanted to highlight Ronah's art, she created beautiful bubble paintings for me to incorporate, she also gave me great suggestions about where to place her pieces and enjoyed cheering me on and discussing the process as I worked. The patchwork quality in quilting, marquetry and similar crafts has always appealed to me aesthetically and I love the challenge of using forgotten or unwanted remnants. Conceptually, I enjoy upcycling or elevating overlooked scraps into a new work of art. It has also become a fun tradition in our art studio for Ronah and her younger twin sisters to make “pieces for mommy” and I love finding where to best incorporate them in my artwork.
Frances Smolen
Fatherhood, 2023
Collage of various materials, painted paper, including scribbles made by my young daughter and wood veneer. On a Baltic Birch Plywood panel. 24"
Frances Smolen
Calm Collections, 2024
Painted paper, including work made by my young daughter. On a Baltic Birch Plywood panel. 18" dia
My oldest daughter, Ronah, who is 7 years old, loves helping me in our family art studio. I typically make my artwork by piecing together small sections of my drawings, paintings, wood scraps, and doodles from my children. For this piece in particular I wanted to highlight Ronah's art, she created beautiful bubble paintings for me to incorporate, she also gave me great suggestions about where to place her pieces and enjoyed cheering me on and discussing the process as I worked. The patchwork quality in quilting, marquetry and similar crafts has always appealed to me aesthetically and I love the challenge of using forgotten or unwanted remnants. Conceptually, I enjoy upcycling or elevating overlooked scraps into a new work of art. It has also become a fun tradition in our art studio for Ronah and her younger twin sisters to make “pieces for mommy” and I love finding where to best incorporate them in my artwork.
