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Artist to Artist - Lynda boltz

More Artist to Artist with Lynda Boltz

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Lynda Boltz: All my life, I have been interested in making art, and it never mattered much what media I used. I remember drawing huge, brilliantly-hued flowers on the chalkboard (with pastels) in my 6th-grade - classroom before parents' night. I'm certain my teacher had to work like the dickens to get that stuff off the board after the event! I also used to sketch portraits of my siblings from their school photographs, and I loved to make posters and design flyers and concert programs. I started a neighborhood newsletter and did all the artwork myself, but I never considered myself an "artist," and took no art classes in school. My primary art area became music. I had a naturally good-quality singing voice, and in many ways, I allowed myself to be considered "the singer" by everyone. Visual art took the backseat except in the summers with Aunt Nez.

My great Aunt Nez, my "Auntie Mame," saw and encouraged my interest in art, and took me on trips to study and learn. We took ceramics classes where we designed our own plates and mugs, and even took one oil-painting class together in the Hill Country of Texas; we painted in black-and-white for a whole week. It was frustrating for both of us, but I still remember the principles I learned there. In the evenings we went to square dances and musicals. I loved Nez for giving me those moments with her, filled with art and music. I have always owned oil paints and pastels. I can't say that my paintings were wonderful, but I enjoyed painting. I tried watercolor (unsuccessfully) and have always wanted to have some instruction in that. Mother taught my sister and me to sew, and we both have made our own clothes and designed and crafted jewelry.

Lesley Riley: What do you do with your digital collages? What type of paper do you print them on?

LB: I make some of these for gifts, framed prints, and some are commissions. I have designed a collection of music posters, and I have given them to school and church musicians for their music rooms. I designed several for my own classroom, and I printed small versions of one to serve as a lyric memory book cover for each of my seventh graders. However, one of the things I enjoy the most is to make smaller prints and adhere them to journals, boxes, calendars, etc., and give them away. Lately my inspirations have been personal, growing out of images like seashells or leaves, and I plan to print them for framing.

I use 13" x 19", double-sided, matte photo paper (I use Staples® brand) and print it with my Canon i9100 color photo printer. I think that the matte paper enhances the velvety textures I try to layer into my art. This paper, by the way, is heavy and can be mounted into a frame with only minimal backing necessary. I generally create files that print 12" x 16", but occasionally I just want to see that edge-to-edge look that using the entire sheet produces.

LR: What one key piece of advice would you offer to our readers who want to create a digital collage?

LB: There are two, actually, if you don't mind, because one is arty and one is technical, although I think "No Rules" is a good rule, actually!

1. Choose, layer, modify, and arrange elements in a digital collage precisely, as you would in a cut-and-paste collage. When you think you are finished, try removing one or two elements so it isn't overdone. Don't obscure your vision by using everything you love in one piece.

2. Don't be afraid you will make a mistake; just as in a word-processing project, one can always undo the action taken until the result is something you love. Start with a user-friendly software package, buy books, take a class or two if you wish, and have fun.

LR: What's next for you?

LB: Who knows? I'm laughing as I say this, but truly my meaning is that I am open to adventure in my art and life, and I wake up every morning with new ideas. My husband groans when I say, "I was just thinking..." or "I've got an idea," but I'm fortunate that this old brain is still creating.

Travel is something I want to do more, and perhaps after retirement from teaching, that will be more possible. Spending time in Europe and other beautiful, historic places has sparked an infinite number of ideas for new projects. At some point I hope to market my line of music posters, most of which are based on my photography and famous quotes about music. In addition, I hope to find a way to creatively and perhaps commercially, share my collage art. (My husband the accountant hopes it is lucrative!)

I can't see myself teaching music forever, but I do see my digital art continuing to become an even more significant part of my life. I accept commissions and do some limited commercial photography. If I don't run out of collections, antique letters, keys, watercolors, printer ink and 13" x 19" paper, I'll be happy for a long, long time!

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