schimmel’s junk mail portraits

Using mosaic tiles made from recycled junk mail, S.A. Schimmel Gold ‘paints’ vivid portraits that are alive, awake and vibrant.

Reading her artist’s statement you get the sense that the artist is as colorful as her art. “I take fascinating and colorful expeditions down rabbit holes. My art reflects the conclusion of these voyages utilizing an ability to see images in tiny bits, in a color scheme that may only exist in my mind. The how, the process, is not important – the finished creation is the sum of the parts and the end of the journey. Now, it is up to you to enjoy.”

Each portrait is made up of advertising ephemera, junk mail and greeting cards. They are created on recycled canvas and her subjects range from unknown people to celebrities to you – all done with an amazing amount of detail and brilliant color. Let’s do as the artist says and EnJoY!   

(Might be an interesting way to re-use old polymer clay works…right? Cut into 1″ squares, organize by color, sketch out a picture, lay out the design onto a sheet of raw clay, bake and backfill with grout…)

There has been quite a bit of buzz lately about whether or not it makes sense to donate your artwork to non profits that tap you for an auction fundraiser contribution. Schimmel has a fine solution with a ‘non profit donation policy’. Nicely done. Check it out here.