by artist Karina Martens

I am a free-lance collage artist. My collages involve an elaborate process that transforms old objects into new art. To make a personalized memory collage I first ask what is deeply meaningful about  the event or story that is being celebrated in a person's collage. After printing out scanned copies of the images and artifacts I start to layer them on canvas covering each layer with paint. Some parts of a collage may have up to ten layers. Once the paper and paint collage is complete I scan the piece and spend several more weeks digitally shifting colors and texture in Photoshop. The final digital file is sent to a printer who prints the image on canvas. 

Because this is art I can not tell you what the end result will be, only that I will strive to create a beautiful and unique memory to hang on your wall. Personalized collages are a collaborative process however and you will get several chances to review the work while it is in progress to make revisions.  All personal images and artifacts are returned via Federal Express after scanning.

Example: This is an example of work I did for a man who came to me wanting a unique way to propose to his girlfriend. The red writing mimics her handwriting of a poem she once gave him that I had him get for me so that I could scan it and then splice together the letters to form the words "Marry Me?"