Jim Brewster

I grew up in a drawing/painting household, my Mom studied art and my sister has an art degree from Pratt.  I grew up with sports cars and first attended sports car races at Lime Rock before I was 1 year old.  My art form was drawing race cars.  My Mom held an annual Art Show at our house and every kid entered pieces in each year's age group.  I stopped drawing cars after selling a few colored pencil/ink pieces in the 80s, after creating pieces for commissions took my fun away. 

Five years ago, a close family friend introduced me to collage.  Jean Olderman is a water color painter whose collages lead most viewers to believe that they are watercolor paintings.  Of course, I took collage in a different direction.  I quickly left magazines for 2nd hand coffee table books and soon after discovered how well Modge Podge glues paper to the glass of a 2nd hand picture frame.  When I was still working, I would bring prints of my collages to work and give them to anyone who wanted one.  After a few years, there were many cubicles covered with familiar images.  I spend quite a bit of time in Brevard, NC visiting my mother, and the Transylvania County Arts Council (lead by Kathy King) opened their arms to my art in their monthly open shows.  I have also led Geometric Abstract Collage Workshops encouraging artists as they create a collage within a 3 hour time crunch.

When I'm not cutting and glueing paper, I play 30s and 40s tunes on the piano (I've also retired from 26 years of church/choir piano).  These two respected hobbies keep me from racing digital race cars(simulator racing) on my computer.  I'm an active member in several leagues and act as the administrator for another league.  We broadcast our races on YouTube every week of the year.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I really think that a piece of art has two responsibilities.  The casual glance should attract a second look.  The warmth of simple beauty or a zing of curious excitement.  When the viewer stops to revisit the piece, new nuggets of adventure should surprise their imagination.  Each day's walkabout should not feel too familiar.

My creative curiosity in creating collages is split between new combinations of colors/images and the endless possibilities of geometric compositions.  My collages are glued to glass so I often draw a template that I 'trace' as I assemble the collage.  While the composition requires thoughtful imagination, it is often the assembly planning which replays in my pre-sleep moments. 

I really hope that you share my excitement and surprise with each finished collage and print.