Check Out Madcollage ’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madcollage.

Hi Madcollage, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m a collage maker. I started as a child by making my toys with household items. I always loved making things with my hands. I also was interested in art from early on. I would sketch during class at school and often get in trouble for it. At home, I tried copying famous paintings (primarily portraits) by Modigliani, Picasso, Klimt, or Holbein. I would draw rudimentary versions with markers and colored pencils, and my notebooks were covered with little sketches. The images came from my father’s art books which he kept in his home office. I was fascinated by those books.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing has ever been smooth sailing in my life. I’m not being dramatic. It’s just the way things are. Poor health was a big obstacle from early childhood. I was energetic and stubborn but constantly sick. I was also highly distractible and outspoken at school. However, getting good grades was a protective shield, and teachers accepted my quirks. A new set of unforeseen issues cropped up when I became an accidental immigrant in this country. I can’t say I was received with open arms, and it took me a long time to find my feet. To this day, I feel like an outsider. It’s an uncomfortable situation that I choose to incorporate into my artwork. I’m also very introverted. Part of it is innate, and the other part is learned behavior. I tend to protect myself from hurtful people and comments by putting the focus on my art instead of featuring myself. My artwork is for sale, but I am not. I am intensely private, and I prefer to communicate through images. I also suffer from PTSD. It manifests in various ways, but primarily through depression and crippling anxiety. Reverting to my habit of making things with my hands always helps me mitigate the effects of this condition.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
My identity is closely linked to my artwork. Art has been a reliable avenue for growth and comfort throughout my life. My formal art education started with private instruction, and later while in college, I studied Fine Arts. I trained as a painter and took drawing, photography, and sculpture classes. I love Art History and couldn’t get enough of it at school, so I took the initiative to read a lot about it on the side. I still read art biographies predominantly. It helped me make sense of what I was learning regarding technique, and it also afforded me endless inspiration.

I’m in poor health, so it takes a lot of determination and grit to show up every day in a creative capacity. I am proud of my resilience, although it is not an infinite resource. Sometimes, it is tough to focus due to pain, but I dedicate all my time to thinking and executing my artwork. I enjoy translating ideas into images. I’m constantly mulling new sources of inspiration in my head and trying to incorporate them into my practice. It’s a survival strategy.

I don’t have any qualities that set me apart. I’m shy and introverted, and I make no bones about it. I am impatient and easily frustrated. My mood fluctuates wildly at times. I am very demanding of myself, and simultaneously, I am exquisitely tuned into other people’s suffering because I experience it daily. It’s easier for me to be compassionate towards others than towards myself. I carry a heavy load of old baggage, but I will set it aside without hesitation if I see someone else struggling. I can’t bear it. Anyhow, I hate comparisons, so I don’t know if I am different from other creative people. Each individual brings something special to the mix, and that’s why diversity is important.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite thing ever was spending time with my father. Whether we were driving around, running errands, or spending the day at the swimming pool, he always had great stories to tell. He was hilarious and kind. Polite to a fault too. He made me feel like I was the most essential thing. I felt protected, pampered, heard, and loved. He was such great company for someone with such a harsh upbringing.

Pricing:

• I make a point of keeping my prices affordable.
• I want the artwork to be available without breaking the bank.
• Anyone can be a collector if they wish to.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.madcollage.com/originals
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovemadcollage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovemadcollage
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2zfnHjV36q8aALnN8Y3d1m?go=1&sp_cid=6d0ae37eb8fc7f17bfa01187a99dfd82