Sam Collins

Johnny Sees His Future

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 19:08:00 +0000

For all you Tarzan fans out there!

Johnny holds a baby chimp in the old photo in the insert not realizing that for the next 20 years they'll be working together.

Life is more fun than a barrel of monkeys!

Painting, screen printing, vintage photo and a post WW2 porcelain chimp.

Motor City Meltdown

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:47:00 +0000

Here's a new guitar with a hot rod theme!

Body is cut out of birch with airbrushed flames.

Chrome from various old cars: knobs, door handle, side piece, nose piece, name plates.

Neck is an old fence picket.

Background: canvas, wood and acrylic paint

Fast cars and rock 'n roll. What's not to like?

Curb Service

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:11:00 +0000

An American Classic, a burger painted on actual hamburger wrappers!

With car hops as well!

Bowl-a-Rama

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Fri, 06 May 2011 15:16:00 +0000

I found this bowler at a junk shop in Baltimore 8 or 9 years ago. He's from an arcade game from the early 40s. The bowling pins are a digitally manipulated photo of the bowling sign in Tuscaloosa. They are printed on canvas and mounted onto wood cut out in the shape of the bowling pin. The ball is made of wood. I assembled everything onto the lane made of pine and added the bowling ball feet. The bowler's arm still moves.

Cheatin' Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:06:00 +0000

This is my new guitar dedicated to Hank Williams. I incorporated a 1950s map of the south showing Montgomery, Birmingham, Nashville and Knoxville into the Alabama state flag. Cadillac (the car he died in) emblems were included on the guitar along with the Heart of Dixie portion of an old Alabama license plate. See the detail below.

Psychedelic Days

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:56:00 +0000

Here are a couple of new pieces based on the psychedelic days of advertising.

"Papillon Pop"

"Two Lips"

I hope you enjoy.

Texas 66

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:57:00 +0000

This is something new, a mixed media guitar with a Texas theme. I hope you enjoy.

Tourist Lodge

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 14:49:00 +0000

A roadside haven after a log day of crusin' in your '59 Caddy.
This is a combination digital and traditional media. The background is a digitally manipulated photo printed on canvas and mounted on wood. Then acrylic paint, texture and old wood added. The '59 Caddy was created in a 3D program, printed, mounted on wood, cut out with a scroll saw and ...mounted to the "sign".

American Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:26:00 +0000

This new piece is titled "American Paradise". Who could ask for more?... cool water, a bathing beauty and blue sky?
The diving girl image is based on the sign at the Beverly Motel in Mobile, AL.

Cadillac Ranchero

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:00:00 +0000

This my homage to the original Cadillac Ranch completed in 1974 in Amarillo Texas by the Ant Farm Studio.
I went with 8 '59 caddies instead of 10 from '49 to '63. Didn't you love those tail fins and bullet taillights?

C is for Clown

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:59:00 +0000

"C is for Clown"...or creepy. I'm not sure where this idea came from, but like most clowns a little bit funny and a little bit creepy.

White Rabbit

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:50:00 +0000

Another image inspired by music, this one by the Jefferson Airplane song White Rabbit. A game board feel with a weird twist on white rabbits. Across the bottom it says "Feed Your Head".

Hi Yo Silver

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:20:00 +0000

A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi Yo Silver...
Who doesn't remember that opening line?
This new piece combines my digital image of the Lone Ranger toy along with acrylic paint, wood, rope and a silver horse from an old mustang.

Tiki Lounge

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:05:00 +0000

It's been awhile since my last entry. I've been working on artwork for upcoming shows plus some medical artwork as well. This one is called Tiki Lounge. It combines acrylic paint and digitally manipulated photos on canvas with some bamboo trim. Don't you just love exotic drinks.

Cherry Cola

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 03:34:00 +0000

Here's a mixed media piece inspired (pun intended) by pop art and a line from the song "Lola" by the Kinks. "I met her in a club down in old Soho where you drink champagne and it taste just like Cherry Cola."

"Vespas in a Row"

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0000

Come on down to Pepper Place Market Saturday July 3rd and see this along with many of my other images. I'll be at the Birmingham Art Association Booth on 29th Street. So hop on your scooter or grab your dog and come on down for some fresh produce and great artwork!

"Golden Girl"

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 01:57:00 +0000

The Golden Girl, 23 feet tall, cast in bronze and gold leafed, the Divinity of Light or Miss Electra as we know her has watched over Birmingham from atop the Alabama Power Building since 1926.

I hope you like this interpretation.

"Dante's Inferno"

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:35:00 +0000

Gone but not forgotten by all the kids that made it through Dante's Inferno. The Miracle Stripe Amusement Park located in Panama City Beach closed several years ago. The ride was called Dante's Inferno and you entered through the mouth. This spring the remaining structures were finally leveled.

This image is a composite of 5 different images plus some type. My original inspiration for the piece was the Rolling Stones' Song "Sympathy for the Devil".

noreply@blogger.com (Sam Collins) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:50:00 +0000

I've finally started a blog to share my images with anyone who's interested. I may not post everyday but I hope to post a few times each week.

My images fall into two categories, mixed media or photography. The photos are digitally manipulated, playing with composition, color and texture. The final image is printed either on paper (12"x 18") in editions of 35 or canvas (24" x 36") in editions of 10. The mixed media artwork are one of a kind combining my photos along with paint and found objects on canvas and board.

The first image is the sign at the Beverly Motel on HWY 90 West in Mobile, AL. As with most of the motels I photograph, the Beverly has seen better days.