Portal Gallery

Debra Gardner: Bricolage

bri·co·lage /ˌbrēkōˈläZH,ˌbrikə-/ In the arts, bricolage (French for “DIY” or “do-it-yourself” projects) is the construction or creation of a work from a diverse range of things that happen to be available, or a work created by mixed media.

Debra’s Artist Statement: “I use my art time as an escape from the stresses and confusion of the world we live in. I was an elementary art teacher for many years and always had a very limited budget. This experience taught me to appreciate and use simple and inexpensive materials in imaginative ways. Many of my pieces have a child like quality because I really enjoy the charm of children’s artwork. I often spend time looking at artwork in galleries, online, and in books for inspiration and new ideas. I keep a file of things that attract my attention, and then try to figure out what elements draw me in. I like to use a variety of materials in my projects, to paint, draw, and make books, collages, and assemblages. I especially enjoy working with different kinds of paper, such as vintage papers, postcards and photographs.”