Many emotions are conveyed through art By Anita Stratos Joe Pye and the Swallowtail by Vicky Culver Art communicates on many levels and can touch people in very personal ways. At times it is an expression of emotions from deep within the artist's soul; at others, it's a celebration of the world around us. Passion, pain and beauty translate into stunning works of art in a unique form at the hands of collagist Vicky Culver, part-time director and exhibitor at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury. Originally from Liverpool, England, Culver was so inspired by the beautiful New Jersey countryside that she was driven to capture on film the richness she witnessed. Those photos, cut into various workable shapes and sizes, then became the parts of another whole - the collages for which she has become so well known. Culver's collages take on various appearances: some mimic fabric patterns and re-create Amish quilts, while others are more abstract works. Still, all have that one common thread - finished products that command attention and stir imagination as well as emotion. "With my Amish quilt patterns, I wanted to combine the comforting quality of quilts with the exciting, dynamic design of quilt patterns," Culver explained. "Other pieces suggest deep spirituality." Many of Culver's works are comprised of photographs she has taken in Monmouth County. Her lily series, for example, is based on photos of richly colored water lilies in Howell. The series includes everything from a 2,600 piece abstract floral quilt-like piece, which took three months to complete, to a piece called "Flower Bridge" with varying shades, textures and tones. "I try to draw attention to the things we see every day but take for granted during the course of our fast-paced, busy lives," Culver said. "I want to make people aware of the beauty around them as well as the interesting patterns that make life so much more enjoyable." Culver says that her work is more of a statement of things, a way to let others see the world the way she sees it, in a way that pleases the eye. Her artistic edge allows her to take advantage of whatever she might find, wherever she is at any moment, and turn that into something startling, highly contrasting (as when she juxtaposed the urban decay of Asbury Park with the serenity of Allaire State Park), or even humorous. Her trained graphic arts side joins with her natural creative instincts to take various elements of a subject and bring them to the fore, highlighting shapes, colors and angles commonly overlooked in the everyday rush. Culver's art has gone through many phases, from her "personal trauma series," which expresses commonly hidden emotions and personal dilemmas, to her series on Longwood Gardens, which captures the exquisite beauty of nature in full bloom. Her award-winning piece, titled "Joe Pye and the Swallowtail," from the Longwood Gardens series, works its way out from a central photo of a distant, almost mystical-looking gazebo reflected in a lake. Framing this peaceful image are photos of the softly colored pink Joe Pye flower clusters, giving background to a yellow swallowtail butterfly. What may appear to be smooth, marbleized matting surrounding this is actually strategically cut and placed strips and squares of pictures Culver took of the sage green lake itself, with catfish casting the appearance of marbleization. The outermost border adds yet another texture, with colorful, tall blossoms completing this magnificent piece. Culver's early works were created only for friends, whose enthusiasm over her vision encouraged her to display pieces publicly. She first exhibited at the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury in 1996 and since then has participated in numerous solo and group shows, presentations, and demonstrations. She has been both exhibitor and judge at various art competitions. Nine of her floral collages were selected to appear in the independent movie production "Love from the Machine," due to be released later this year, in which she makes a personal appearance as well. In addition, a large number of her works have won awards in many varied categories both locally and nationally. Always reaching new levels with her art and known as a maverick by those closest to her, Culver is now experimenting with dimensional images that appear to protrude from their backgrounds or sway in an unseen breeze. Her art has so moved and impressed viewers that she has been asked to create pieces on commission. Culver's original artwork can be seen at various times in exhibits at the Guild of Creative Art, located at 620 Broad St. in Shrewsbury, or you can visit her Web site at www.vickyweb.net. Giclee prints, sometimes referred to as "piezo," are also available in limited editions. Culver selected this reproduction process because it uses archival inks for long life and loses no definition. The Guild of Creative Art is the oldest and largest art community of its kind in New Jersey. The nonprofit organization is "dedicated to advancing excellence in visual arts through teaching, exhibitions, and workshops." Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call the Guild at (732) 741-1441. u