See A Penny, Pick It Up. Or Paint It, If You're Jacqueline Lou Skaggs.

above: Venus Dreams, 1963

13 pennies are used as miniature canvases for oil paintings titled "Tondi Observations" by Indiana artist Jacqueline Lou Skaggs.


above: The Plastic Magician, 1984

In the artist's own words:
"This small body of twelve works consist of images painted on found, discarded pennies. These pictures pay homage to, not only, the binding ideologies that define our family, religious, social and political worlds- but also to the resonating mythological powers of traditional painting and miniature picture making- much like the Dutch oils on copper from the 17th century. Paid tribute no less on the face of discarded coins these iconic images transcend the coins value while, to some extent, defacing it.

"Abe's Millennium" is a portrait from a found thrift-store photograph (regrettably sold at a yard sale). The title comes from my knowing that we still have a long way to go.

above: Abe's Millenium, 1973

"Kisses and Ghosts" is from a portrait of my mother as a child standing next to a bird bath with her brother. I once read a report in which children were asked what they feared most. The two most popular answers were "kisses" and "ghosts".

above: Kisses and Ghosts, 1951

"Four Witches Stand" is a line in the Pledge of Allegiance.

above: four Witches Stand, 1978

"The Unburning Bush" is a bush that never burned.

above: The Unburning Bush, 1992

"The Field of Sleeping Peasants" is waiting for Picasso.

above: Field of Sleeping Peasants, 1971

"The Baptistery" honors the rain Gods for suburban birds.

above: the Baptistry, 1980

"Through carelessness..." is a random line chosen with my eyes closed from the Chinese book of chance, I-Ching.

above: Through Carelessness He Loses His Cow, 1944

"A Pile of Burnt Wood" is just that, in the approaching evening light. "A Still Life" is too still... and so on.

above: A Pile Of Burnt Wood, 1983

above: A Still Life, 1976

Initially these coins were going to be spent- nestled with other coins in an exchange of goods. Or tossed back to the sidewalks from whence they came. Nice thoughts. However, these works remain hoarded as art rather than currency or discarded, valueless copper."

above: The Last Supper Table, 1990

Jacqueline is currently represented by SUGAR, 449 Troutman St #3-5, Bushwick, Brooklyn #718.417.1180
jacquelinelouskaggs.com

brought to my attention by the Global Art Junkie

Mark Wagner Gives All Other Currency Artists A Run For Their Money. UPDATED.

At the moment, tattoo artist Scott Campbell's cut currency seems to be the most blogged about and cited artwork when it comes to cut up money. And artist Hanna von Goeler paints upon United States currency. But it's the work of artist Mark Wagner that I find the most impressive. Using only $1 bills, Mark creates extraordinary 'currency collages'.

The image below is brand new, sent to me by the artist late last night. Titled "Duh-dunt…" after the Jaws theme:

detail:

Other examples:


detail from above right image:




His latest and most topical currency collage, Vote With Your Pocketbook, features the presidential candidates Obama and Romney for 2012:




Mark's currency collages are a sight to behold. The dedication, composition and cutting up of one dollar bills to create intricate detailed tapestry-like posters is simply astounding.

From recreating famous artworks like Grant Wood's American Gothic and Chuck Close's self-portrait:

American Gothic details:


Chuck Close portrait details:



...to creating original images of animals, faces, scenes and plants, the collages are all made with American one dollar bills, a blade, glue, patience and a butt-load of talent.


detail of center piece above:




detail from above piece:





It is amazing what Wagner can create with the limited palette of colors, shapes and subjects from the two color inked engraved dollar bills. Below is a close-up look at some of my favorites.

Mermaid:





Honeycomb and bees:


Lion Tamer:



Circus Lion:



Flower Monster:



Angler fish/ Monster/Mermaid:


Three Georges In a Boat:



About the Artist:
Mark Wagner was born quietly in the rural Midwest at the tail end of thirteen children. Since leaving the sandbox at the age of fourteen, he has continued his creative career in the fields of writing, collage, and bookmaking. He is co-founder of The Booklyn Artists Alliance, and has published books under the name Bird Brain Press and X-ing Books.
Wagner's work is collected by dozens of institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, The Walker Art Center, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. It has shown at The Metropolitan Museum, The Getty Research Institute, and The Brooklyn Museum.

The Artist's Statement About His Currency Collages:
The one dollar bill is the most ubiquitous piece of paper in America. Collage asks the question: what might be done to make it something else? It is a ripe material: intaglio printed on sturdy linen stock, covered in decorative filigree, and steeped in symbolism and concept. Blade and glue transform it-reproducing the effects of tapestries, paints, engravings, mosaics, and computers—striving for something bizarre, beautiful, or unbelievable... the foreign in the familiar.
Mark Wagner
American, B. 1976

For books and posters go to X-ing Books
Inquire about original currency collages at Pavel Zoubok Gallery
Inquire about artists books at The Booklyn Artists Alliance
In the Chicago area contact Western Exhibitions

Mark Wagner website