Is it folk art, fine art, or hand craft? While the professionals weigh in, the general public describes Lisa Nicks' postage stamp collages as taking a trip without going anywhere, celebratory, lessons in history, metaphysical story telling, the best way to exhibit a stamp collection (not the words of a stamp collector), and real art (the words of a serious stamp collector).

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Collage artist, Lisa Nicks, started by combining two (hereditary) passions, boxes and postage stamps, to create her postage stamp art collages. Since spontaneously beginning this adventure in 1995, she has created a large body of original works on boxes, canvasses, journals, planters, tiles, and other house hold objects including a toilet seat! What is better than functional art?

 

Ms. Nicks has also designed a line of reproductions ~ The Frame-ables ~, completed numerous commissions, self produced five shows, and continues to grow her company Lisa Nicks/Emerald City, Postage Stamp Collage. She markets at the Austin Texas Stamp Club, shows at selected art and craft fairs each year, and enjoys selling in the intimate atmosphere of art parties.

 

As a busy teenager, Lisa deserted her childhood postage stamp collection for a competitive gymnastics career and to seriously study dance. She went on to earn a degree in dance and business administration at Sam Houston State University, and embark on a career performing in modern dance companies, opera, and musical theater in Houston.

 

In the mid eighties, Ms. Nicks relocated to New York City and became a founding member of the Doug Elkins Dance Company, working as performer, rehearsal director, and chief financial officer of that company for seventeen years. She also coached gymnastics and managed her one-on-one exercise business.

 

When it was time to downsize Mom and Dad from house to condo, the old collection came out of the trunk and called for attention. Having dabbled in collage with magazine print, photos, m&m's, candle wax, hotel bar soap, and liquor bottle labels, she boldly ripped out the "love" stamps and covered a box.  And so it is  .   .   .   .

 

Now an avid Austinite, Ms. Nicks creates and sells postage stamp art, choreographs and performs modern dance, teaches dance, and loves Crabtrees.