All the World’s a Collage to Darien Resident, Art Guru

Looking to get rid of that skateboard in the garage that’s just taking up space? Consider giving it to Laura Lein-Svencner of Darien.

For years the collage artist has been taking handmade or found papers and repurposing them into artwork on canvas, clayboard and even skateboards using gesso and molding pastes.

“The skateboard deck becomes a piece of artwork that hangs on a wall,” Lein-Svencner said. “It adds to that recycle and reuse thing and trying to be more green.

"I’m finding it’s a little harder to get [old skateboards] so I have ordered just plain skate decks. I really wish I could find more. I’ve got to keep putting the word out there.”

The married mother of four has long been drawn to art, including drawing, printmaking, sculpture, papermaking and collage.

“It’s always been my outlet--my safe place to go when things aren’t connecting right,” she said. “I always go to my art.”

After her youngest child began kindergarten several years ago, Lein-Svencner took a class in collage.

“The teacher said I had something. She said, ‘You should keep it up,’ so I kept going at it,” Lein-Svencner said.

She pursued her love of paper and soon she was exhibiting her work at local libraries, as well as becoming a member of many local and international collage groups. She also co-founded the Midwest Collage Society which exhibits throughout the Midwest region.

Currently Lein-Svencner teaches her techniques of collage at La Grange Art League and the Naperville Art League.

During the summer, she exhibits her artwork in art fairs as well as teaches collage workshops all over the Midwest, and blogs on her website.

“Each Tuesday I put up a piece of artwork on the blog with a price between $45 and $65,” she said. “I sold a piece, which is kind of exciting.”

For more information about Lein-Svencner, visit www.lauralein-svencner.com.