Last Updated on February 27, 2020

Alan Jordan Lew was born in Houston, TX 1977.

I started as a classical music composer at 14 then when I turned 17, mixed media collage work came into my life. Reccurring nightmares plagued me at the time about fear of the future, and the consequence of human burden. I was in my last year of high school yet depression seemed to get a hold of me more. The only way at the time to deal with the pressure of school & music was to open myself visually.

I am a local visual artist, and have been part of 8 group shows. I still love composing music. From modern classical to riot electro-rock. I either do art or music most parts of the day, and long into the night.

Method

At first I usually have no idea what the image will look like. It’s a process that becomes easier as long as you start somewhere!

I methodically cut small pieces of paper to reconstruct the image onto another natural pattern. It was a hypnotizing experience. For hours I would make patterns and cut the patterns up on another prepared collage. Then sometimes cut that up again. Turning out almost as a “self recycled collage”

Trying to learn the value of space vs. detail comes along the way when color is balanced with shape. My only tools are a pair of regular sized scissors, as many glue sticks as it takes, and applied with my finger.

I’m not used to working with tools such as tweezers. If dealing with 3-dimensional work I must use pliers to break off parts from circuit boards and certain metals.

You can see more of Alan’s gorgeous & highly detailed work online