Commissioned for a new Ritz Carlton hotel near Lake Tahoe, this collage captures the majestic trees and rocks of the local environments, reflected in the gorgeous Sierra waters.

Rocks above the water disappear at the water line. We separate the landscape into water and shore. Caught between these two worlds, one above the water and one below, is the world of reflections. Sometimes the light is just right, and we can see all three worlds at once. That is the moment that is captured in this work.

This collage was a private commission.  The original is located in the home’s entryway.

This is a studio piece and explores a favorite subject - rocks and water. It depicts the three worlds that can come together at one time - the above-water world, the rocks below the water, and the reflections.

This was a private commission for an executive office in the Cal EPA building. Since retiring, this executive has moved the piece to their home.

Location - Whole Foods Corporate Headquarters, Emeryville CA The three collages, Sierra Stream 1, 2 and 3  were commissioned by Wareham Development for a corporate entry lobby.  It is part of a transit-oriented development in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Original hangs in the conference room at Runyon, Saltzman, and Einhorn.

This is one of four pieces created for “12 Voices”, an international juried show that opened at the Dennos Art Museum in Traverse City, Michigan in September of 2008. As the show’s curator put it, “The 12 Voices’ exhibition will give viewers a rare, in-depth look at twelve of the best fabric artists working today.” All four collages have been purchased by private individuals.

This piece was commissioned by Kaiser Permanented for a hospital in Merced, located near the Stanislaus River

This collage was a private commission.  The original is located in the home’s living room.

This is studio work, focusing on the meeting of rocks and water. Because of the small size of this original, the threads and textures are unusually apparent, especially in enlargements. It is currently located in a private home.

This was a private commission.  It is based on photos provided by the client of a favorite park in their home state.

This was a private commission.  It is based on photos provided by the client, an avid rafter, depicting a side canyon of the Grand Canyon.

Location - California Environmental Protection Agency's headquarters Part of an eight-piece series commissioned for Cal/EPA’s headquarters, each collage represents a geographic feature unique to California.  The collages are each on their own floor, arranged vertically by elevation - with Mt. Shasta on the top floor and Monterey Bay Canyon on the lowest floor.

This is studio work, focusing on the meeting of rocks and water. Because of the small size of this original, the threads and textures are unusually apparent.

Original Sewn Fabric Collage 14" x 18" This is studio work, focusing on the meeting of rocks and water. Because of the small size of this original, the threads and textures are unusually apparent.

Despite clearly representing water, this piece also presents itself as an abstract image.

MERLE AXELRAD

MERLE AXELRAD

PAINTING WITH FABRIC