Polyvore is a website originally developed for users to “shop” the web, clipping fashion images to style into wish list collages. Although the vast majority of the collages (or “sets”) are still about fashion and home decor, artists from around the world have co-opted the site to play with the endless stream of images available on the the web.

With its simple intuitive photo editing tool, Polyvore allows those in need of an art fix to make delightful collages without gettin’ out the scissors and glue. It has been a delightful platform for self expression and visual play, and it allows artists from around the world to connect via imagery. I’ve made friends in Australia, England, Turkey and even Egypt, and have “followers” and follow people from all over the world. We share art that often eliminates the need for a shared language, and I have been touched to realize how much more alike we are than different.

It has made me acutely aware of world events as I wonder how my friends in Turkey and Egypt are doing during recent times of unrest, and how my friend in Australia weathered their drought and wildfires last year.  It has also prompted silly giggling with my friend in Australia about the vagaries of time and the International Date Line.

Polyvore allows access to untold number of images “clipped” from the web. On the site, the item’s source is automatically linked. Nonetheless, I an fully aware that I am playing with images that for the most part do not belong to me. That’s why I would never sell my collages made there, and why Polyvore has a copyright policy in place for copyright holders to request their images be removed from the site.  That said, should any artist see any image in my collages here that belongs to you and you want me to stop using, just let me know and I will be happy to take it down immediately.  I mean no disrespect of your work.

Curious? Check out my polyvore page here, and be sure to take a look at the wonderful artists I follow.  You, too, can make art friends from all around the world!