Sunday, August 24, 2008

I've been busy making art -- woohoo!



Yes indeed, I've had more time to make art lately, and have devoted it to that end. Which pleases me because I don't always accomplish that. This top piece is a layered collage postcard, 4x6 inches. I used dress pattern tissue paper, gold wrapping paper, napkins, and paint sample. I used the paint sample distress technic for the shapes, which I explained in my August 20th post. I've only used napkins a few times before in my art, and I think I need to get them out and use them more often. They aren't doing me any good stuck away in a drawer.

I used light spackle on the second piece. Since it has very little moisture, and is harder to work with than caulk or wallboard joint compound, I chose to add some water to it with a spray bottle. I didn't add a lot of water, but enough to mix in with it and make it spreadable. Then I spread, or frosted it on with a plastic pallet knife on one area, but not all over the whole piece. Then I stamped into part of it with a heart stamp, cut from vinyl carpet runner. I bought it at a yard sale, and it has swirls on the under side, so I cut it into different shapes for stamps that work great for stamping into caulk, joint compound, and spackle. I also used a swirl stamp with paint on the left upper side.

The small heart in the center of the swirl heart just happened when I pulled the stamp up. (When stamping into caulk, jc, or spackle, you have to use a release agent. I use Armor All protectant, which works well and has no odor to it.) It looked like the shape of a heart, so I outlined it with a brown marker. I embedded the key into the spackle, but it didn't adhere when dry, so I had to glue it on. I used brown acrylic paint, brown shoe polish, and gold Lumiere paint on the piece. I also used an awl to distress parts of it, the parts without the spackle. I used tea dyed cheese cloth on the lower left corner. I'm happy with the texture on this, but not so thrilled with how the colors came out, especially on the scan. The parts that look almost peach are actually gold. I suppose I could repaint it, but don't know if I will.

I have a new needle felt piece posted below, that I made a few weeks ago. So yes, I've been working on art more than usual, because I've had more time to do it. I'm happy about that.

11 comments:

Iowa Sunshine said...

I really like the one with the heart and key. It's beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

peggy gatto said...

I enjoyed seeing your felted work. Lovely!
I am doing felted critters and love "poking" around!

Ackart said...

I really love your art style. So much texture!! Now you can add felting to your texture talent. What do you do with all your art? Do you sell it?

Moonwillow said...

These are great! your right, use that stuff (then you can buy more!) Thanks for explaining the process, I enjoy your blog postings.

Penny said...

Lovely stuff, I dont play with collage as much as I would like.

Heather Robinson said...

Every time I visit, I wish that we lived closer so that I could learn your techniques. I love that you describe them in your posts because the artwork is stunning.

Helen Percy Lystra said...

I love both of them... have to go back and see the directions on Aug 20

Anonymous said...

Hi Valerie,

I read your words about collections at the Pulse today and these words struck me: 'As a lot of artists do, right? I mean right?, because I need to know I'm not alone or weird in doing this.)
My answer to this: no, you are certainly not alone and/or weird in doing that!!Wherever I walk, be it on the streets or on the beach or wherever, as soon as I see something slightly 'not normal'I dive downwards and feel like a queen having found another treasure. For me it is an artist thing, looking in a different way at everyday stuff.

Anonymous said...

I just love the Key piece! I just want to run my fingers all over it! LOL!

Diva Di ;)

Jo Anne O. said...

Val! I really love the art you have been making and am so proud to own that great PINK page!

I have something for you over on my latest blog post! Come over and see what it is!

Hugs, Jo Anne

nancy said...

I'm totally smitten with the one at the top of this post. Although all your recent work is wonderful.
Nancy