Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Key to Your Wish collage

Gee, I'm shocked, shocked I tell you. That I'm actually WANTING to do layered collage, as opposed to avoiding it like the plague. Who knew I'd ever get to this point? I know I sure didn't. So yes, this truly does shock me, but also pleases me very much. Hmmm, perhaps it really is true that we must face our fears in order to overcome them. That seems to be working for me so far, in doing these layered collages. And I'm thrilled about that.

This is something I "threw together" yesterday in just a few hours. (That's amazing to me also.) It's for a personal swap with an online art friend (Hi Linda!). She suggested we do a swap about a year ago, but I had other art commitments at that time, and couldn't do it then. I told her maybe we could do it sometime in the future. So, the future is here, and we both agreed it was a good time to do a swap. And gee, I haven't done an art swap in many months, so I was very pleased and motivated to do this one. And I didn't even have to agonize over what to make. I love it when art happens that way, don't you?

This piece is 5x7, which is a new format for me. I mostly work on 5x5 art squared formats, or else 4x6 postcard formats. But I was game to try a different size and format, and am glad I did. There are similarities with this piece to the last two collages I posted. I glued down a piece of light blue fabric (dimensional) from a fabric sample book onto frozen pizza cardboard. Then glued down a poem torn from a book, music paper, and a definition of Precious cut from a dictionary. Then I rubbed brown shoe polish on the whole piece. Then I used brown acrylic paint sponged onto swirl stamps, and stamped a few times.

Then I painted wallboard joint compound on with a brush in certain spots. After that dried, I rubbed blue glaze on with my finger in certain areas, and rubbed brown shoe polish over them again. I was mostly going with the brown/blue color theme. Then I remembered that recently, in my local art group, I had dyed some cheese cloth blue and purple, so I pulled that out and used it on the lower right side. And also used a piece of tea dyed cheese cloth on the upper left side. I used some brown netted fabric over the blue cheese cloth, and a strip of it towards the top.

Then I cut a strip (the brown embroidered piece) from a blouse/frock I found at a yard sale a while back, and glued that down. The hearts were punched out of a textured paint sample. The key is one I got in a lot of keys off ebay. LOVE THOSE OLD KEYS, AND KEEP LOOKING ON EBAY TO SCARF UP A GOOD DEAL ON MORE. HOWEVER, THEY DON'T GO FOR CHEAP. And the "wish" part came last, and fit nicely on the key.

And I sealed the piece, once again, with Acrylic Floor Finish from the Family Dollar store. When I used it in the past, it gave a non-glossy satin finish, as opposed to the glossy finish that Future Floor Finish gives. I really liked having the choice of using a satin or glossy finish. But now, I'm almost out of the AFF, and using the last few ounces, so it has thickened, and now it's giving a glossy finish. Don't know what's up with that, it's a surprise, but I think I need to buy a new bottle of it. Well, I've had this bottle for a few years now, and perhaps it changes over time?

So anyway, this is the art I ended up with, and I'm pleased with it. I really enjoy using paper and fabric together in one piece. And gluing down a dimensional/textured fabric piece as a background ends up interesting, because it provides lots of texture right off the bat. I've learned that when I do that, I don't have to add a lot of texture, even though I tend to anyway, to a certain extent. The cheese cloth is always a good way to add texture, and I love it. I love texture so much, sometimes I worry if I add too much texture to my art, as in over-kill. But I don't worry enough to stop doing it. And I don't normally use much text or words in my art, but I'm reconsidering that, and thinking I should do that more often.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really love those swirls...they just go with the whole flow of everything...and all those layers...sounds like fun and the result is fantastic! September

Mary S. Hunt said...

ohhhh i am a key person too
i just don't know what it is that spellbinds me to them
but i am always charmed for the keys

another great piece val!

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

I LOVE this piece, Val . . . it's really GORGEOUS!!! I'm so impressed with your collages!! They are SO elegant!!!!!

Jenny said...

Val- love the layered collage! I can't decide which I like better, this one or the one on CPS homepage. Really great stuff!-Jenny at www.CrashTestDummies.com

Linda East said...

Well you gessed it...I "peeked"... OMG Val it is so awesome...nanana
and I am the lucy girl that gets to hang it on her wall. This has been so much fun...I love that funky key and the text, and the swirls, and every thing about it.
I am telling you girl you should find a gallery and sell your collages... Collage is so hot right now and you are so good at it. There are artist out there that are not as talented as you and they are making lots of money selling their work.
THIS IS SO FANTASTIC...I can't wait for it to get to Oklahoma....
Luv Linda (Okla)

Moonwillow said...

You go girl! wow another beauty and lucky Linda!

Anonymous said...

Val i love the last 2 pieces you have done soooooooooo much texture....your an artist after my own heart :>)

You go girl kepp staying inspired, feels great huh?

Unknown said...

Mawwwvelous! "threw it together" indeed! You're definitely on a roll.

Anonymous said...

Way to go, Val! This piece is beautiful! I agree you should probably open an Etsy shop and sell these.

nancy said...

Val, THis is wonderful. I started one when I read your last post and it is partially finished. Using a larger format (than atc's) still throws me, so my design looks great - in spots! But I'm going to pick it up again and do some more, since you've inspired me again!
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain what you do.
Nancy

Pat said...

Val, yummy is my word for this one! All your recent collages are gorgeous and a half! Get those things out in the public....they're going to be clamoring for them. When you are famous, we can say we knew you "when"! LOL!
Pat

Unknown said...

Atta girl and nice work! Lovely layers! :)

Stacie @ azoho.com said...

Great pieces Val- I agree, you're on a roll!

Christy said...

I must have missed this collage. Wow this piece is fabulous. Love everything about it!