Saturday, December 13, 2008

The Joy of Serendipity

This is my latest work, just finished. I spent a few hours on it today. Well, I have to admit that I'm rather slow when it comes to creating art, I can never rush through it and get it done quickly. Even when I think I can, and try to, it never works out that way. However, I do have to say I really enjoyed making this piece, and it was fun and easy. Why??? Because I was in the "zone", of just doing whatever came to mind. No stress, no pressure, no angst, no frustration, etc. Gee, it would be so, so cool if I could be in the "zone" all the time, but noooo, that's not the way it works out a good part of the time. So when I'm actually in the zone, I truly appreciate it and enjoy it.

I was SO in the zone on this piece, it's even hard for me to remember exactly how it came about and the steps involved in making it. I started out with a 5x7 piece of frozen pizza cardboard. And then used my very sharp awl to distress the brown side of it, which I've never done before. And rubbed brown show polish over it. I always paint or glue down a background first, but this time I didn't. Then I glued down some torn music paper, map paper, and text paper, and rubbed more shoe polish over it. Then I glued down some strips of rusted dryer sheets and rusted fabric and fibers from fraying the fabric. I also glued down a large skeleton leaf.

Then I used my Walnut Hollow Hot Stamps tool, which is basically a woodburning tool, and heat stamped the letters and numbers on. I thought it was finished at that point, but it wasn't. I sealed the whole piece with Future Floor Finish for a glossy effect, and while it was still wet, flicked Pearl Ex on it in gold and then copper. Again, I thought it was done, but decided no.... as in I had to push the envelope. I chose to spray mist it with Memories Mists in Strawberry Daiquiri and Mango Lemonade -- the only two colors of mists I own. And I totally love those two colors together!!

I confess, I was VERY afraid to spray on the mists, because I liked it the way it already looked. I really had to argue with myself to do that, and take that risk, but I went ahead and did it. Now, after the fact, I kinda wish I hadn't, but I did, so it's too late now. I don't know, sometimes I think I don't know when to stop, and let a piece just be what it is. I have to hold my breath and cross my fingers that if I take it to the next step, I won't ruin it. And sometimes I do ruin it, or feel I do. And other times, I'm glad I took the risk, and feel it turned out better for it.

With this piece, I'm not sure. I thought it looked good before the spray mists, but I think it looks good now too. Oh well, it's too late to go back, so this is the end result. And I'm pleased with it. And very happy I was able to get in the "zone" today, which doesn't happen often enough.

I have chosen to enter this piece into this week's Mixed Media Monday challenge, which is "Gold".  (http://mixedmediamonday.wordpress.com/).  So just click on the URL and it will link you to that website.  I'm entering this piece because I flicked gold Pearl Ex onto it in several places.

21 comments:

Diane said...

Great work!
I love the warmth and depth of the colour and the texture.
You know what I like to do before I take the next step? Take a photo.

di from di-did-it said...

Isn't the zone delicious?
This piece is great! I love the depth, as well as the warm colors. There's just so much to look at and appreciate.
I know what you mean about being hesitant (yes, scared) to add something more to a piece that already feels good. I do what Diane does....take a picture. I also hope the more I create, the louder my muse will be when she says something is just right as-is & I shouldn't do anything further.

Along with your art, thanks for sharing your emotions as well as your techniques! I love your blog.

Anonymous said...

I love, love your piece! Thanks for sharing
Alex

Linda East said...

OMG it is another awesome piece from the Muse of Val...it is totally spectacular...you go girl.. this calls for an Eastism...
"Even though I struggle through the Valley of Raw Art I will fear no technique."...Luv LE

Christy said...

Another great textured collage. I hate when I can't remember all of the steps but I love it when I had so much fun I can't remember all of the steps. I think the mists? look fine, the piece is great. My 3 favorite letters and my 3 favorite numbers too!

Kim said...

I think the mists were a perfect last step (though I didn't see it before), and really really like it. So true, about being in the zone... when i am, art flows, when I'm not, nothing is right. Hey, how much frozen pizza do you eat, anyway? ;-)

Chaska Peacock said...

Oh, and wasn't it fun?! When I get in the zone, I forget just what I did! I just reach for colors, sprays, etc. and when I come back into my body, I am astonished. There is a saying about God and the artist, and the less the artist does, the better.......Wish I could remember, but that's the gist of it.

Anonymous said...

This is great--how do you get the rusted dryer sheet? I love it.

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

Hi Val!
This is GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS! GORGEOUS!! I LOVE this piece of artwork! It's hard to believe it's made with a pizza box and shoe polish! THANKS for sharing!

Tricia said...

I really, really like your piece. It was very interesting to me to read what you wrote about being "in the zone". I am not really an artist, just a dabbler, but I have had those situations and also some level of frustrations that I didn't understand. It is kind of neat to see that it is not abnormal or weird. Thanks for sharing.

Wendy said...

OH wow i love the texture. Being in the zone is great. Pity we can't stay in the zone all the time.

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh I love this! The bright copper leaves are gorgeous! Don't you just love this weather? I hate winter too! Our high today was 9 degrees!!!!! I don't remember it being this cold - do you? Marva

Iowa Sunshine said...

This is wonderful...Zonariffic? LOL. I think your too hard on yourself as most artists are. =) I love it! HUGS

Heather Robinson said...

Oh I know how you feel about adding that last touch especially when you love a piece the way it is....but you took the risk and it just enhance this spectacular artwork. It is so organic and earthy.

Anonymous said...

Can I come to your zone? I love it!

Unknown said...

Val, This and your last two pieces are all beautiful. They are in my favorite colors-- browns!!!! So rich!

Femmy said...

beautiful warm colors!! love it!

Susie Dally said...

Awesome-it has it all!

~*~Patty S said...

Wonderful texture and depth to this piece! Welcome to MMM

Kris Dickinson said...

WOWzers! This is amazing!

Anonymous said...

Great piece! Thanks for participating on Mixed Media Monday - I hope you do so again soon! Diane