Friday, January 30, 2009

Collaborative Project -- Fairy in a Tree

Wow! Isn't this a fabulous piece of art? And I'm the very lucky owner of it. Recently my good art buddy, Mary Schweitzer,http://greenwomandesign.blogspot.com/, and I agreed to do a personal swap. We wanted to do a collaborative project. And so we did, and this is my piece that I get to keep and admire and treasure. We each worked on our own 8x10 pieces, then sent them to each other to be worked on, and then sent them back.This was a first, and totally new to us, to do this kind of collaboration. I think we were both nervous about working on each other's art, but that was the whole point, so we jumped in and did it. For results we couldn't have gotten on our own, as this beautiful piece shows. And I'd like to encourage those of you who do personal swaps to consider doing a collab effort like this, because you don't know what to expect. And what you get back can be so much better than what you sent, as this piece proves.

I made the collage background, and Mary made the oh so realistic tree, with a fairy perched in it. I mean truly, doesn't this tree look totally real??? When it came in the mail and I opened it, I was bowled over and blown away with what she did on this. And immediately emailed her to ask HOW she made the tree. She made the tree with brown tissue paper and gel medium, and lots of scrunching and shaping. I think she should do a tutorial on this on her blog. Because I've never seen tissue paper used this way before, nor seen such a realistic, dimensional tree on art before. I'm just so lucky it's on my art, and that I'm the lucky owner of this fabulous piece.

I've admired Mary's art for a long time now, even to the point of (shame on me) envy. I consider her a very innovative and avant garde artist, who tends to think outside the box and push the envelope when it comes to her beautiful art. I was thrilled when she agreed to do his collab swap with me. And I'm more than thrilled with this art work, and that we followed through on our idea to do a collab project.

So thank you so much Mary, I couldn't be more pleased with how this worked out. I'm so lucky and proud to own some of your avant garde art. Please visit Mary's blog, and enjoy her beautiful art. And if you even feel a bit envious, I can relate to that. And if you want to see Mary's piece, and what I did on it, she has it posted on her blog. What is so interesting to me is how very different our pieces are, and what we both did on the other's pieces. That's what's so cool about doing a collab effort -- you just don't know how it will turn out until you get it back.

So right now, I'm thinking COLLABORATION RULES!!! Can you blame me?

29 comments:

Iowa Sunshine said...

Wow! This is just so wonderful! I hope she does do the tutorial on the tree. I'd love to try this! You are SO lucky to have this. HUGS

Unknown said...

Val+Mary = work of art. You are so right this collaboration has worked brilliantly... the whole piece is a whole even though it was done in 2 halves, amazing work girls

LOVE IT *takes a bow*
Big hugz

Anonymous said...

Very successful collaboration, Val! And, yes, that tree is terrific. I was thinking "Somerset Studio" when I saw this piece.
MF

Nelly said...

Fabulous!! The whole piece is really is awesome and that tree its truly amazing!
Nelly

MrsLoomis said...

fabulously cool---

Anonymous said...

I love this tree!!!! Nice work!!!
Melissa
www.primfixins.blogspot.com

Sue said...

Oh, Val, you always post the best stuff, but this...it's just superb! Lucky (and talented) you!

Christy said...

I have had the pleasure of doing one collaboration and I really understand your sense of joy and amazement. This piece is stunning and yes, Mary's work is top notch. I would definitely title her as avant garde without hesitation. The first piece I ever saw of Mary's was actually a frame for a piece of her art and it blew me away. I'm the proud owner (well, I gave the art to my mom as a gift) of the first piece Mary posted on her Etsy shop. I loved it when she posted it on a group and when she announced it was on her Etsy I clicked as fast as my fingers could to buy it :) Her abilities combined with your own avant garde style of creating texture and this is a stunning result! Congrats to you both!

Mary S. Hunt said...

collaborative work is a fulfilling venture...y'all nailed it
what a successful bounty..

you have probably started a new trend
:)

this is a beautiful piece!

daysease said...

I agree, quite an amazing tree!!! Love it!! Now that must have been quite a lesson in trust, and also in Cooperation. What a neat object lesson for all of us... Am I that bold, to hand over a piece of my art to someone else to "tamper" with? Hmmm... Now that IS something to think on. Thanks for the food for thought. Have a great day that the Lord has made! :-)

Celita

http://daysease.blogspot.com/

Genie said...

just wonderful!!

Rosie said...

Thanks so much for sharing this Val... it's wonderful and that tree? A-maz-ing! Sounds like you have shared a really great experience on this piece of art.
Off to see Mary's blog!

Oak said...

It's fabulous!

Sharon House said...

Val...

What a wonderful collaborative effort from two very talented artists!

I've been messing with trying to make a realistic tree (to no avail) and I had to chuckle to myself when I saw the one that Mary did! Talk about perfect timing...

For texture lovers, this is a very special piece! Great work ladies.

Sharon
http://www.mystoryart.com

bloubell said...

Love the piece. Really your best.

Pat said...

Val, you and Mary are two of my favorite artists....always innovative! This piece is just incredible and though it was done by two artists, there is no way to tell where it began and where it ended. Just perfection!
Pat

Linda East said...

Ditto what Christy said about you two being Avant Guard...this is awesome work.

Create & Share
Linda (Okla(

marianne said...

hi val- this is great- and i love the piece that she ended up with too- what a fun idea!

i have an award for you on my blog, if you'd like to stop by and take a look-

Lisa said...

Wow, it's gorgeous! I'm a tree hugger and I've got to try this with the tissue paper. I also collected an altoid tin full of Cicada wings from our invasion last year. What an inspiration to use them!

Inka said...

Wow this came out just fabulous! I am also one of Mary’s admirers and I am so proud to have one of her pieces in my studio. I do hope she does a tutorial on the tree too. I would love to learn that!

Brenda said...

I can see why you are so pleased with this collaborative effort, it is brilliant.

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic! You two compliment each other so well. Great art!!!

peggy gatto said...

I really like looking at this piece, alot going on! Very nice!!!!

Therese said...

Okay, I am so impressed...my tissue tree was not as realistic as this, so bravo! This gives a new level to try for...is there or will there be a tutorial please, please please??

Sue Farace said...

great job again!

One Creative Queen said...

I just love this! You should be proud of it - you guys did a great job. The background goes so well with everything..it's just wonderful. I'm really glad you shared!

Katherine

Unknown said...

Wow Valerie! I love it! Great job. :)

Unknown said...

Very impressive...when someone creates art...It is very personal & to send it to someone to add their creativity to it is a very trusting step. But you both should be very proud of this collaboration...It is wonderful! The tree is a great addition to your lovely background to be sure

Sue McGettigan said...

This is fabulous, I just visited Mary's blog to see how she made the tree. Your background is beautiful, what a fun way to work collaboratively!