Saturday, January 3, 2009

Starkness of Winter

This is another winter piece, and quite different in appearance from the last one. I wanted this one to look more real, more raw, more natural. I found a very weathered piece of corrugated cardboard behind our garage, distressed naturally by nature. That's what inspired me to do this piece. Then I pulled the rusted piece out of my rusted found objects (RFOs) stash. Oh yeah....this was a perfectly rusted piece! The leaf I picked up from my yard a while back, and stuck it in a book to flatten it, so I pulled that out too. Then I scavenged in my yard for just the right twig. And then I was ready to start on this piece.

The base on this is an 8x10 inch piece of frozen pizza cardboard (FPC). I probably should've used chip board, because there's some minor, minimal warping on this, but not bad enough to effect it much. The white background is white caulk spread on with a vintage, non-serrated butter knife. I texturized it as I spread it, then let it dry for about three hours. Then I sprinkled on some walnut ink crystals, spray misted it with water, and let the ink run down the piece randomly. Then I used double stick carpet tape to adhere the corrugated cardboard. I'm so glad I thought of using the tape on this, because using Matte Mod Podge or gel medium would've been much messier and more difficult, especially with a non-flat piece of corrugated cardboard.

After I adhered that, I glued down the leaf, the tea dyed cheese cloth, the rusted metal, and the twig. Then I sprinkled some more walnut ink crystals over those areas, spray misted with water, and just let it dry. The last thing I glued down was the feather, as kind of an after thought.

There are different colors and textures of winter, in my mind. After a fresh snowfall, there can be pristine beauty, eery stillness, even a peaceful feeling. But there can also be starkness, and the color of brown, rather than white, can dominate. I was trying to express starkness in this piece.

27 comments:

Unknown said...

You nailed it!!! This one captures how I feel about winter. Just stunning!

Christy said...

This is officially now my new favorite piece of yours. I just love this one. This is something I never get to see (snow, the starkness of that wooded or craggy scene). And yea, I think you hit what your were describing with your words in this piece right on.

Wendy said...

Val i love this piece.To me the leaf and cheesecloth really make this piece stand out.

Anonymous said...

I really love this one, Val. Just beautiful!

Zeborah Loray said...

You have beautifully captured what it looks like at my house right now. You got the feel of it just right.

Susie said...

I love the explanation almost as much as the piece. Wonderful expression of winter and I love too that you have a stash of Rusty Found Objects. Your enthusiasm for the medium really shines through in your work.

Mary S. Hunt said...

emulates ALL of winters elements
terrifically well presented!

peggy gatto said...

Wonderful crunchy texture feeling that works so well in this piece!

Seth said...

This is such a great piece. It is like you scooped up and captured nature right here. And what incredible texture. Thanks for the play by play too!

Eileen said...

Val, this one is wonderful.....love everything about it.....

Eileen

Sue said...

Love it, Val - thanks for sharing so many details.

Anonymous said...

This piece is gorgeous, love the organic feel to it! And I so appreciate sharing your technique with the caulk, something I'll have to try soon. I've used caulk for transfers, but hadn't thught of the texture, or using walnut ink in the manner that you did-and it all worked wonderfully! I'm g0ing to add your link to my blog, to make sure I can always find you and so a few others do, too!

Artefaque: (är'tə-fākt') * said...

Where I come from, I do not winters such as this..but you piece makes me imagine!

Creatively Lisa said...

Val, this is currently my favorite piece of yours. I love all the natural beauty in it.

Iowa Sunshine said...

Val, This is just beautiful! You really captured the feel that you wanted. I just love it! =) HUGS

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed looking at this and reading your description of each step of the process and your interpretation of the elements. You are a teacher as well as an artist! -teri

justthesmallstuff said...

LOVE the natural and earthy look of this piece. Beautiful!

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic- I really love the rustic qualities of the weathered cardboard and metal- all of my favorite items- leaves, corrugated, feather, RFOs!!! GREAT inspiration...

Artist-How-To said...

Amazing, simply amazing!

Raindancer1 said...

This piece is unreal!!! I love it..and thanks for sharing the steps that went into it. I have just started with this and I can see I need to change or add something to my thinking...you are an inspiration!

Raindancer1
Paula

Ackart said...

I love the colors in this piece. I dont know where you got such a nice leaf in colorado. I usually bring some home every fall from the east. I'll have to try out those walnut crystals. Ive never done that before. Thanks for sharing!!!

mary schweitzer said...

I am ,once again, in awe of your work! Amazing.
Mary

Anonymous said...

Val - this is gorgeous! I love winter and this is like a beautifully set black and white photo of it - only with more texture. Great piece of art!

Heather Robinson said...

Wow~! Your artwork very much evokes feeling. I can't always quite put my finger on exactly what I'm feeling but it is like you capture a mood that I've experienced somewhere in my life. This truly is a gift, my friend!! Hugs...

papercracker said...

I love this piece - great job with the texture and colors of winter!

nancy said...

Wow! I DO llove this one!
Nancy

Elis Cooke said...

Great use of a subtle palette of colour... and it does indeed feel like the starkness of winter in a different way than the previous post! namaste Elis.