Okay, so here's the deal, the bottom line, in brutal honesty. I'm still trying to find my way out of my extended art slump, and just not sure how to do that, or when it might happen. I keep hoping and praying it will happen soon, but who knows? It could happen today, tomorrow, or beyond that. I dread thinking of the "beyond that". I feel certain I will find my way out sooner or later, and that even yes, there is a reason for it, one I don't understand. I'm not "okay" with it, especially concerning my blog. But then again, learning to be "okay" with it might be the best approach and help me out in the long run. I'm not sure where true inspiration and motivation come from, it seems to be rather mysterious to me. If I could just produce it on command, that would be so great. However, sad to say, I haven't figured out just how to do that. If I ever do, I'll be sure and let you know.
This is another spread in my cherished Melange Book. I definitely love the right page more, because I'm a nut for using rusted found objects in my art. And I have a great stash of RFOs, one that might be the envy of many, most scavenged from my local truck stop parking lot. So there's a tip for you. The background on this page is wallboard joint compound. I think I also used some walnut ink crystals misted with water. The snake and centipede were added last, kind of as an afterthought, but I like them, even though they are kind of creepy. I also used fabric threads and cheese cloth.
I'm wondering, how many of you out there use rusted found objects in your art? And if you do, where do find them? Do you get excited when you find them....like I do? And are we crazy to get excited about a rusted object we might find? Most sane people would say yes, and not understand at all. But hey, with us artists, it's mostly a "given" that we understand quite well. It has to do with the heart of an artist, in my humble opinion. And with something found unexpectedly that can be used in our art. And with recycling something in a creative, positive way that would normally be thrown in the trash. And with the nature aspect of it, of nature causing and creating the rust. And with the rich color and texture, that is hard to replicate any other way. These are the reasons I love rusted found objects and love using them in my art. If any of you have anything to add to this discussion, please do so. I'd love to hear what you have to say about rusted found objects. I think it's a subject well worth discussing.
So anyway, here is my latest post on my blog. And I'm happy to post this for the first time. And if it stirs up a discussion on RFO's, that's great and would do my heart good.
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8 comments:
Hi Val Love rusted stuff and have a lot of it, keys, belt buckles, safety pins , hardware, some of it was rusted and some i rusted, it was fun and I liked the look I got from it. I used it in my KC Willis pieces and small stuff in my swaps and challenges for group work. I love the keys most, they just look so vintage.I even did nails large and small and some bottle caps-- I like assemblage pieces and rusted stuff is really nice for that.
Awesome honey...I love it.
Hi Val...I love rusted things also. I get so excited when I find it. When we were renovating our house I left a plastic container full of nuts, bolts, keys,lots of odds and ends outside on our patio. Yes, it is all rusty now and was I excited and surprise when I came across them. My favorite place to find rusted things is in parking lots. I am always running into something from looking backwards and down in the parking lot, yes I'm a KlutZ. lol.
I don't just love that centipede page - I WANT it! I love these rusted things that I've only just discovered - well, their use in art, there's plenty of old rusted things around this place, but my dh might be insulted to hear me describe his treasures thus, and would get extremely annoyed if I started moving them from their current homes and into my artwork!
Hi Val. Rusty treasures are my thing. Fortunately for me my part of my husband's business is taking apart old bulldozers. I find such good stuff it almost makes me jump with excitement. Sometimes I have to give it back though because he says he still needs it. Nice round rusty washers from bulldozer tracks fit just nicely around men's old watch crystals.
Hi Val, I'm sorry you're in a bit of a quiet period creativity wise but it's probably what you need and you'll be back with more energy after a while. I adore all things rusty and collect rusted items at every opportunity. I have old tools, nuts and bolts, keys, nails, bottle tops, tin cans, anything I can find as I go about every day. I keep some outside where they can get even rustier and also use them to dye fabric with. I love it, it's great fun. I have decided not to stitch it together on my machine though as I've heard the rust can transfer to the machine and cause problems. My rust collection has recently been swelled by clearing out a friend's shed and gathering the rusty tools. Yay!
Hi Val,
I love rusted things. I use them in assemblage and found object jewellery. I search in garages and junk stores, I rust my own stuff, but most embarassingly, I scan the footpaths and parking lots. I do wonder if I look like a bag lady, picking up bits of "rubbish" from the roadside! C'est la vie, though I do hope I'm not seen by anyone I know.
YES! I [heart] rusted stuff! My best find(s) were right across the road from my house. My neighbor loves his beer and right in front of his house I found about 8 smashed, rusted bottle caps. Treasure indeed!
I find myself wanting to gravitate from paper to metal stuff here recently. I'll keep you posted. :)
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