Art is about working out ideas. And when they don't turn out as planned, you make do with the result.
As I've mentioned many times before, I'm part of a journal exchange with my friend Lisa Busch of collagestuff.com. I really can't say enough how valuable I find both her friendship AND her shop, which has tons of great collage supplies. Moving on....
Because I've really made an effort to explore paint and stencils, I decided to do that with this spread in Lisa's journal. I like to start out these days with layering pieces of vintage papers first, because when I do these spreads it's with no plan whatsoever. Whatever happens, happens. Some call this the "Wabi Sabi" way of doing things, but I just call it flying by the seat of my pants.
I decided to first try spray misting paint on the papers but because I've been having trouble with the sprayers (purchased from dollar stores) not spraying properly I don't get the right effect, so instead I spray stuff in globs on the paper and then wipe it down with sponges. I mixed several colors - I think gold, red, a little yellow, and white -- to get the peachy color. It wasn't intentional, it just worked out that way. You can still see the papers behind the paint.
Then I stenciled away in various colors. Lisa will laugh because I've expressed a dislike of neon colors and these sort of have that look, don't they? But they're not.
These are some of the paints I used - one of the spray bottles that doesn't spray right is top right corner. Actually I'm finding it rather fun seeing what happens when the spray comes out (nor not). One of the tubes is an offbrand that I purchased in a set from a job lot store. It says it's Cobalt Blue but it definitely is not, more a light blue. Which should be a cautionary tale about buying paint from a job lot store - but it's still very useful. And part of imperfection.
One happy result from my painting is always the papers with spillover paint. I tend to use USPS tyvek Priority Mail and Priority Express mailbags as backgrounds, and like to both rub off excess paint from stencils, brushes, and sponges. Believe it or not, I've only recently started saving them. Oh, and baby wipes. Great for cleaning stencils, hands, palettes..... even palettes and stencils with old dried paint. And you can use the dried painty ones for something too.
So once I finished painting the spread hung around for a couple of days while I decided what to do next. I actually liked it as it was and in retrospect should have left it as is. But I decided to screw it up by adding circle shapes in various patterns of blue from scrapbook paper.
Once I started, I realized I was making a mistake. But I soldiered on because I wanted to see just how "bad" it might get. And also because I started thinking about bubbles. At first, in an effort to save this page, I decided to try using a quote from a song I like, Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" but when I read the lyrics, I realized that wasn't going to work. I discovered the song's not about bubbles - I'd always heard the song but not the lyrics, and just assumed from the title that it was.
Oh well. What next?
Then I remembered the standard "I'm Always Blowing Bubbles," and I knew I had the theme that might make this into something that sort of works. And here's the finished result
It's OK. It turned into an experiment in using shapes. I know now that next time I should use fewer shapes to allow more of the painted page to show through, and I should probably use an actual pattern to make them float.
In any case, it's imperfect, it's sort of interesting, and I'm glad I did it even if it didn't turn out particularly great (in my opinion anyway).
What do you think?
later,
Lin
I'm active in my local arts group, the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, which runs a part-time gallery in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Currently a change in week day hours is being contemplated but you can visit the gallery, called the Mill Gallery, on Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5pm at 558 Mineral Spring Avenue in Pawtucket. Everything's $150, with 1/3 going to PAC.
Advertisement over, now to the fun part.
Currently on view is the annual 10x10 Show and the point of the show is that all works have to be 10x10 inches in size, and if a 3D piece it can only reach 10 inches into the area. Many of the PAC members (as this is a member show) have trouble working small, something which I have no trouble. My problem is working larger, actually.
Anyway, I have been very pleased with the work shown in this year's exhibition and wanted to share some of the pieces with you (yes, I'm in it too but this is about other people, not me).
First of all, I want to highlight a collage artist I really love and respect for the detail and nuances of her work, Hiroko Shikashio. A long time painter and collagist, you can see the painterly detail in her work, especially this piece called "Autumn Rhapsody."
A set of paintings by Vincent Capaldi really. captured my attention. It's a set of 3 entitled "Alley in the Square Series," showing a similar scene with subtle changes in each piece. The yellow painting sold on Saturday and I was very pleased that it was I who handled the transaction.
Whenever Ewa Dzwierzynski enters a piece into this show or others that I've seen, I'm always amazed. It's wild and wonderful assemblage art and I just love it. This piece is called "Siren Sea Treasures"
A painting I really enjoyed is by Rob Mariani, called "Yardbird." If I had the money, I'd certainly consider buying it.
Last but very definitely not least is this assemblage by Tim McCarthy called "He Thought of the Titanic." I am amazed by the work involved in this piece and have admired his assemblage pieces for some time. This is another piece I would have liked to purchase but unfortunately someone else got it. It is just amazing to me.
These are just a very few of the 100 pieces entered in this exhibition. In a future blog post I will show you several others I really like, and maybe even my own.
I do want to say, though, that you can spend a lovely afternoon walking around a gallery or art museum and look at the wonderful works on display. Even if there are pieces you dislike there is always something to enjoy. Do support your local art museums and arts groups with visits to their galleries. Art is an important part of our lives, don't you think?
later,
lin
I love to visit Etsy shops and find goodies, so I hope you'll come along with me as I visit four great shops. These shops have great items that can make unique gifts for any occasion - and since Christmas is coming up in 3 months, there's no time to waste.
We're first going to visit Stella Erwins, owned by Julie Jansen who runs her shop from Texas. What fascinates me most about Julie's shop is that she makes and sells beautiful planters, home decor items, and wedding decor items made out of -- vintage glass lamp shades. These things are gorgeously beautiful and would be fabulous gifts for anyone - especially yourself. You owe it to yourself to visit her shop and marvel. This is just one of her many items - click on the shop name below to check it out.
PlantsnStuff is located in Maine and run by Joanne, who promises unique vintage items for home decor, and she's right. You can find lots of lovely things here. One current trend is to use marbles in glass as focal pieces on chests, entertainment centers, and similar furniture, and on dining tables too as centerpieces. Especially if there's a lovely doily underneath. You can buy cheap marbles and glass stones at Dollar Tree but why, when you can purchase beautiful vintage marbles such as these, found in one of Joanne's listings. Better quality and they certainly look much nicer, don't they? Check out this item by clicking on the shop name below the picture.
Another great shop you should visit is Felters Cottage, located in Tavistock, England, and run by Linda. She says about her shop "I sell English Staffordshire pottery, transferware and Art Deco china,
tableware, silver flatware, vintage tablecloths, old books, prints
and small antiques." She also does lovely felt work that she sells in her shop. One of my favorite items is this vintage table runner. I am particularly fond of these types of times as my late mother tatted and created lovely doilies. It's a beautiful, lovely piece that will look divine in your house. Please visit the listing by clicking on the shop name below the photo.
Finally, we'll head off to North Vancouver, Canada where we'll find June Corst and her wonderful paper art, sold at Threshold Paper Art. If you are searching for wonderful art created with handmade paper, you will find many lovely things in this shop. Her skill and artistry are phenomenal. She will also do custom work. This piece is one that particularly caught my eye, as an artist who works with paper myself. it's just lovely and I think it would make a great wedding present. You can find it by clicking on the shop name below the image.
Thus endeth today's shopping trip. I hope you're intrigued by what I've shown you and that you show a little love to these unique businesses. You never know what you'll find on Etsy.
later,
lin
