In the groove

There are times when everything falls into place...an idea brews...the scraps align...a synergy builds...

When all of these things click, it is amazing how quickly I can take a collage from start to finish...on the flip side, I have a couple of pieces sitting in my studio...since last summer...after the initial layers were put into place, there was a loud thud.

So when the opposite occurs, I want to capitalize on this energy...in other words, I was in the groove...







For my smaller collages, I use 1 x 10 pine boards cut into sections...its economical, sturdy enough to take layers of glue and sanding, solid enough to attach found objects with either nail or screw and easy enough to finish the edges so additional framing is unnecessary.

After I pull together my scraps, I do a dry run...nothing is glued down...just a rough idea of what might work...I take a quick photo of this arrangement for reference... and then proceed to paint the board in my color of choice...

The scrap that started the process was the strip of a vintage dictionary page...add in a magazine page...a parking ticket stub...and an old library catalog card...and I had my direction...



The process of my creation is a short burst of activity spread out over a couple of days...each layer is glued into place...and then has to dry completely before the next layer can be glued...and then everything is sanded...and waxed...before I add any 3-D elements...

Throughout the process, scraps may move, be cut up or cropped...or reconfigured...the first layer of leaf transparencies did not show up very well...so a second layer was added to give more depth...but attached with small brad nails for additional interest...

Building on the theme indicated by the library reference card, I think of recombinations of letters and numbers...bingo markers not only add another shot of red, but spell out a suggestive message..."go in"

Notice that the board edge is painted dark gray-brown and has been sanded and waxed...simple framing for the piece.








And before long...it is finished...

The library catalog card that I used is from a large supply of cards I received a number of years ago...the University of Iowa was converting their physical library card catalog to a computer version...so the cards were available free to anyone who wanted them...all you had to do was send a pre-paid postage box for shipping the cards back to you and explain what you were going to do with the cards...you had no choice in what you would get...I got a selection of cards from "S" Surgery to "Y" Yorkshire...its been great fun to look through the cards (including many that are in Chinese...I have no idea what they say) as a prompt for art ideas.

I still have quite a stash...If you would like to be so inspired...email me at amy_duncan@yahoo.com with your snail mail address and I'll send you 6 random cards...and then I'd love to see what you create...

The epitome of Spring

 

 

Happy Easter to all...

my new love

aahhh...my new love...recently discovered...came to the rescue when others had fallen by the wayside...
others that were not up to the challenge...but my new love did not disappoint...

And what might you ask is my new love...why its first aid tape...the kind of tape you use to wrap around a piece of sterile gauze to dress a wound (which unfortunately I had to do recently for the Southern Man...but he'll be fine...)

Let me fill you in on the back story...

I have been working on my 10 piece collage series...where I designed the scientific inspired images to complement the botanical prints...I wanted a way to attach the transparency images to the canvas...but wanted to convey a "this work is in progress" vibe.  So I thought it would work to use artist's tape...rip off a piece, stick it on...

I did a little research on the web...not really finding what I want...thought I would just drive down to the local Staples and pick up some Scotch brand artist tape (its so sad that the local art supply store closed here in our smaller town...now I have to go to Seattle if I want serious art supplies...)  Run into Staples...not only do they not have artist's tape...but they have one roll of masking tape (a borderline substitute...) and its $8.00 a roll!  As I'm leaving empty-handed...figure I might as well pop into the Dollar Store which is next door.  I'm going through the aisles - get to the "hardware" section - they have white masking tape (even better than the tan stuff!) so I pick up a roll...on my way to the cash register, I meander down the "first aid" aisle...and there I see it...first aid paper tape...its a dollar...I grab a package...

When I get home, I open up the package...this is not the old first aid adhesive tape from my youth...the one that came in the metal snap container...and the tape that ripped the hair off your arm when you removed the bandage...

I see that its in English and French...made me love it more...









I get to work on my collages...its perfect...secures the transparencies, gives that nice torn edge that I wanted...
and its semi-transparent...so it blends in instead of standing out like a big white blob...

I like that I can see the type underneath...its all about the layering...

So like any new relationship...I wanted to test the limits...since it was paper-like...maybe I could print on it...I ran it through my ink jet printer...it worked...but I was afraid it might get stuck...and create a problem that I didn't want...so I got out my rubber stamps...worked great...you can design your own personal washi tape...for only $1 a roll...I think I'm in love...

I have to give a shout-out to Amy Thayer Photography...picked up a couple of easy photography tips from her FB page earlier in the week...she's great...
stop over at her page and give her a "like"...

in due time...

The daffodils that I neglected last year and recently discovered blooming in my garden...are now wilted and faded...I'll throw them back into the far corner of the yard and wait until next March to see if they resurrect...

edited with kk texture 2203, multiply 40% opacity; second layer of color burn at 40% opacity

Linking up to kim klassen's Texture Tuesday...as well as with my Beyond Beyond creative group...this was to be an photoshop exercise in manipulating type along a path...never could get my path to go in the right direction...
so I tweaked the exercise...now isn't that a metaphor for life...

Variations on a theme

It was a year ago that I played around with a broomstick and some metal curtain rings...to make a card/photo holder...

Recently I thought I would make a couple more...but I ran out of supplies of the original design...so variations ensued...








I had plenty of broomsticks collected throughout the year...most for free because the broom part was missing...thus, just the stick...I cut them into smaller lengths...and then gathered up the vintage curtain rings...but I ran short...what could I use instead...mmm...metal...clip...how about metal clips?!

As you can imagine, I have quite a collection of metal clips (its that metal love addition)...the more beat up and rusted, the better...nothing like rusted metal patina!  I picked out two suitable specimens...

Instead of nailing the clip in place (which I did with the curtain rings), this time I drilled a pilot hole and used a screw to hold the clip in place...with this clip, the screw was a little smaller than the hole...so a diamond shaped washer slips right into place to secure the clip...

Everything else about the construction remained the same...cedar fence post cap for the base...large metal washer attached to the base for extra weight (and no toppling over!)  You can find the step by step tutorial here...











Here's the completed metal clip versions...
each stand can prominently display one special print or photograph...

Since there was a cut edge on the top of the broomstick for some of the stands, I attached an old wooden knob to give each a finished look...




















The other variation I made used a lone croquet stick...I know there are two end sticks to a set...but for some reason, I only have one...
It was a challenge to find larger sized curtain rings since this croquet stick was larger in diameter...but luckily I had a few biggies in my stash...I like the painted stripes of the stick...complemented by its simple red base...

I think the group of them look great together...
a wonderful way to display whatever assortment you may have...

It was easy as can be...using what I already had...
the best kind of project...

Linking up to Funky Junk Interiors Saturday Nite Special...lots of great projects there...

A step beyond...

I love inspiring creativity in others...to see beyond what might be possible...
to give something your own special twist...

Case in point...Recently, I received the most lovely email from Angie of Hopemore Studio...she had been desperately looking for wire baskets of just the right shape and size...when she happened upon my blog post tutorial of making your own wire baskets...she was thrilled...made the baskets...completed her project...all is right with the world!

But then she sees my blog post tutorial of making a wire cloche...and thinks to herself..."I have all these remnants from making my wire baskets...wonder if I could do something with them..."

And she does...and it is truly wonderful...

photo credit - Hopemore Studio

Not only do I love the mini cloches...but I love that she thought outside the box...and used something she already had...something that others might have thrown away...

Go over to Hopemore Studio...give Angie a shout-out...I'm off to find my leftover wire scraps in the basement...to make my own mini-cloches...thanks for the inspiration Angie...