Revolution X

ingredients: altered paper, acrylic paint, dry transfers, electrical tape, wax pastels, waxed linen thread, rubber stamping, pigment & dye ink, pen & pencil. click images to enlarge.

Evolution of Revolution IX

Thanks to everyone for your amazing feedback about my Revolution project. I have received a number of comments and emails from visitors to my blog asking some very specific questions about Revolution, including requests that I share the process that goes into creating the individual pieces. I have started to list the ingredients and I thought it might be interesting to take you on a step-by-step look into the making of one of my relatively simple pieces which I call Time is Running out. So, in pictures and in words, here is the evolution of revolution:





Each piece begins on notched cardstock that is a little larger than 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. In this piece, the cardstock was covered with a light colored paper and, as can be seen in this picture, partially painted with the first layer of acrylic paint.







In this second picture, a second color of acrylic paint was added without completely covering the first layer. In some pieces I will add additional layers of different color acrylics as well.






Here I have added some random scribbling in complimentary colors using my favorite brand of wax pastels -- Caran D'Ache. I have used both water soluble neocolor II and metallic neocolor I. On those pieces that I add further layers of acrylic paint, I will also add addtional wax pastel, and often altered bits of paper, between each layer.







On the right side you can now see the addition of a dry transfer. This adds additional depth to the piece.








This is the part I like best and the one that usually adds the most texture to my pieces. Using several colors of acrylic paint, I place scattered lines across the page using the edge of a bookboard. For narrower lines I use the edge of a fake credit card...you know the ones we all receive in the mail as part of credit offers. On this piece, the lines are relatively ordered and run both horizontally and vertically. Click to enlarge this image to better see the texture.






More acrylic paint was added here in two steps. First, I used bubble wrap lightly coated with paint to add distressed-looking circles. Then I splattered away using white acrylic paint thinned with a little water. I now felt that the background was done.








Once the background is complete, I will add the main images. Usually that consists of altered paper, an altered photo, or a transparency. However, for variation and simplicity, I used a rubber stamp and rub on letters in this piece. I stamped the image of the faucet using dye ink and then outlined the stamped image using a uni-ball pen to darken. Then I added the letters.






This is the completed piece. Although hard to tell from the photo, I edged the entire piece with black dye ink as a way to frame the art. I almost always feel that my artwork looks better when edged with ink, paint, paper, or another medium.





I hope the evolution of revolution was interesting and useful. I am always inspired when an artist shows me their process step by step. Hopefully you were inspired too. In fact, if any of you create something using this combination of techniques, please feel free to leave a link to your work in the comment section or email an image and I will post it.

Mail Call: in and out box

I recently received a wonderful, small (2 1/2 x 3 inches) deco from a swap sponsored by a Yahoo group. The theme was Old Text and it was created by Kirsten in January 2007. Thanks to all those who added pages -- Linda, Carol, Jan P, Pam, Wendy, Jan M & Thia.













Here is a sampling of the pages, each of which includes a piece of text that was provided to the participants by Kirsten and which arrived with the deco.



Kathy McCreedy from Love Letters and I are trading scraps and other supplies so we can each incorporate the other's style into a few pieces of our own. I received an envelope from her earlier this week generously stuffed with treasures -- decorated tyvek, moleskine journals, gouache, altered book pages, vintage journal sheets, hand drawn calligraphy, decorated watercolor pages, and so much more. Talk about abundance! Here is a shot of just some of what came. Stop by her blog to see more of her art.


This is the cover of a deco that I just completed for one of the Yahoo groups I belong to. The theme is Altered Pages. I designed the cover,
made the binding and included five inner pages lined with text to be altered. The deco will make its rounds among five different artists, each of whom will complete a single page. I will post the pages when the deco returns, although that will probably take close to a year. The text on the cover reads: Master the lesson -- Take pride in your art. Have faith in your art. Keep your pencil sharp.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Revolution VIII

ingredients: altered paper, altered photograph, acrylic paint, dry transfer, pigment inks, wax pastels. click images to enlarge.

Inspiration Board II

Inspiration comes from so many sources. Memories and imagination always inspire me but sometimes I like to see my inspiration head on. Here is a partial shot of my inspiration board. Visit my post from August 2007 to see how it has morphed.

Revolution VII

ingredients: altered paper, altered photograph, acrylic paint, transparency, dry transfer, pigment inks, staples. click images to enlarge.

Revolution VI

..............................................HVD...........................................

ingredients: altered paper, acrylic paint, transparency, pigment inks, waxed linen thread. click images to enlarge.

Spotlight: Scott Gordon

I came across Scott Gordon's website while surfing the internet. He is a New York based photographer with a creative eye and the ability to see something extraordinary in the ordinary. I was immediately drawn into his images because of his strong use of color, the feeling of movement, and the textural qualities of the surfaces. There is a sense that his photographs, especially in the Otherworld series, are images of something familiar but seen in a unique and mesmerizing new way. I asked Scott to tell me a little about his inspirations and his visual aesthetic. Here is what he had to say:

"What drew me to photography was a somewhat innate tendency to recognize potential images as I observed the world at a young age. I felt inclined to try to capture these exciting and curious images with a camera. I was not always successful, nonetheless I felt a desire to persist. I am inspired by what I imagine is often unseen or ignored. I try to look at the world in a open and somewhat naive way to find beauty in everything that is overlooked and taken for granted. I love composition, color, and texture. I often photograph static objects but also enjoy the moments and feelings seen in human interaction. I would like to focus more on people in the future. My goal is to travel and see the world while capturing its colors, textures, and people in a way that might reveal what is not always seen or appreciated."

The photographs below are just a few of my favorites from his website. I think they speak for themselves.

Revolution V

ingredients: ephemera, altered paper, vintage book cloth, acrylic paint, dry transfers, tape transfer, colored pencils, wax pastels, dye inks. click images to enlarge.

nature's grace

natures's grace...


nature's grace in a moment of repose
singular in its beauty
brilliant in design
alight in an instant of time

nature's grace, unparalled in form
captured in its essence
free to fly away
unfettered, unrivaled, on display

nature's grace, spotted on a wall
itself a blanket of blue
rough in texture, withered in rhyme
a crossing of surface sublime

Revolution IV

ingredients: ephemera, altered paper, acrylic paint, altered photographs, dry transfers, pigment & dye inks, wax pastels. click images to enlarge.

The Pulse: technique/tool

THE ONE TECHNIQUE OR TOOL THAT I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT IS...

Photoshop on my computer. Can you say Brushes, Actions and Layers, oh my!?
Roben-Marie Smith

my goat-hair hake brush
Gillian Mcmurray

beeswax. I've grown to love everything about it and will start painting on wood so that I can incorporate it into all my paintings.
Judy Wise

spray painting
Sarah Fishburn

gesso...it's so versatile...paint it, crack it, build it, rub it...just love it...
Angela Cartwright

a pen
Teesha Moore

My Sharpies! Good Lord don't even CONSIDER a World without this tool.
Lisa Hoffman

Polished beach stones from the Oregon Coast.
David Castle

an old credit card. I use it to spread and scrape paint across the journal pages, make lines, and all that good stuff.
Patty Van Dorin

I have painted layers of deep dark hidden secrets (very therapeutic) – even further obscured under more layers of color. I wholeheartedly feel there are no unnecessary strokes in the artists work - and perhaps not everything is meant for the admirers eyes to visually see. If one truly connects with the piece - they will uncover the hidden message within - and the artists secret will be revealed It's like a biblical scripture, mystery or parable. If one has eyes to see - they will see.
Maralena Howard

I would have to say that the tool that I use a lot would have to be my heat gun.
azirca

dip pen/black ink (journaling is a must-!
Stephanie McAtee

freehand embroidery using my sewing machine
not mass produced

my trusty dremel
Ro Bruhn

This is tough, but I would have to say that right now I couldn't live without the inkjet transfer technique. I do so much work creating transfers with my photographs for my mixed media pieces.
Bridgette Guerzon Mills

an awl
Judy Wilkenfeld

My white glue. Because if I found myself on an dessert island with neither the old objects nor the old books and photos I use in my assemblages and collages, I could still create constructions using items collected in the natural environment.
James Michael Starr

layering on my canvas or wood, whether I am layering paint over paint, sand or gels over paint or rice papers over paint.
Roxanne Evans Stout

my fingers. As much as I *try* to start out with a palette knife, glue spreader, bone folder or paint brush I always always end up using my fingers. My husband thoughtfully bought me a box of latex gloves to protect me from all the nasty chemicals in mediums, glues and paints. The box remains unopened. I need that tactile firsthand feel I guess.
Jen Worden

my computer and wacom tablet
Marie Otero

This is harder that it seems. It is not easy to come up with only one answer since I change depending on what I am working on, but I do use a few things consistently. There are several things I use in just about all of my work and one of those is gloss medium- I use it to adhere collage material as well as in between layers of paint in a glazing technique. I also use gold gesso as a base and in between colors to create a thin layer of light. I know that is two but I couldn't pick just one.
CW Slade

collage
Jen Renninger

As a mixed media artist, it is almost impossible narrow down favorite tools and techniques!! However, I have to say I could not live without polymer clay with all its possible renderings. It can be textured for backgrounds for cards or books, sculpted into bodies or faces for dolls, it can be made to mimic natural stones or glass by incorporating materials into it, used to make unusual jewelry items, blended to form clay paintings, made into canes to veneer onto other objects, … Basically, it can be sliced, diced, sculpted, draped, squeezed, rolled, and twisted into just about anything one can imagine! I simply love it.
Lisa Renner

My Tim Holts scissors. They cut thick book board very cleanly, and the serrated edge grips what you are cutting.
Teresa

Acrylic paints
Jenny Archibald

I love paint. Acrylic is still the default medium of choice for me and it goes hand-in-hand with Gesso, followed close behind is spray paint. I only use the cheap stuff when it comes to acrylic - I let the color selection guide me which ones to put in my basket. However, I'm picky when it comes to spray - it's Krylon only.
Michelle Ward

my camera
Linda Woods

Right now that would be my favorite painting knife. It's not too big and not too small and fits perfectly in my hand. I paint mostly using knives so I have quite a few but I always end up grabbing my trusty favorite.
Barbara Kleinhans

Credit card! I like to use it to spread the acrylic paint all over the paper. It's quicker than paint brush.
Andrew Borloz

Pegboard on walls of studio. Never could paint on an easel.
Karen Jacobs

music
Trudi Sissons

my camera or my computer
Susanna Gordon

Canon Digital Rebel - love my camera + working on learning a bit more about it
Ali Edwards

a brayer. I use it all the time. I roll ink onto stamps and linoleum blocks, I use it when printing monotypes... it's indispensable to me
Jessica Gonacha

As far as technique right now I would say distressing -- with sandpaper, by folding, with paint or ink, by tearing, etc. As for tool I would have to say scissors as I always seem to be slicing through something in nearly everything I make.
Seth

FOR LINKS TO THE SITES OF THE PARTICIPATING ARTISTS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.