Sunday, August 30, 2009

Abstract Landscape 8-30-09


No title yet, the work has not grown on me just yet. I still need to varnish and will probably give the work a satin finish. The papers use in this piece were all altered by yours truly. Some of the papers I used included tissue (not sure what kind of tissue this was but it is stronger than the type you get in packages, although I have used that kind of tissue as well), paper towels, magazine papers, and brown paper bags (like the ones from the grocery store). Final size is 6 by 12. This is an example for my upcoming class. After the class is done I hope to at the very least double mat it and maybe it will go into my etsy shop. Still deciding.

I am hoping that in my next class we can make an abstract in this vein. We are also going to make that rather "small" series that I posted below. In September we will alter papers on two consecutive nights and then use those papers to create the landscape and abstract series. I added grasses using markers, acrylics and artists crayons and there is small flock of geese up near the moon that I stamped and then dusted with Pearl Ex (a mica dust). Fun

Now that I have gotten back into some abstract work, I have an urge to do another series based on some photos I took in the southwest and some photos I took while in the mountains near Blacksburg VA. (not sure which mountain range that is). I do want another gallery show mid year next year and maybe even before then! As an after thought, I managed to find the perfect already cut mat for the three 4 by 4 inch collages (below) and a frame to go with (yea Michael's). I used that 40% coupon and I am good to go. I try to present my class samples in a finished state but sometimes I don't always succeed. :)

k

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Balancing Act I, II, # III: Samples for my Mixed Media and Collage Explorations Class at the Studio in McHenry.



After the last Mixed Media and Collage class that I taught in mid August, I was asked for another class. I came up with a progressive type class meeting two nites in Sept, Oct, and Nov. However, here is the catch, if you miss the first one, it will be really hard to make the collages that we will end with in both Oct. and Nov. I have not decided whether we make the little series in Oct or Nov. But I have planned both this series and a larger abstract landscape, all made from papers that we will alter in the first class meetings (Sept). I am still in the middle of the landscape and I have to write up a supply list for both the Studio and the students. These classes are based on techniques I have either learned through art workshops, read about

either on line or in books, and have been using for years. I would love to teach Jonathon Talbot's method but unfortunately supplies are rather a lot to acquire for artists who may not

want to really get into collage and mixed media. Mr. Talbot brings a lot of his own tools for everyone and then he also has items for sale. The catch here is that he is an accomplished working artist, I am a part time artist who can barely afford her own materials. Anyway, if you are interested in Mr. Talbot's approach to collage, see my side bar for his site. His method is pr eferred by myself. But for these classes we will be using soft gel matte medium to adhere our papers (as many working artists do including myself for certain applications) and will go from there. I am pleased with the outcome of this small series. It has been a while since I have delved into anything abstract. But after my visit to the new modern wing at the Art Institute of Chicago http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/modernwing/overview, I really became inspired.

I have never seen so many Braque's and Picasso's in my life. Plus they had some awesome Kurt Schwitters pieces (which have never been on display) and a boat load of Cornell boxes (Rosa eat your heart out). Anyway, suffice to say, a little abstract work is good for the soul :)
My three pieces are entitle Balancing Act I, II, and III. They are 4 by 4 inches on illustration board. I did not want to got to much bigger because of time constraints and drying times. Anyway eventually I will double matte them and frame them all in one frame (when I have some money). For now, I still need to seal and then they can be used as our class samples. k

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Mixed Media and Collage Class: A Patchwork Portrait 8-11-09

Patchwork Portrait Class 8/ 11 and 12-09


I was very pleased with the outcome of my second class which I taught at the Studio in McHenry,IL. I had a good time and I think the ladies did too. We had 12 enthusiastic women and my daughter Claire, who by the way is a chip off the ol block. I wanted to share their finished or almost finished projects. I have to give major kudos to these gals. Unfortunately I missed a few portraits including my daughters but hers was not finished anyway. I took the photos with my iPhone so after reviewing them, I think the phone did an OK job. Some pictures are a bit blurry but that is me not able to hold my hand steady. The 3G S has a touchy shutter! I think the class was a success and Lucy asked me for more in the coming months. I have my work cut out for me!

k