Into the Light...

Two new mixed-media pieces begin to take on their own identity.

The softened images... with that added pop of color, 

found in the red window shutters... the window of your soul!

Out of the Darkness... Into the Light!

Two new mixed-media pieces... in the works.

Both are rather "dark"... at the moment!

(I'm hoping that will change... Ha!)

I'm using lines from two of E.E. Cummings' poems as my muse:

if i have made

a fragile certain song

under the window of your soul

it is not like any songs.

the singers, the others

they have been faithful

to many things which die.

the earth withers, the moon crumbles

one by one, stars flutter into dust.

but the sea does not change

and she goes forth out of hands

and she returns into hands...

the breaking of your soul upon my lips.

These lines make great one word or short phrase "snippets"

for this type of mixed-media piece, that I'm working on.

Words like: faithful, moon, dust, serene, soul...

Phrases like: fragile certain song, window of your soul, the singers,

stars flutter, earth withers...

Vellum vs. Onion Skin Paper... You Tell Me!

Well... as promised back on my May 19th post (though later then expected) 

Here are the side-by-side comparisons

Vellum vs. Onion Skin Paper

Vellum

Onion Skin Paper

                        

The photocopy ink faded and lifted from the vellum (top photo) 

when I applied the paper maché paste to adhere it... 

This is NOT good!

The photocopy ink remained sharp and smear-proof on the Onion Skin!

Vellum

Onion Skin Paper

                            

The vellum remained somewhat more transparent when layering

over other papers, than the onion skin paper (I was a bit surprised!)

Both papers offered some transparency... though the onion skin paper

was considerably more malleable when the paste was applied. 

The bottom-line: 

I'm going to be using Onion Skin Paper 

for future mixed-media pieces!  

Mixed-Media... the Progression

Dressmaking tissue paper patterns

applied to the foam board body form with paper maché paste.

Dry brushed acrylic paint added for the undercoat of the head.

The body is cut from 1/2" thick foam board (Elmer's).

The molded paper clay head shape is also traced on the foam board.

Wooden dowels are inlaid in the foam board 

by carefully cutting away some of the foam.

The dowels are hot-glued in place and then a strip of masking tape

is placed over the exposed dowel; for a smoother seam.

The paper clay head is made using a mold-making compound 

such as Amazing Mold Putty. Make a press mold of any doll head 

that you have available. (I used a doll head that I sculpted)

After the press mold is set and ready to use–– fill with paper clay 
and then immediately remove molded face, allowing it to dry.

Wood craft plaques are used for the bases of the both

the standing angel and the flying angel.

Gesso is applied to the figures, dowels and bases.

Next Time: Applying hand-dyed papers & making the wire wings!