Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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!

Saturday, June 13, 2020

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...

Thursday, June 11, 2020

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!  

Friday, June 5, 2020

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!