A PLETHORA OF PAPER IN A COLLAGE DUO

This week I present a pair of collages that are mostly paper.

First, an artwork in which I pay homage to artists from our past. It's called Atelier, and I pieced it together from many, many cut-outs.

The second "primarily paper" collage is also made up of many pieces. Do you prefer the more colorful, "fruity" one above or the collage depicting an artist's studio?

DECONSTRUCTING HANDMADE PAPERS TO MAKE A NEW ARTWORK

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON'T LIKE A WORK ON PAPER!

I was experimenting one day with adhering layers of paper together and then tearing some of it off. I didn't care for one result, so I painted it mostly red with acrylics. When that was dry, I added white, black,  and blue paint, as shown below.

Not my best work, by a long shot!

I still didn't particularly like the result, but rather than add more paint, I cut it up into squares and rectangles of assorted sizes. Then I collaged them all together, and got the artwork below. 

Which one do you like best?

HOW TO DO A PATRIOTIC COLLAGE

First, my thanks to Shauna for saying she actually likes my scattered approach of covering many disciplines in this space! I may be slightly schizophrenic, but I do like to try everything from assemblage to fine art painting to pure collage to hybrids! It's a sickness, but I enjoy it, and I hope the viewers do, too.

In honor of Independence Day, which is coming up sooner than we think,

I'm working on a collage/painting and showing you the process, step by step.

• First, I gathered together images, papers, costume jewelry bits, even an old red belt with star grommets.

Be sure to find some text and maybe some postage stamps, too!

• Then I began from the back, gluing larger torn shapes to my substrate. I also made a plan for the pieces that would come later, overlapping them with the design elements and principles in mind.

Still not finished. I haven't added any paint yet.

• Stars, flag pin, and pieces of the belt came next. Finally, I added acrylic paint (mostly black and white) to partially obscure some areas, enhance others, and to add a sense of depth.

The finished collage/painting.

 

THANKS FOR VIEWING THIS POST! 

     

PAINT FURNITURE AS A "CANVAS"

I found this old rocking chair on a pile of discards. But you can use an old door, a bench, a stool. or a wooden shutter as a painting surface!


One arm was missing, so I removed the other one.





I filled holes with wood putty and let dry.



I used sandpaper not only to smooth the wood but also to take the shine off the surface. Then I wiped it with a damp cloth.

A smooth coat of gesso came next.

After the gesso was dry, I began to paint with acrylics.

I even decorated a pillow with fabric paint to use as a cushion...

                      

             But I prefer the plain gold-colored pillow with the finished product.

  

Painted chair.