Friday, November 29, 2013

Altered Havens: Shadowboxes and Shrines

 Places of the Heart/Art

Altered art is an umbrella term referring to the transformation of
ordinary, everyday objects into artistic pieces.

Assemblage is the art of constructing a cohesive, sculptural piece from a variety of materials (especially found objects). Diane Maurer-Mathison refers to it as "three-dimensional collage." As a form of freestyle sculpture, it might also be labeled Reconstruction. The parts, most of which are not intended as art materials, are predominantly brought together rather than
painted, drawn, modeled, or carved.
You dismantle things and recombine the pieces in new ways. Thusly you are remaking the meanings of the objects used. It's a way to give new purpose and a second life to castoffs.

found objects, spirit house
Top of my shrine to Ganesh, a Hindu god.







Here's my tutorial, below, on how to create an altered art assemblage,    
be it an altar or shrine or spirit house.  
(Spirit houses are shrines to the protective spirit of a place. Shrines are receptacles for revered artifacts both sacred and secular. They make a visual statement filled with meaning. They can have to do with family, nature, personal growth, healing, protection--their significance is chosen by the creators of the shrines. Shrines can be commemorative, inspirational, meditative, or empowering in some other life-enhancing way, and each one can be made aesthetically appealing.
Like shrines, home altars are places of contemplation and personal devotion. The construction of personal altars is an ancient art--for some, they are holy places, sacred spaces. They have served the spiritual for thousands of years, providing a hub for linking up with one's inner self.)

how to, assemblage
Close-up of the bottom portion of Ganesh, by P. Guhin

TO BEGIN:
       1.     Will the shrine or altar be miniature temple of sorts, a personal space for reflection, a reminder of what you're thankful for, a celebration of an event, perhaps? Or is it to be a memorial to honor someone or something? Your objective might be simply to creatively and freely express yourself.
Tip: The finished piece need not strictly adhere to your original plan.

   2.  There's no single, "right" way to begin such an assemblage, but you could start with a sturdy vessel or a strong framework. Choose a shadowbox, base, deep picture frame, or other receptacle for its good craftsmanship and stability. Bear in mind its size, form, and structure as they relate to your needs. A junked medicine cabinet, desk drawer, wooden box, or old clock case could house the key elements. Other ideas for a reliquary are a vintage train case, a metal cash box, or the shell of an old bathroom scale. Of course this foundation will be transformed as you work, but it is the core of your piece

3. Collect materials and play with their potential. Bring together memorabilia, talismans, and other symbolic objects, including charms and trinkets. Do you have any fetish objects? (A fetish is an inanimate object loved for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit. It is believed to protect or aid its owner.)
Similarly, a totem is also a venerated symbol; a plant, natural object or animal believed by a person or a society to have spiritual significance.

Mindfully gather such meaningful objects as special stones or feathers, seashells, bones, horns, crystals, a figurine. Also assemble pictures, papers, decorative elements, and more. Consider their colors and textures--rich textures, visual or actual, add appeal to an artwork. Soon an idea will gel or a theme will come to mind and you can move forward.

P.Guhin, shrine, altar
Ganesh15" tall, 6" wide, 3.5" deep

4. Cover the work area first. One way to begin is to paint, collage, or embellish the vessel as you wish, before inserting and adhering major parts. (Another method is to assemble the entire piece first, and then paint it, or dispense with the paint altogether!) Be prepared to change your mind as you audition the various components.

Decide whether the assemblage will be grounded or suspended from a wall or both. Add feet if desired, using thread spools, wooden blocks, flat pebbles, or furniture legs. Consider attaching a hanging system. Decorate any unfinished areas (top, sides, back) as desired, making adjustments throughout the process.

More altars and spirit houses: 
See Freedom Flight, with real bird wings, at this link: Shrine,
and a shrine to my mom at Memorial to Ida
P.Guhin

Friday, November 22, 2013

MIXED MEDIA : Combining Words with Images and Textures

Pictures and text together can make a powerful collage. Add textured art media to the mix and...YES!

1. Decide on a theme, if desired, and pick colors of type, images, textured papers, fabrics, handwriting, etc. that look good together. 
collage, art materials
"Time" is a motif here. I plan to color some of the papers.
2. On a canvas panel or other sturdy substrate, you might begin by painting the background.
tute, tutorial
I used acrylics so they wouldn't bleed later.























3. While the background dried, I added washes of color to some of the papers (especially those printed black on white).
art project, texture in art
Use paints, chalks, inks, you decide!

















4. Try several arrangements first, & when you're happy with the 
composition, begin by adhering the largest piece first or the one 
farthest back, often one and the same
Use matte medium if you wish to avoid a shiny appearance.
(TIP: I leave acid-free papers unsealed if I don't want the 
plastic-y look.) I apply acrylic medium to the canvas and 
the back of the paper, let it get tacky, then glue down. 
Press the bubbles out thoroughly.
mixed-media, PaulaGuhin
The finished piece.
5. Finally, accent or touch up with paint or other art media as desired.

P.Guhin
art blog, Paula Guhin

Saturday, November 16, 2013

TUTORIAL ON USING DECORATIVE NAPKINS IN YOUR COLLAGES

PAPER NAPKINS, AUTUMN LEAVES, & A COLLAGE - PAINTING

It's so easy to use store-bought imagery in your work, and this lesson is extra-cool because the paper napkins can be quite translucent! 

collage, mixed media
I bought these paper goods in two sizes for a little variety.











To make the imagery translucent, you need to separate the top, printed ply from the rest of the napkin. 
The edges are micro-perforated to hold the layers together, so I tear those off first.
lesson, make
I usually discard the edges.










advice, tip
Peeling off the top, printed layer!
mixed media, advice
The printed sheet was too busy before!
I used a sturdy sheet of commercial scrapbooking paper as my background for this painting - collage. I added areas of acrylic paint to not only make it my own, but also allow the tissue-like leaves to show up better.
TIP: Napkins with a white or light background work the best! Apply acrylic polymer fluid both below the napkin shapes and again on top.


how to, method 
I also used text and pictures from an old book.









I felt the piece needed more, so I "blew" some branch-like lines with a drinking straw and ink. I also painted in my own version of a bird in flight.


art activity, collage
The finished collage - painting.
Thanks for viewing this post!


WINNER ANNOUNCED! (WATCH FOR ANOTHER FREEBIE ART MATERIALS CONTEST IN FUTURE.)

The lucky artist whose name was chosen at random to win the 6 art supplies is Sue Morris! 

I want to thank the others who participated, and encourage them to try again here for free paint products later, as I cull my huge collection.

Sue, please email me privately with your postal address so I can mail you the prizes!

Paula Guhin

Saturday, November 9, 2013

CONTEST TO WIN THESE PAINT PRODUCTS!

ONLY MY FOLLOWERS CAN QUALIFY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 
THIS BLOG CANDY!
As many of you already know, I appreciate those faithful blog followers who stick with me, so I'm always looking for ways to thank them. This contest is meant for YOU!
(This contest is now closed.)
Just in time for making Christmas ornaments, holiday cards, or 
fun, glitzy artwork, this giveaway is for all 6 DecoArt 
products shown below: A Glamour Dust, three 
Twinkle Writers, and two glass stains!
blog candy, giveaway, free, win
These art materials are brand new, never opened!
RULES: Be a follower of this blog, and leave a comment below this post. 
In one week, one name will be selected in a fair and random drawing. I will attempt to contact the winner personally to obtain a mailing address, which will not be used for any other purpose than to send the package of the 6 art materials.
Contest ends midnight CST Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. 
Winner announced in my next post, Sat. Nov. 16.
mixed media, art blog


Friday, November 1, 2013

KIDS DRIVING YOU BUGGY? Try an art project with them: CREATE INSECTS !

BUGS ON A BUDGET

PAPIER MACHE FUN FOR STUDENTS  

We made bargain bugs, and you can, too: inexpensive insect-sculptures using papier-mâché. Did I mention this was done with high-schoolers? I know, I know, often papier- mâché is reserved for the lower grades. But even older students really get into it, creating not only incredible insects but also cool crustaceans, super spiders, and more.  

how to, create bugs
See the how-to instructions below!
MATERIALS
  • Reference books on insects
  • Newspapers and string
  • Masking tape
  • Wire and pliers or wirecutters
  • Wallpaper paste and containers
  • Brown paper
  • Acrylic paint (or tempera)
  • Paint brushes
  • Buttons, toothpicks, and other extras
  • Glue gun and glue
construction, mixed media
This project is easy but soooo cool!
BEGINNING THE PROJECT
I loaded up on picture-books of creepy-crawlies, although a computer search could have yielded plenty of images as well. For my demo, I began with several bundles of balled-up newspaper tied with string,  insisting that armatures involve more than one body segment. In other words, I would not accept simple snakes and such.
Next, I joined two or three bundles together with masking tape. (Careful here--some kids will use waaay more tape than necessary!) Then I poked coat hanger wire through the body to create several pairs of legs. The kids could add wire pincers and antennae too. I anchored the wire appendages to the body with a little tape, so they'd stay put.
art teacher, Paula Guhin
Make your own creepy-crawlies with this art activity.


PROGRESSING TO 
PAPIER-MÂCHÉ
When the kids had built their armatures, they applied torn newspaper strips dipped in wallpaper paste. I suggested three layers and reminded them that I expected good craftsmanship. Evaluation would be partially based on sturdiness and a smooth appearance. A final coat of smallish brown paper pieces was allowed to dry thoroughly before we proceeded.
We painted the creatures with acrylics, although tempera would do. If you use the latter, try mixing it with white glue for a nicer, less-matte finish. When the paint was dry, we added enhancements such as eyes, whiskers, or "feelers."  (A golf tee makes a great stinger!) We used a glue gun to attach such extras as eyes, filmy wings, and more.
papier mache, sculpture
Crustaceans are cool, too!
Try creating fantasy or composite creatures if you prefer.  Think about hanging the sculptures from the ceiling with fishing line to display them.
Paula Guhin, mixedmediamanic