Tangled Weave – the start of a mini collage collection

The long, lazy days of summer are here.
Hours to laze around and work on my art ~ Paint outdoors, sketch by the lake and maybe try some new techniques.
Now that’s some Wishful thinking on my part…

making collage papers

You would think I would be getting lots done over here, but truth be told I am accomplishing little.

It is sweltering hot, the lake is calling,the dog needs to be watered, the kids need to get to camp and work and all the visitors need to be tended too.

Do I dare say I have having a lot of fun despite the compelling urge to sit down and work at my art?

intuitive collage – working with what is presented

I have just recently finished Mati Roses Daring Adventures in Collage.  It really helped inspire me to start working with mixed media again.

I just love the combination of paper,paint and ink. There is something about it that makes my heart pitter patter.

I love all the texture and pattern, with a little this and that peeking through. I love getting my hands dirty.

I am not sure which is more fun – making handmade collage papers or creating the actual collage itself?

I have approached this round of work a bit differently than before. I am now working on paper -Borden & Riley sketch vellum – which is a heavyweight, rather indestructible, paper for mix media. This allows me to cut, paint, spray and stamp to my heart’s content without stressing over another unfinished canvas.

It’s only paper and can either be recycled or cut up for another collage project. If I like it then it is easily affixed onto a wood cradled panel.

 

collage – lots of layered paper. Adding paint next!

This time around I am also working small. Very small for me.
All pieces are 8 by 8″.
I decided to go this route because I find them easy to complete in a day and easy to have many on the go at once.

I have a plan for all of these pieces, but that will be unveiled later.I am not trying to be secretive, just deciding what the best route is for these. A plan is in the makin’..

What I do know about these is that they are a part of my everyday creative life. They keep me playing and trying new techniques which only help spark my imagination and creativity.

I am hoping to be back here soon, but not making any promises. I am just a passenger on this free wheelin’ ride called summer. (even I am rolling my eyes at that one 😉

Enjoy every moment of yours!

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Taking the Dare! Color in collage

Popping in for a visit to share some fun and learning I have been having with Mati Rose and her new class Daring Adventures in Collage. It feels oh so good to be peeling gel medium off my hands again. Throw in a little paint and ink and it makes for a great night. Mind you, I have had to lock all paper away during the work day as I am finding my paper playtime highly addictive.

Making painted papers and lots of marks for collage papers.

My goal for this class is COLOR. I need and want to use more vibrant colour in my work. I love my neutrals and shades of gray, but I am looking for some POP.
Paper is an easy medium for this practice because until you stick it down it can be changed many times= No commitment makes me happy. Also there are so many fun, colourful and layered scrapbook pages out there, it is easy to be inspired to throw down some paint on them too.

I created a series of collages  “out of the woods” way back using all natural coloured papers and even birch bark from my tree outside.  You can take a look at them here.I loved creating these and I find it easy to whip these up daily. I was thinking about them and wondering to myself  “why are these so easy?”…the answer  = limited colour.
No artistic stress – no racing brain wondering if you are going to wreck it by placing that colour here..or there..

So now that you have the truth – Color rattles me.
I take the dare – to spend my time in this course using lots of colour.

Mark making and painted papers for collage

Ok, maybe this isn’t too colourful in your world, but I have plans for it!

sea creatures in progress

Below are another two pieces in progress. Lots of colourful scrap paper layered with tissue paper and a light glaze of paint.  I like them as is, but will be adding more to them in spirit of my daring adventure.

collage – lots of layered paper. Adding paint next!

I have included some links below to some of my favourite collage boards on Pinterest. I have included a wide variety of styles so take a look and be amazed at what you can create with paper.

Leslie Avon Miller

JessBrooklynLuv

Emily Block

If you want some colour then Annes board may be to your liking. It has been my go-to for colour inspiration!

Anne O’Brian Gonzales

It’s almost summer and I am hoping that it will include lots of art time. I just have to get through June and what has become the busiest month of the year for those with school aged children – plays, concerts, fun day, interviews -it is all a bit crazy. 10 days to go!

Saying YES to Daily painting!

There is a crazy part of me that is thinking that I need to start painting everyday. I am not sure where this desire has come from, but with each passing day this need grows stronger and I am now  thinking that maybe it’s not such a crazy idea. There is a small part of me that gets a wee bit nervous thinking about it, let alone coming right out and saying it, but then I just have to remember that it doesn’t have to be a big deal.

It doesn’t have to be a finished, ready to hang, kind of anything.It can be simple, something abstract and it definitely can be small.It doesn’t have to follow all the rules. It can be done in an hour and it can be done on paper. I do not want any unfinished canvas staring at me guiltily. It can just be….

I have no clue where this idea started. Well, that’s not entirely true. I have a small inkling where it all came from. A passionate group of creatives that I hang with got me thinking about it! A new e-course, Daring Adventures in Collage, offered by  Mati Rose got me really thinking about it! I couldn’t help myself, I signed up for it. I know I promised myself I was done with courses for a while. I need time to absorb all I have learned in the past year,. BUT the thing is, I am soo excited for it to start. Counting the days kind of excited.

I think it is  just the combination of this excitement and the freedom it offers to just create for the sake of creating that inspired me. I think I am just craving some time to making marks, ripping up some paper and playing with colour. Intuitive painting, my style.No plan and definitely no preconceived notion of what I am suppose to be creating. It’s the summer so why not!?I want to play. I promise I will get all of my other work completed before I start.

This painting  was a work in progress for some time. A mark here and there, a splash of ink and a whole lot of experimenting!

It was fun and definitely a learning experience. That, my friends, is exactly what I am hoping for with this crazy idea!

If you have any thoughts, suggestions or maybe a support group you can recommend, please do not hesitate to contact me. Or  maybe you want to join in? The more the merrier.

I will keep you posted on what I decide to do!