Arty Collages and Dolls

Learning new techniques...

2011-04-18T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a look at all the pages in my little Lutradur art book. Made from a single sheet of Lutradur (12"x18"). We start at the back cover....the book is about butterflies as a symbol. the Greek word for butterfly is at the bottom of the page. [Click on any photo and maybe read the quote!]

This page has a dangling "cocoon"....this is the middle of the book with a quote from Emily Dicksinon.

More quotes..... and the front cover.

The book stands on its own and the light comes through the pages!

Mixed Media Collage class continues

2011-03-21T12:45:00.001-07:00

Start with a watercolor paper (140lb) painted background (square. mine is 10")

Add small squares of fabric, attach with matte medium, and top with assorted fabric shapes....

Cover with a gesso wash. Remove the shapes from the surface, and see how they masked the gesso from the original fabric.

Cut into 4 smaller squares, add quarter circles of assorted papers and fabrics.....

Wait for next week's lesson on sewing it all together! LOL!

All in process...unfinished...

2011-03-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

These collages are all on gessoed canvas. or denim....sometimes scraps stitched together first.

I'm learning a lot but still don't know where/how to use it all....we have 4 more classes. I'm sure these will change.....

on-line collage class

2011-03-11T08:59:00.000-08:00

Lesson 2

Tracing my raven drawing......then choose from the gessoed watercolor paper backgrounds I made last week.

I like the one with orange, red and green.

Apply the tissue raven to the background, add more collage with magazine paper, get a little tired of tearing magazine "feathers". I cut a wing out of batik fabric and used black and green acrylics to paint the raven....drying now. We'll see how this evolves! [shadow of my arm in the photo....I kind of like that!]

Another collage in progress on cloth background....hence the wrinkles...

Taking a great class on mixed medium collage!

2011-03-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

This is the first week of the collage class with Jane La Fazio. It is offered through Joggles.com.

We gessoed watercolor paper and canvas (which had been stitched together). Then we played with acrylic paints to make backgrounds.
I like all mine, but this little indigo has a Japanese feel, wabi sabi. I really like it!

Jane also showed us how to design and cut stencils from freezer paper which will be used later as the collage elements build.

I'll be back to show how these collages develope as the class progresses!

Home at last!

2010-10-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

The package was delivered yesterday! It contained my round robin art journal from the ART SAVES group with Carmen. {Yes, I scribbled with photoshop to hide the address!]

This past winter, I had sent my canvas journal on its way with this collaged cover. [above]

Inside, "Take Joy" my collage on both pages. A hanging envelope holds cards where the other artists signed in to work on the book!

These wonderful tags! Thank-you all for doing these! Love them all with the litte trims.

Turning the page , a collage by me, "Just her type" across from one by Shari with a 3-dimensional dragon fly, the page is edged with sparkly ribbon and crocheted cotton lace. Her's says "Life is Fun" and shows a girl making huge bubbles!

Then, Susie worked out a special collage for me with a bird in a wonderful original nest and an inspiring egg! Wonderful textures and I like the pink!

Across from it is Ileana's offering from art class. A live model and time to draw!

That is something I would love to do again !(the drawing, not the modeling, LOL!)

The double page from Carmen is loaded with delights for those of us who enjoy sewing and fashion! The dangling wooden spool, hooks and eyes and needles are collaged with vintage crochet, lace, and pattern pieces on a floral fabric background! Wow!

Two pages from Gemma feature decades of fashion, art and glamour! I love the pink feathered hat!

Karen gifts me with a collage of a cottage with a wonderful blue door, and the strong inner spirit found through meditation and delight in nature! Inpiring, truly!

Artist Doreen, our mandala artist designed a special mandala for each of us. Mine is "BE", something I am trying to learn! This page really glows!

There are still a couple of blank pages in the book, so I can finish it soon!

These are the inside pages of the back cover, which I did before sending it. "Time is a dressmaker specializing in alterations" --Faith Baldwin.

Thanks to all who worked on these pages, we found that ART SAVES through recycling and by helping our souls weather life's changes!

Art Saves Our Dreams

2010-09-03T08:01:00.001-07:00

The last round robin art journal page for this exchange. This is Ileana's journal. I made a page by recycling a watercolor into a hidden arched doorway, tied shut with red and gold trim. It says "Believe".

Opening the doors reveals a collage behind misty golden chiffon which says, "Art Saves our Dreams". [Now to remember to sign my page! LOL!]

Within a couple of weeks, we should be delighted to have our original canvas book/art journal come "home". When I get mine, I will post the pages on this blog!

Love that Pink

2010-08-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

The two latest pages of the round robin journals..."Art Saves" are for Carmen and Gemma.

Carmen's page is "Dare to Dream", follow your dream, "seeing what is true, the heart becomes free" written on the back of the pink gerber daisy.

Gemma's (shown here just started...I didn't get another photo of it) was Blessings and Beauty.
It featured recycled watercolor stitchery and antique lace.

These are such fun to do!!!!

Round Robin-Art Saves

2010-06-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

Working in Doreen's book. "Art Saves", in this case it saves an "old" watercolor and scraps from sewing. Also a gold leaf from Doreen, a stained paper towel scrap and there will be more embellishments....maybe special buttons, sparkles, who knows....

Geishas in the Mist

2010-05-09T15:14:00.001-07:00

This is the page I did this afternoon in Shari's journal. Stitching and glueing to my heart's content! Click on photo for enlarged view.

Page from Susie's Book

2010-04-06T05:41:00.001-07:00

Scanned image of the last page for Susie...across from her page quoting Thomas Merton...

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." !!!!

My page says "Inspiration is all around you". Using fabric, flocked paper, metallic lace, sequins, foil from a Hershey's kiss (dark chocolate of course!). The glitter and sparkle do not scan!

Rising to New Life

2010-04-03T20:47:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Springtime. New Life. New beginnings. Hope and joy surpass the worry, pain and trouble of today. It is all a matter of faith and focus!
[as always, if you want to see more detail, click on the photo!]

Round Robin " Art Saves"-- Susie's journal

2010-03-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

In this round robin, we do one page in each journal when it comes to us.
Today, I made this page with a watercolor paper collage underneath an overlay of golden chiffon. Using golden thread, I free motion quilted through all the layers. As I did this, I added copper metallic rick rack and some boucle yarn. Then I added two more images on top, a stamp from Italy and a candle in a yellow cup and saucer.

This page will be placed next to Susie's page which says, "live your dream" ...
And...OH YES. I did sign my page after the photo was taken! LOL!

"ART SAVES" Canvas book group with Carmen!

2010-02-21T13:21:00.001-08:00

Several of us are in a Round Robin using a small, handmade blank canvas book. We start by working in our own book and will eventually work in 7 other books for other artists! The theme of the round robin is "Art Saves". This is true on several levels, for me, art brings inner joy and a sense of belonging among other things. Then there is the fact that as an artist, I save and recycle many things into my art, it seems nothing is without possibilities!
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I recycled an earlier collage into a cover [below, see the cover open flat showing front and back] which I sewed into the spine of the canvas pages.
Then the collage was stitched with free motion quilting, I attempted to write/stitch, "Lila her book" on the back cover (in the dark blue area). Then the whole thing was given a coat of Mod Podge.
[note: You can "click" on any photo for an enlarged version.]

Just inside the front cover is another part recycled from the same collage....it says "TAKE JOY" I can see that I need to get a brayer to use when I am gluing photos from glossy magazines...I will do that before I work in anyone else's book!

Across the page is the first canvas page, treated first with gesso. The paper cuttings feature a bird in flight, a pink rose in bloom and 2 clocks. These are glued down and then covered with some sheer chiffon which is embellished with embroidery and sequins, then free motion stitched again. The words, "ART" and "NOW" finish off the page.

Inside the back cover, is a little collage of art paper and old dress pattern piece along with iridescent silver rickrack. There is a quote from author Faith Baldwin which says, "Time is a dressmaker, specializing in alterations".

The theme for our Round Robin is "art saves"....I love to use images of clocks and of fiber arts in my work. I seem to be unable to escape doing a lot in the sewing world, so of course this quote was just perfect. AND it was in the February 21st (TODAY!!!) reading in "Simple Abundance" the book by Sarah ban Breathnatch.

This has been great fun, I have one more page to design before I am through with my own book for a while...

The list of artists for our Round Robin:

Susie/Angie http://crinkleroot.blogspot.com/

Gemma/Linda http://gemmasjournal.blogspot.com/

shari http://teainbohemia.blogspot.com/

Serena http://dreamwiththefishes.blogspot.com/

Karen http://deldino.blogspot.com/

Lila http://artycollagesanddolls.blogspot.com/

Doreen http://doegrozsart.blogspot.com/

Scarlet/Ileana http://littleredhare.blogspot.com/

Carmen http://heartandsoulgardening.blogspot.com/

Collage pages in an altered book

2010-01-01T17:52:00.000-08:00

These pages are done in a decorating book by Tricia Guild. Much of the beautiful photography is from the page of the book......I did however collage other papers onto the two pages.

Where Women Create Blog

2009-12-12T18:08:00.000-08:00

Visit this blog (click on the picture above) for inspiration and fun! It is related to the magazine of the same name!

Horse Ornament

2009-11-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

Turquoise horse from Cloth Paper Scissors....my horse below!

This colorful horse is from the pattern in the current CLOTH PAPER SCISSORS magazine.

Yes, my steed has a bit of a problem with his hind legs! LOL!

Cloth Paper Scissors Open Studio Event TODAY!!!!!

2009-10-03T06:13:00.001-07:00

Come with me on a tour of my studio for the Open Studios Event from Cloth Paper Scissors!

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My studio is in the basement, or half-basement of our home. It opens to the backyard where I have a quiet sitting area and a garden which inspires me in my creative work!

Here is the garden with a birdbath. I love painting birds in my artwork and collages. They are even creeping into my quilting and fiberarts!

This door is painted one of my favorite colors, turquoise, and going through it takes us on into the studio.

Just inside the door is a watercolor angel which I painted. Perhaps she represents my MUSE, in any case she is a very welcoming presence!

Other watercolor angels from a different period in my life show are shown in my "Fallen Angel" painting.

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A collection of art dolls from a bloggers art exchange hangs on one wall. These friendly creations seem to get along well together!

A clock and a collage are hanging near the back door. I often include clocks in my art work, BUT have been known to loose track of time when I am creating! [Click on any art work for a closer look!]

The small half-bath in the studio has completely collaged walls. This was one of my most fun projects, ever! I found wallpaper which had a text, blue on pale yellow and used it behind the images of my collage.

Part of my fabric stash at the moment....

Storage for sewing and art supplies are in this old handmade armoire and a chest of drawers rescued from the curb. The little white cabinet on top of the chest of drawers was from a thrift store. Mermaids hang on pegs nearby!

The rear view of the sofa shows a hand-appliqued quilt top which I will soon hand quilt. The little turquoise shelf holds one of my whimsical watercolors.

I love to piece and machine quilt on this antique Singer 301 and it's original table.

A turquoise painted wooden shelf holds art work by others and includes my totem crow feather.

I love storing my fabric and projects in bins and baskets on wire shelves which are tilted for easy viewing and access!

An old primitive armoire and rescued from the curb chest of drawers you see below, hold more fabric and supplies. I can sit at the Bernina and look out the window at my little garden. I found a "boombox" stereo at the Salvation Army and have enjoyed much music as well as books on tape while down here in my wonderful space!

Thank-you for visiting my creative world. Bookmark this site and please come back soon!

Art journal page for a friend's birthday

2009-09-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

As summer ends, and the seasons move on, I remember my friend Lizzzie whose birthday is tomorrow!
Happy Birthday, Lizzzie!

Looking

2009-09-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

Art journal page for today....

"Looking" for happiness.... "Looking" for a way out. "Looking" for new beginnings. "Looking" for hope. "Looking" for friends. "Looking" for beauty. "Looking" for meaning. "Looking" for good use of time and talent. It could be many things....always coming back to the abundance of blessings in life!

Botswana--or is that a Lilac Breasted Roller???

2009-09-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this is very satisfying as a collage.

A page about Botswana, after reading the Alexander McCall Smith mystery series set there. I do like the Rumi quote and the flying birds!

And the bird on the branch, may be called a "Lilac Breasted Roller". What an exotic bird!

Tea bag envelope

2009-08-10T06:33:00.000-07:00

This is a little book which arrived in the mail ready for me to add a few pages of art work.
I had an envelope from a tea bag and some black tulle as well as lots of ephemeral images and scrap booking papers...the manila tag says "dream" when you pull it out. I may come back and past another page soon....

Must have...collage bookmark

2009-07-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Often when I'm reading a book which I like, I feel that I need to make an image to complement to story.
Today I am reading this mystery. It features one of my totem images, a crow or blackbird.

This morning while checking on my little garden, I found the small black feather. (It has purple highlights). So I brought it in and went through my collage materials to see what I could do for a bookmark. Corrugated cardboard and a short purple ribbon for a start. I used craft glue and attached the feather.

Now to decorate the reverse, smooth side...I found a small etching of a birds, a stamp with a woman's head, and two rubber stamps to use. The first is the silhouette of the crow, the other parts of a woman's face.

Now, I can get back to the story, and I'll have a great bookmark to keep me on the right page!

A thoughtful artist friend

2009-07-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

Out in my mailbox just now, I found this lovely collage card from Janet Briggs , a blogging artist friend!

Thank-you, Janet! What a bright spot in my day!

Winding up the month of May

2009-05-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today's art journal/collage pages. "Expect good things!" and "Live deliciously"