"There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting."

Saturday, February 17, 2007

not decoupage !!!! COLLAGE !

this is just a continuation of Mr Beans art class ._._._
during class, I mentioned that I had a photo of my nan, that I wanted to cut out and collage it to the background, along with a piece of tuille and a vintage locket or something similar. The teachers' eyes lit up, as she proceeded to tell me that she had done a decoupage course, many years ago and showed me the glue that I am supposed to use to attach the photo ~ it has to be applied on both the background and the back of the photo (which I am supposed to painstakingly cut out with teeny tiny scissors, every little point and crevice). She showed me some ivy leaves she had decoupaged to a wooden box! oh my lord, I just don't have the patience for that. I just grab any old scissors and snip away like a 5 year old. After spending hours cutting, I am then supposed to put layers and layers of decoupage stuff over the top of it to make it be like a shiny piece of glass. My teacher even told me that I could pour liquid resin over the top, to make it even more perfect.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !
that isn't what i want. I just want a mixed media thing, that I made all by myself....

I played with it yesterday, I just want to finish it so that I can get onto my goddess art work.
so without further ado -
ta-da!


I need some 'advice' from all the arty people out there in the world....
1. I want to put some kind of quote along the top - mentioning whimsy....I was thinking: "a bit of whimsy, maybe. . . sentimental ~ yes". how should I do this stamped or cut out words(if I can find them of course)
2. do I seal this? I want it to have a slight sheen, it is very matt at the moment.
3. nan needs something on her head, ???
I know as I go along, I will get more confident - well, I sure hope so.


24 comments:

Lisa Oceandreamer Swifka said...

Your teacher is partly right - in a way - meaning sometimes cutting things perfectly around the edges pops the image - not to say it is a RULE and I don't always adhere to doing it that way myself. Remember art is free expression. As for the quote or a word - play with fonts on the computer and print it out, you can age the paper a little so it isn't so stark. I have a gel medium in both matte and glossy - do you have a glossy medium, to seal and add sheen? There are other products like Modge Podge that are glossier OR things like glazes.
If YOU want you Nan to have something on her head maybe a wee flower? (didn't she garden?) otherwise I don't see she needs it...BUT again totally up to your own vision. In fact all of it should be YOURS and YOURS alone - from your heart to your hands to the finished product. I happen to think it's beautiful as is.
XOXO
sorry, I do get long winded sometimes.

Anonymous said...

hi again Laura! i live in south australia, possibly the least attractive state we have, although everywhere has it's beauty if you just look for it.

Suzy said...

Collage intimidates me, but I really like yours. It's sweet. On her head ... hmmm ... a songbird?

Decoupage -- that was all the rage when I was a youngster. Duckies in bowties on foot stools, etc.

Carole Burant said...

It looks wonderful Robyn...I was going to suggest typing out the words you want by using a font and size you like but I see Lisa has already mentioned it! lol Hugs xoxo

Shell said...

Oh Robyn, it's lovely! Really lovely! I don't think you need a class - you seem to be doing rather well on your own. To seal it I would suggest a Satin finish over a full gloss - I think full closs is much too shiny and detracts from most art, but it is up to you of course! I'm so impressed!

KaiBlue said...

Your ART is perfect for you, and as long as pleases you Ms Robyn, thats all that matters.. :)
PEace n hugs, Kai.

Gypsy Purple said...

Agree with Lisa...what about a crown...you loved her

Anonymous said...

So far it is looking great.

Lisa said...

Looks good to me the way it is! I agree with the advice to find a font you like and maybe age the words before you add them. I'm having the same issue with my pages for the crow book right now.

gma said...

Nan is precious!!!She might look cute in a party hat!...that would be whimisical....she already is absolutely adorable.

Lila Rostenberg said...

Re: the finish coat...
I think a coat of modge podge will give a little finish and protect it...get some and try it on a small "work"....I used Modge podge on the wallpaper "collage " on my bathroom walls...adding new things from time to time...
I think you are doing great and having fun!

Pam Aries said...

I have to agree with Lisa.... She summed it all up! THe important thing is to do what YOU love!. You will "know" when it is just right!

The Muse said...

I think your artwork is beautiful, such a wondrous expression of your own creativity. As for words, I prefer cutout but you go with whatever moves you :)

Love, light and bright blessings to you.

Muse

Suzie Ridler said...

I'd like to see a crown on her head for some reason, I think that would be cute. I would try and varnish it in some way which will make it heavier but it would be nice to protect it. Wonderful Robyn!

peppylady (Dora) said...

What a cool way of laying out your mum picture.
I real like it.

J C said...

Your art is YOU Robyn. It's great the way YOU do it! Your experiences in art class are hilarious the way you write them. You should do a fiction short story!

paris parfait said...

Robyn, you are hilarious! I am like you, like a five-year old just getting on with things. The collage is beautiful and I'm sure you'll find the appropriate quote that's special to you. About sealing it - as someone new to collage, that's one thing I don't understand - some people don't put any kind of sealant, but I worry bits of the collage will curl at the edges or "wilt" without a sealant of some sort. Years ago when I did collage (we're talking 30 years), I always used a clear sealant but these days people don't seem to, at least not so much? Any advice?

A bird in the hand said...

I "seal" my collages with the gel medium that I used to glue the elements on.

Lisa gave you all the good advice, so I won't repeat it.

I like your collage the way it is. But then you know I'm a minimalist - hehehe!
xoxoxo

Rella said...

Hello! I'm brand new here as I arrived through Angela D's blog. This little composition is just precious, especially since the image is so personal. To help make your little gal 'pop' you might want to make sure that your eye goes to her immediately and nothing else. She is the STAR, right? Do you have some great chalks or soft color pencils to give her a tad of blush and maybe some color to her dress. Just a hint...then maybe outline her ever so slightly with a soft dark pencil. On her head...I think the idea of a tiny bird is great, a butterfly, flower, crown. Try them all and step back and look at it. Maybe soften the intensity of the heart with a tiny bit of sponged on white pigment ink or a light brush of gesso. Just a touch to soften it and let the focus be your image. Text will be the finishing touch. If you don't have an old book to cut out words, then by all means print something on your computer and then dab the paper with a light tan ink to age it and edge all four sides of the words with a bit of ink. Play around with a few different arrangements of text. When it's right you will know it...THEN you can adhere everything and maybe just spray it with matte finish or a layer of matte gel medium. My best advice is alway: don't rush the process. Who SAYS you have to finish it before working on anything else. Sometimes you have to walk away, dream on it for a while. It will come to you.
This is a lovely, lovely piece and I think your blog is just precious.
Best ~ Rella

Janet said...

So many wonderful bits of advice already given so I will only say I love it....and you will know when it's the way you want it. Let her speak to you and she will tell you what she wants.

Rosa said...

It is beautiful! Wow. I can't wait to see what you come up with for your words. xo

hollibobolli said...

I'm really loving watching the progress of this. And it's turning out beautifully!!!

And you thought you wouldn't like it!!!

LOVE IT!

kansasrose said...

Robyn it is beautiful...and so are you! xxxooo

Jana B said...

your art teacher sounds a bit constipated... itty bitty scissors? Millions of layers?!!

Her inner child must be heavily medicated.