Second Collage

After the surprising success of my first collage attempt, I jumped right in to the next one. I had several small collages started on watercolor paper, so I picked one in blues & greens with a watery, nature feel. Since I wanted more color and to experiment with my new acrylic paints, I began by painting my canvas a mix of blue and green.
Detail of just the collaged paper portion of the overall collage showing the seaglass, beads and leaf.

I took much longer and days went by while I contemplated each next step. On this collage I did incorporate some more dimensional things: smooth sea glass held on by beads (yay!) and a dried leaf that I found.

There was an online video about using felt to add texture and create a 'frame' for a small collaged piece on a larger ground. I wanted to try it so waited for felt to go on sale at JoAnn's. Out came needle and thread and I discovered I needed a much tougher needle....back to JoAnn's. So the felt and paper are stitched to the canvas and the seaglass is stitched to the whole shebang. Dan gave a less enthusiastic review to this one......

But, I perservere.

First Collage

My most recent obsession is collage. I've always enjoyed mismatched, jumbled-but-with-a-purpose jewelry, art, and even glassware or dishes. Now I'm exploring how to turn a bunch of random papers and paint into an interesting collage.

Part of what attracts me to collage is the addition of more than just paper and paint - I love my beads and want to incorporate those, or pieces of found metal or feathers or whatever..... making the collage more dimensional. That's where I lose Dan.

As with any artistic undertaking, there are tools needed - luckily I have most of them from other crafting endeavors - paint & brushes, check; paper, check; patterned paper (scrapbooking), check; beads (jewelry making), check; ribbon/thread/cords, check. So, I'm well stocked....but what do I do with it all?

On canvas with acrylic paint, textured Japanese paper and old sheet music.

Dan's been very underwhelmed with this undertaking, so when I showed him my first partial effort, I didn't expect much. Instead, I got a rousing "I love it!". When I told him it wasn't done (I had lots more going on in my head), he demanded I stop and hang it as it was. So I did.