Encaustic Painting, Rust Paper, Local Birds and Freya

Freya
encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

I finally used some of that rust paper that I have been accidently hording.  I have a set of drawers that I keep fancy papers and stuff in.  I was digging through for some inspiration and came across this paper.  I had totally forgotten about it - its been over a year ago that I made it.  Isn't it fun to come across a hidden treasure?

I've done another big push on the bird paintings.  Christmas is coming fast and it seems that these little ones are flying off to new destinations as quickly as I can paint them.  Its keeping my busy in the studio.

Freya here is a common yellow throat warbler.  I've seen her at the Union Bay natural area near the University of Washington.  Its my favorite place to find birdie subjects.  Without really meaning to, I'm sort of becoming a bit of a bird watcher.  I'm wanting to keep my bird paintings to the local characters.  However, in my yard the selection is pretty slim with my dear cat, Ming to blame for his ever presence in the yard.  Luckily he is a bit chubby, so actually catching a bird is not his forte.  But, he does manage to keep them away by just being present.  So, I rely on my friends with lovely bird feeders, and my afternoon walks to provide my inspiration.

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween!

Project Rust - how to make rust paper

Rust Paper

I was wondering how to make rust paper.  It sounded like something that I needed to know how to do.  Its actually quite easy - here's how
 

Metal objects that rust placed on water color paper
 

Supplies:

1. Items that will rust - various shapes or one consistent shape like a washer
2. Watercolor paper - I used Arches 90lb hot press because I wanted smooth paper
3. A spray bottle
4. White vinegar
5. Bleach

First off you want to do this in a well ventilated area or outside.  I chose to be inside the garage but I did have the doors open while I was working on this project.   Wear gloves - bleach is kinda harsh stuff.  I gathered up a bunch of miscellaneous items that rust.  Most of them were already rusty so they were easy to identify.  Try to pick items that have a lot of surface that touches the paper.  Some of the things in the photo above didn't have good surface to paper contact.

I laid a protective substrate on my garage floor.  I used plywood but cardboard would work to.  In the spray bottle mix 1 part bleach and 1 part vinegar and start spraying.  I wet things down really well and flipped them over so the wet side was touching the paper.  Once everything was sprayed, I covered the surface with an old sheet.  You can also use a second piece of paper.  Then leave it overnight.  The next day you should have rust paper.  On the second day I re wet everything with the spray bottle mixture and moved the items around a bit to get more even rusting across the paper.  I left it for another night.  I was happy with the results over the two days and stopped at that point.  Now I have a sheet of really beautiful rusted paper that I can use in my art projects.