JUNE: Go Big or Go Home

Foiled
encaustic mixed media on birch panel 6" x 6" x 1.5"
encausticollage

June:  Go Big or Go Home

I've been quiet here for quite some time.  It really hasn't been the intent - but it is just so.  The reason being is that I have had nose to grind stone and have been painting away spending every moment I can in the studio.  I start in on Monday and then the next thing I know is that it is Friday and I haven't done a blog update, housework, or laundry... and all of a sudden its the weekend - then Monday again, and so it starts over.  So here's the story... Just 6 more sleeps and its my big solo show for June, opening on June 5 at Garden Essentia.

In addition to my new works, which are a combination of collage and encaustic (encausticollages), I decided that I needed something big - something epic for this show - something unlike the usual for me.  I got a grand idea, and for me - its big and epic..  The amazing part is that when I decided to do it, I just knew that I could pull it off and I would complete it in time without any fuss.  OK, well, fuss but in a controlled and manageable way :) 

The title of this epic project is "June".   It's 30 panels in the shape and theme of June on the calendar.  Its all about the things of June, or at least, June as I see it where I am in the world.  I've been blending encaustic and collage, working them together to create this project.  Its been a challenge and a pleasure, fun, demanding and enlightening.  30 - 8x10 panels that carry a theme in look, color and subject.  I will be sharing them each day from June 1 - June 30 here and also on Facebook.  Please join me in following along with June. 

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.

Pay It Forward Art Project, Creating Art and Sending Art Out into the World



Its been a full week of ripping, folding, sewing, painting, waxing and painting some more.  Its been fun and different and full of enjoyment.  Its been a week of preparing and finishing art to send out into the world.  For the Pay It Forward Art Project, I promised to send out artwork to 5 people in return for them doing the same - well my 5 turned into 8.  Three in Australia, two in Germany, one in Scotland and two in the US.



 

 

 

Pay It Forward Art Project

They are all different, they are all originals and they all went out on Wednesday.  I hope they bring artful joy to their recipients.  Thanks to those who participated.  Maybe I'll do it again later in the year. 

 

On the Way

 

The Artful Journey, Mixed Media and Chickadee

Chickadee
Encaustic mixed media on birch 6x6

Last week I wrote about being fickle.  This week - I didn't even turn on the hot palettes.  I've been wooed away with working on my pay it forward art project things and cutting, pasting, water coloring and sewing (yes, sewing) for those.  Some of our friends from PPF are joining in - you should pay them a visit and see if you can get in on the fun Irene, Valerie, Tracey,  Ilona, and Coreopsis and Tracy.  If you are on the fence about the project - jump in.  Its fun and an opportunity to get some art flowing around the world.   
I got out the old White sewing machine and fired it up.  Still working after years of closet time and a couple of house moves in between.  I even remembered how to thread the darned thing - although I need my glasses to do that now :)  My projects aren't quite done yet, so I won't show them this week.  They do incorporate wax too so I'm not totally leaving it behind.  And next week - back to work in the wax.  I'm still wondering how all these things will come together some day - there is beginnings of it here with this painting.  I love being an explorer on the artful journey - so many interesting twists and turns along the way. 
Happy Friday everyone!