Sunday, March 31, 2013
Wishing you JOY and HOPE
Sending out wishes for JOY and HOPE in your lives...
I've been tidying up the studio and came across a few more unfinished papier mache eggs to add to the stash. I also came across this wee bird who has only one tail feather left, and one eye. His age is showing, much like mine. We want to sent out greetings to you all.
See you soon, I hope! Norma, x
Saturday, March 30, 2013
When you want a slice of the moon, and...
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Winging it...
But I just wanted to show you what the muse came up with. The bits in the air by the angel wings are what did not work in my original attempt. I just left the bits there (maybe as a reminder not to just copy people!!.)Thanks for dropping in today; we'll see you soon I hope. Norma, x
Monday, March 18, 2013
Drawing Challenge Invitation: EGG
For those who know me, you've seen this egg a few times. I love it so. For this challenge I have chosen the theme EGG, so it gets to come out and show itself again. I did come across the original mold for it laying in a box and the trick for me will be to see if I can find which box. If I do, I'll make another egg for this challenge, and I may do a little painting. The muse will dictate what transpires.I am inviting you to come and play in this challenge. Are you IN? Leave me a comment at the bottom of this post, and I'll start a players list. I'd love for you to make an egg, decorate an egg, photograph an egg, sculpt an egg, make something with egg in it (and show us,) ask your hen to lay an egg, draw one, paint one...well you get the idea. Do your post this weekend on your blog, and as you will be linked here, everyone will be able to be directed to you! It's easy.
Thanks for coming by; see you soon I hope, hugs, Norma, xP.S. Everyone is welcome to join in the challenges. The PLAYERS: Carole, Sus, Ariane, Patrice, Petra, Tania, Stefanie, Celine, Kristen, Ram, Renilde, BarbaraBee, Emily, Nadine, Mano, Sabine, Justine, Cindi
For this challenge, I had planned to do a new papier mache egg. I have a finished egg, years old now, and a partially finished egg [oh where is it I wonder] and the original plaster mold that I made. Trouble is, I can't find the mold, or the partially finished egg, or even the finished egg, come to it. So...there is nothing to do but make a brand new plaster mold. Let's begin. What is in the white ironstone soup tureen on my highboy?
*******With your mold you can now make as many papier mache eggs as your heart desires. Let's get started. For the paper, I use paper towels and for the paste I use flour and water. That's it. You can use ready made glue like 'modpodge' or even wood glue. Tear the paper towel into little flakes. View the picture below to see the general size of paper flakes. Mix up a batch of flour and water paste to the consistency that you like. I sometimes drop in a bit of essential oils to discourage mold or bugs. Bugs and mice love to eat dried papier mache. The essential oils are supposed to prevent this. Who knows? For this project, I decided to try modpodge for the first time. As it is a glue, and sealer, and finishing coat all at the same time, it will likely deter pests. Here is what you do: coat the inside of the mold with a thin layer of vaseline to act as a release Be sure to coat the flange area (rim outside of the egg shape) as well. I use my dedicated vaseline brush for this. With a clean brush (NOT the dedicated vaseline brush,) dip the brush into the paste you've made [flour and water], OR, modpodge as I am doing, and then pick up a flake of paper with the brush, and then apply the flake to the mold by pressing in with the brush. Keep going. Overlap the paper flakes. Aim for about 3-4 'layers' of paper. I've used white paper towels, and paper table napkins in a colour, so that I can see the layers. Make sure that you give a nice 'hinge' overlap all the way around the shape by setting the flakes inside the egg and up over the flange area. Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of what you are doing:
*******Decorating your egg is up to you. My plans are to give it a coat of gesso and then a layer of paint application by throwing the paint onto the surface using an old toothbrush. Then I'll apply a coat of clear gesso and then spray it with a coat of matte finishing spray. That is what my plans are for next weekend, as I'll be continuing to work on my papier mache eggs. See you soon, I hope!
I decided to show you a couple of things I made a few years ago, using this exact procedure of what I have described to you regarding eggs. This fella (a complete working 3 foot high marionette) might just bring you eggs, and the other fella might just steal them. They both have the name Jack. One a jackrabbit and one a trickster.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Little Journal
dc96: Willow
I had such a completely wonderful time making this little journal that I am going to make more of them. I'll make them until I run out of ideas. So I'll be selling them on my etsy shop for $8.00 USD, plus shipping. This is my intention for the next while. Hopefully they will be available soon, and I'll let you know by doing a blog post.Here's a few more shots of this little journal for Carole. It measures 2 3/8" w X 1 1/8" h when closed.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Moon Watcher
dc95: moon
This drawing challenge allowed me to pick up an old watercolor painting that I'd started some time ago, and work it into a composition which has the moon as the main feature. I'd forgotten what I'd learned in the first place, with this painting, and so I almost immediately, this go round, ruined it. This paper is a luxurious material that I cherish, but it is like flower petals in its' delicacy. What I mean is, is that whatever is done to it, has to be done with care. Paint loves it and sinks right in to the wonderful softness. There is an almost velvet appearance in person (just like a rose petal for example) and the paper does not like to be rubbed. Like say, with an eraser in a scrubbing motion. In fact it does not like scrubbing period. The paper absorbs the original mark (pencil for example) like it is being forced into the paper fibres. I thought I'd place heavy spots of pastel and then rub them in to blend later. Not much blending took place with rubbing, and the color almost intensified where I'd originally placed it on the surface. In any event, I adore this paper and this session has taught me even more about its' loveliness. And, I enjoyed myself this week, that is for sure. Here is a closer look at my 'rufous-necked stint' in summer attire, viewing a full moon:
I want to especially thank our host this week, Patrice, who chose this completely wonderful theme. I can barely wait to go view all of the art from the different players who joined in for this challenge. To see a selection of great offerings with this theme, pop by to visit Patrice where you will be linked to the blogs.Thanks for dropping by; see you soon I hope! Norma, x
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
WOYWW[196] Envelopes
The desksurface (my glass table):
The beginning of a fabric/paper collage envelope:
What the envelope is going to contain [one of my birds]:
A little section showing a closer look:
I've a long way to go [painted bird is a large part of the plans] but this is the very beginning! Thank you for dropping in today. Thank you Julia for hosting this wonderful Wednesday wander through many work surfaces and many projects by many participants. If you want to see more workdesks, pop by Julia's spot!Hope to see you again soon! Hugs, Norma, x
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Honeybee and Hare are friends
Here's an altered rolodex card made for www.tagtuesday.blogspot.comThanks for dropping by. See you soon, hopefully, Norma, xo
Labels:
altered rolodex card,
gel transfer,
hare,
honeybee,
tag tuesday
Friday, March 1, 2013
Fate Keeps Happening; searching for buttons
Here is my second attempt at doing collage. This time, a post card. I have to apologize if anyone is offended because I cannot read the Old German Script writing. I don't know the content and I chose it because of the beautiful lettershapes. If it is really inappropriate, will you please let me know!! Here is what the card looked like before I applied the final layer of Dorland's wax:
The wax obliterates the fuzzy paper bits that are left on with the gel transfers I used in this piece. Nothing is perfect, in life, or in art. I am ignoring the imperfect bits and won't bore you by pointing them out. My complete purpose in doing these pieces, is to learn. I am having so much fun, and must say a hearty thank you to BarbaraBee for inspiring me to begin to do collage, AND to Kim for teaching me about the Dorland's wax in the first place. My tip o' the hat to you two ladies.
Thanks for dropping in today, and I hope to see you soon. *smiles* Norma, xp.s. see the little hole in the rose in the middle of the scene? I'm going to cover it over with a stick-on bee.
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