Self Exploration Collage/Assemblage Online Group Art Project Materials List

As I promised here is Art Materials List:

*  Collected Papers and Found Objects 
*  6" x 6" Wrapped Art Canvas (any small size will work) or Mixed Media Art Journal

* Glue Stick (UHU is good one)
* Scissors

*  1/2" flat Paint brush 
* Water Container
* Containers for paint or Paint Palette
* Foam Paint Brush
* Acrylic Gesso
* Acrylic Paints (your choice of colors)
* Acrylic Ink (1-2 colors with at least one being Transparent)
* Transparent Inks or Inktense Pencils (optional)
* Watercolor (optional)
* Colored Pencils
* Pastels (optional)
* Stamping Materials including Ink
* Waterproof Pen(s)
* Hair Dryer (optional) lessens drying times of layers

Try to gather all of your materials and have Prompt #1 completed so you will be ready to work on the next step.  Even though I will be trying to finish this project within a two week period, there is no timeline.  This is a self guided project.

HELPFUL HINTS:  If you cannot find or purchase everything at once, use what you have on hand.  Improvise.  This is not to be a stressful but enjoyable project.

UR-TURN:  Is there something you have had to substitute or added on the materials list?  Share with others what those items are, it will help others.

Until Next Time.

Many Blessings,

Self Exploration Collage/Assemblage Online Group Art Project-Journal Prompt #1

Gather up your Art Journal or Notebook for this part of the Project.

Prompt#1: 
Purpose of this assignment is to

Discover Who You Are by:

* confronting pain/embracing joy

* reflecting on your past experiences

* exploring who you are/ what you tell other people about yourself

* stories I tell myself

* exploring significant people and events

* what is important to me

* examining my strengths and weaknesses

* discovering areas of personal growth

* core values

Now ask yourself these questions and write them down, unedited, in your own journal.  Use descriptive Adjectives and limit yourself to 5-15 minutes of writing time.

RESPOND TO THESE QUESTIONS:

Where did I come from?

Who is my family?

What is most important to me?

What roles do I play?

The stories and myths about myself

My favorite foods, movies, music

Personality traits

Memories

Dreams/Goals

After you have completed this exercise collect objects that can visually represent what you have discovered.  We will use those objects later on in our collage/assemblage art.

A Materials Lists will be in the next Blog Posts.

HELPFUL HINTS:  Give string writing a try.  To use this method continuously write without stopping to edit your thoughts or grammar. If you draw a blank, write something like, I do not know what to write so I am writing this etc... until the next idea comes to you.  

UR-TURN:  Feel free to share one thing you learned from completing this exercise.

Until Next Time.

Many Blessings,

That Makes Cent$-Collecting Found Items for Mixed Media Art

No need to always pay money for items to add to your Mixed Media art.  All of us are known to have items around the house you may not realize would work wonderfully in your next art project.  Here is a small list of ideas to help:

*  Tear the stamps off of mail, especially unusual stamps
*  Keep old grocery lists or post it notes with interesting writing or messages
*  Old phone book pages
*  Libraries usually have books and magazines they give away for  
   free, look for ones with interesting 
    pages and/or images that can be torn and used
*  Old music sheets
*  The paper from old sewing patterns
*  Old greeting cards
*  Used wrapping/tissue paper

Until Next Time.

Many Blessings,

HELPFUL HINTS:  Don't limit yourself to what you may have around the house.  Solicit help looking for items from your family, friends and neighbors.  

UR-TURN:  What items or other places do you look for and save as part of your Mixed Media stash?  

"Torn"- WHAT IT ALL MEANS

As I promised earlier in one of my previous post, I am about to explain my artwork entitled, "Torn."

This art piece was my first attempt in using paper and objects to tell a story in an abstract collage/assemblage style.  I tried to make each strip from a distance look like a piece of fabric, but when coming closer would look like a scrapbook page with hidden messages.

The layout of this piece revolves around the Log Cabin quilting square.  This is because my story began in 1997 while working on this quilt.  As you can see the Log Cabin square is constructed slightly different than one might expect.  The square is slightly off center representing where my heart would be in my body and the strips are not together, but separated by a gap of torn fabric that is restitched together.  This signifies my left main artery and branches downward tearing and being sutured up in open-heart surgery.

In a Log Cabin square one side usually has darker shades of color than the other.  The bottom right side of this piece exhibits the lighter colors and represents the more positive emotions experienced during this time.  The top left side of this piece show the darker colors and more negative emotions.

*The center square has a key hole with a key dangling just outside.  This is to invite the viewer to investigate and discover the hidden story.  
*The first strips represent the love I felt and received and opposing anger and frustration.
*Next, is the confusion about what was happening with my health and in contrast to the peace I received in exercising my Christian faith.  
*The woven piece uses photos taken from a community fund-raiser held for my medical expenses.  Showing when strangers come together as a united front we form a strong community.  On the other hand, even though in life we may be walking side by side as in strips of paper, we lack cohesiveness.  
*The outside right side used torn pieces of prayer cards sent to me during my illness.  Signifying hope and God's answered prayers.  The blue drops of glass are my tears of sadness falling.  
*The very top piece with the Fall leaves signifies the season I first went into the hospital and the very bottom piece was the last time on Valentines Day.

Always welcome to send me comments or questions.

Until next time.
Blessings,
Laurie