Jen September 21st, 2008
So awhile back I received an email from Karen Grünberg asking if I would like to create a catalyst for Creative Therapy. As one who issues art challenges to other’s how could I not participate?!? Further it was so far in the future I really didn’t have to think about it right then. So of course I said yes! Chose my catalyst from a number that Karen suggested and put it on the back burner to percolate.
Fast forward 4 months and I was no closer to creating my piece. I did know that I wanted to use the catalyst: What’s a negative behavior or habit you have overcome? - for an assemblage, something I hadn’t done before. And I also knew that it would likely be doll-esque. You can view the end result as well as read more about the specific process on Creative Therapy. In the meantime here’s a sneak peek:
Introspection - Interior Detail
Oh! And did I mention if you participate you might get RAK’d? Go visit and find out how. Thanks again Karen!
Jen September 8th, 2008
… is just a frog.
Sometimes a Frog Prince is just a frog
Y’know something I never ever have problems with are titles for my work. They generally come to me during the creation, usually quite forcefully, occasionally sotto voce. This one didn’t commit until I was making the back label before it’s sent off to The Flying Pig. And then it just trilled off my pen. It makes me laugh!
I was experimenting with plaster over burlap which I’d applied onto the framework - an old canvas I didn’t like/want anymore and ripped off the material and was NOT going to chuck a perfectly finished frame. I love the textural quality of this combination though I think I’ll try it with some finer weaves to see how that works. I’m almost out of these great metal ceiling tiles which make dynamite house hats dontcha think? Guess an ebay troll is in my future. Oh the suffering for my art! 
And thanks to Patti Edmonds for givin’ me some love. I couldn’t possibly single out seven blogs … there are just so many good ones out there … but a start might be to visit some of the blogs listed over there –> OODLES of eyecandy to keep you occupied for hours and hours and hours. Thanks again Patti!
Jen August 29th, 2008
While working on another piece … y’know waiting on drying paint … I decided to finish off this series with the final 3 mower teeth. I love these smalls. And centered around the theme "Home" one of my favourites, they seem to sort of roll off the proverbial tongue.
Key To My Heart
Using the same mower tooth and cedar shingle as the base, I coated the wood with a diluted combination of Quin Gold and Mars Black. I cut out a vintage photo of "home" and then glued down the heart adding the top of a jeweller’s case that had been painted and patina’d. I used copper wire to hold it down. Patina’d the lady from Mad Rat Rubber and glued her down but used thin copper wire as well. The dangle on the bottom is a brass curtain ring that I filled with plaster, stamped the key on and then gouged the lines finally using a wash of Quin Gold/Mars Black really rubbing it into the gouges.
Jewel of My Eye
The elements in this piece include a brass filigree attached to the mower tooth, a vintage mat and photo of a child, lovely and faded, a key hole from Hannah Grey and a vintage jewel dangle. I used PthaloTurquoise as the base colour to enhance the turquoise of the jewel. A few brass/copper circles/brads add some side interest.
Fly Away Home
And finally my favourite of the 3, I etched some wings stamps, MadRat Rubber, using sheet metal, a mini assemblage that I received from an ebay buy yonks ago, mini frame from Hannah Grey, watch gear, thin copper wire gleaned from telephone cable - nothing EVER goes to waste around here! - a stick pendant and some glass beads snarfed from my daughter’s stash. LOVE the photo in the mini frame - a lot of "Men with Pets" I bought off ebay - priceless. Oh! Prior to attaching the elements I stamped the quin gold/black washed shingle with a stamp of an ancient map of Nouvelle Ecosse aka Nova Scotia. I thumped it down twice getting the ghost effect which stamping officianados would have a cow over, but personally, I LOVE. heh.
These three will be winging their way southwest to The Flying Pig just as soon as I finish that aforementioned "waiting for the paint to dry" piece.
Jen August 14th, 2008
When it rains, it pours … always. Not that I’m complaining of course, I just wish for a bit more …erm… BALANCE (Universe are you listening?!?) So three things…
1. Patricia Anders (aka Tricia to me) graciously invited me to include a doll in her Raining Art Dolls show being held for the month of September at the Ten Women Gallery in Venice CA. Here’s mine - being sent out "Get there NOW" post as we speak - I hope it doesn’t freak out the clientele!
2. The always amazing Seth Apter is creating another edition of The Pulse that will start on Monday, August 18 first with the participants (me! me! me!) and then our answers to his 7 questions. His questions are always thought provoking and provide a wonderful insight to how we as artists think, create and live. Be sure to check it out!
3. And finally, as I’m quickly running out of "month" to do an August challenge, I thought I’d throw the ball into YOUR court. What would you like to see from this fall’s challenges? Techniques? Projects? Guest Challengers? Does it matter if there’s a prize at the end or are you content just to participate? Do you like it when I participate too? I want to hear your thoughts. All of them. And just in case that isn’t incentive enough, I’m giving away some of the projects that I made in June’s Challenge … 6 of them to be exact, so there’s opportunity for lotsa winners. To whet your appetite here’s what you’re playing for …
So, same deal as a regular challenge, you have until August 31, 2008 to post in the comments below. You can post as many times as you want. I’ll be choosing my favourite responses and hopefully, some great ideas for challenges to come.
Okay. Let the games begin!
Jen August 6th, 2008
I’m late! I’m late! But finished … FINALLY. There were so many pieces to this assemblage that at times I felt like a production worker. But I’m pretty pleased with the finished product, hanging problems notwithstanding. I used a LOT of the techniques learned from Steph’s book Semiprecious Salvage- etching, wrapping, wire attachments, plaster casting, resin casting, metal boxes.
Each element from l to r: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, Wood - is housed in a small dollar store box. There is a metal box attached to the inside of each with a central …heh… element. Again, l to r: plaster cast of frog from MadRat Studio rubber, fish from Hannah Grey encased in resin, copper mesh flames with red crystal dangle for "fire", rusted nails and aged metal for "metal", and assorted wood beads set in caulking for "wood". Each element also has 5 small dangles and one larger dangle - bones/skull for earth, shells/starfish for water, burnt matches/red drop bead for fire, metal triangles/domes for metal, and sticks and wood ball for wood. There is a metal rod that goes through each box as the hanger.
I’ll be back later in the week with another challenge. Stay Tuned!
