I'm wondering how many of you really wonder about how it's done? If you are just a little curious, you can see the steps from start to finish here.
A few months ago I asked you all to answer a short survey. You said you'd like to see the steps taken to complete a piece of art, why I choose the colors I do and if there's any special meaning to them. Most of that was in relation to mosaics because that is what I am known for but not really what I now do. Instead, here's the way I approach a layered collage. I learned this technique from Jackie Bernardi, a YouTube hero of mine who teaches painted paper techniques and shares how she does them. She's awesome.
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| Taking painted papers I'm not crazy about and using them for layering is a great way to use every scrap I have. These are pretty darned ugly and would have gotten tossed out if I didn't learn about this technique. These aren't precious at all to me as is but once finished, these pieces of collage art are very special to me. |
As the photo shows above, I'm putting a layer of ripped and/or cut up pieces of painted paper and filling in the 4 inch wooden block with them. I don't care what papers I use. You'll probably never see them again once it's a completed piece. I'm more than okay with that.
Then I paint each block completely with a slightly watered down version of acrylic (not much water because it too will most likely never be seen but it might).
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| Most of the time I just use black paint at this point but this time I wanted to use colors. This too might not be seen very much at the end but it can peek through a little. |
Once the paint is dry, I add another layer of painted papers.
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| These aren't as ugly and actually I was tempted to leave them as is ... but I didn't. |
Once these papers are dry from using the matte medium, I sand them, scruffing them all up. That starts the grunge look that I am in love with creating. I have a serious crush on this look.
I didn't take a photo of that step. Sorry.
After that I do another coat of matte medium and then add water, black paint, dragonfly glaze and varnish medium together and paint it on each block.
Once completely dry I add cut outs from painted papers and quotes.
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| I was going to use 3 different cut outs but all three peace signs wanted to be on these. And so it is. |
I did finishing touches by painting the wood around it's edges in black and outlining the peace signs with a paint pen before hanging them.
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| "Live In The Moment" |
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| "Remember the Now" |
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| "Embrace the Journey" |
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| Signed and dated on the side |
I think this a great way to take "meh" painted papers and creating something "wow" with them. What do you think?
Enjoy the journey.
Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics
If you'd like to support the artist go to BuyMeACoffee and buy me a cuppa. It's always greatly appreciated. Thank you so much. 👄💝
https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com
