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Vintage Collage-Works

Thursday, November 20th, 2008 by Alyice

Lately I’ve found myself admiring functional collage art—the kind that doesn’t just sit on shelves or walls collecting dust; the kind that allows you to touch, feel, open, close, and actually use the art. So when I heard about Sunny and Maryjo’s book, Vintage Collage-Works, I just had to get a peek inside the book and I wasn’t disappointed.

Vintage Collage-Works contains 75 different project ideas, all of which are so easy to do that even a child can create collages. Each project can be built upon one another to create hundreds of one-of-a-kind works or used alone to create very simple, less complicated pieces of work.

The book starts out with a brief history lesson on where collage came from and how collage art has been used throughout history. Then it gives a list of tools needed to create vintage collages, followed by four techniques: image transfer, painting with gouache, aging and scumbling, and pressing and preserving. Next, the books shares instructions on creating collages with papers, wallpaper, sheet music, maps, boxes, metals, glass, and botanicals. Finally, the book closes with several pages of clipart that can be used to create personal works of art and a short resource list.

I really loved how the authors used old postcards and transformed them into beautiful miniature works of art with just a little paint and few added imagery. And page 115 offers a simple, yet elegant collage using a piece of bark, part of an old map, an old postcard, and personal photographs—all tying together one theme: Italy. I loved the idea of using old maps with personal images and area objects because it combines my obsession/desire to travel with my need to find new uses with for old objects.

Vintage Collage-Works is really simple to understand as the techniques are designed to help beginners create beautiful works of art instantly. What I really liked about this book is the fact that the authors use personal items combined with items found at flea markets and antique stores to create three dimensional works of art—not just paper art. It’s definitely a book I would recommend to anyone interested in learning about collage art, but may be intimated by the process.

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Sponge Painting

Thursday, May 15th, 2008 by Alyice

Can you really make beautiful art with everyday household sponges and a few acrylic paints? According to Terrence Lun Tse you can! And that’s just what he proves in his exciting book, Sponge Painting.

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I originally went to the bookstore to find a few books on painting backgrounds as I have a few ideas that could use a little polishing but when I found Tse’s book, I had to buy it. It’s amazing what he does with an ordinary household sponge and how many beautiful effects you can create with nothing more than a rectangular sponge, a little water, and acrylic paints. In fact, I think it’s a great book for beginning collage artists who want quick, easy, and fun backgrounds for their collage work.

There are 20 projects in the book with 14 quick sponge painting demonstrations and four pages of getting started instructions.

The projects start with a photo of the actual painting you’ll be making and a description of that painting. It’s followed by a list of acrylic paints you’ll need to complete the project along with colored squares to help you match the colors correctly. Next you’ll see a few photos of the painting in progress and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve certain effects. Finally, you’re given instructions on how to critique the piece so that you can give yourself constructive criticism and make the changes necessary to go from “okay” to “wow”.

After showing the book to my daughter she asked if we could do a few projects together this summer. I can’t wait! It’s the first book I’ve shown her that she actually thought she’d have fun doing as a “mother-daughter” activity.

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A Photographic Style

Thursday, March 20th, 2008 by Alyice

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Aside from the fact that the Bell’s Palsy has made my eye see blurred and fuzzy images, thus making it difficult to pursue photography at this time, I’ve come to realize something that’s been holding me back—thanks to Anne Geddes’ new book, A Labor Of Love. And that’s the fact that I don’t’ really know what I want to specialize in when it comes to photography and that makes it difficult to get out there and market.

It’s very much like the life of an artist. An artist must first define his (or her) work and then set himself apart from other artists. He must show—through his art—what makes him different, special, and distinct. He must give his clients a reason to choose his work over that of other artists, or to choose his work to complement the works of other artists already purchased. And right now, I can honestly say that I don’t have such a direction for my photography.

Sure I know that I want my photography to help record and preserve history at both an affordable and profitable price. I also know that I want to capture real life and real moments in time and that I don’t want to work with people who want digital plastic surgery just to make themselves look better. I know that I want to work with people who like themselves for who they are inside and want that inner beauty to be portrayed in their photographs—minor touch-ups okay. And finally, I know that I wouldn’t mind using a little Anne Geddes magic in my photographs. But beyond that, I have nothing. I don’t yet have a style to call my own.

Early on Geddes discovered that “…every photographer needs to have their own individual style, a sense that you can do it your own unique way….” and she knew that it would “take years to develop”. But that did not stop her from owning her own photography business. She cultivated her style while working as a portraiture photographer. And today, she’s living her dream as a renowned baby photographer.

Reading A Labor Of Love. was a truly inspirational and motivational experience because it allowed me to see where Geddes came from and how she got to where she is today. It showed me that one can begin a photography business without yet having one’s own distinct style and that one can grow into that style over time. And it made me realize how vitally important it is to stay true to one’s self; for only then can real success take place—whether that success is monetary or otherwise.

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