Original Sin: The Theme for a New Assemblage

The title is Eve, naturally!

I'll start with some of the materials and how I begin most of my assemblages or shrines. Then I'll show you how I actually start (Hint: It's with the support! No surprise there.) Finally, I'll explain my planning process and, at last, display several views of the finished piece.

I've begun painting the inside of this wooden box.

If you've been longing to assemble a found-object sculpture, you will likely choose to build it 

Possible containers to hold an assemblage.

in or on a support of some kind. It's my choice to use adhesives rather than power tools or welding. (I'd probably burn the house down or cut off a body part that I'm rather attached to!) 

Do you have an idea, a theme, even a motif that you'd like to use? It's easy to come up with inspirational concepts if you are passionate about particular ideals. I can't believe I'm about to say this, but (ugh, a cliche) follow your heart! What are your obsessions?

It helps to pull out some of the junk you've been saving--some of it might spark an idea.

 

I gather objects and materials that may fit my theme, trying to use what I already have (but a trip to the thrift shop might be necessary).



I didn't use the butterflies shown here.

Next, I plan on paper, a rough idea of what goes where, but I advise to stay flexible and change your plans as needed. With Eve, I altered the box, the figure, the Garden elements, even the snake with acrylic paint and/or modeling paste. A sharp little hand saw and a pair of pliers were also necessary. 

Stucco, metal & plastic leaves, & pa

Notice that I added another boxy element on the top to balance, hold the viewer's eye, and unify. The piece was inexpensive to create, and it can even be wall-hung if desired.

Can you find the eye of God?

 

Here's the back view:



Major texture.