A MIXED-MEDIA COLLAGE -- SMALL & SIMPLE

I created this piece awhile back when I was really into using vintage images. It sports some textured paper, acrylic paint, a heart "locket" that's probably not real gold, and yes, I know that hearts have been done to death. (Back then I guess I used it because I had it.)


The text is my message against pedophilia.

I hope your Independence Day holiday is or was a "bang-up" good time!





ASSEMBLAGE w/ PLASTER OF PARIS FLOWERS

A SHRINE ENTITLED 
LOOSE IS THE GRASP

 

This found-object sculpture is not really a shadowbox, exactly, but I would call it an altered art assemblage.

 

I dipped fabric flowers in plaster to create the petals.

The top arch (behind the flowers) is a metal soap dish. I applied a 

patina to it.

Yes, plaster flowers are quite fragile, but I painted and sealed them.

 

The housing was a clock at one time. Now it has a crackle finish. The doll hands did not go with the doll head.


The neck "ruffle" was a metal cog of some kind. Below that, 2 brownie or girl scout pins and a

coin, again with patina.

I repeated the arch, sort of, inside the box and behind

the big doll head, with another metal arch (latticed) and a painted porcelain medallion (the small head).

 

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TWO COLLAGE - PAINTINGS

The first of these, more of a collage than a painting, honors my late Uncle Dan. Verrry late...he passed many years ago.  I used both black & white and colored transparencies of differing sizes, and I flipped some of them! 

 

Dan farmed with cattle--can you tell?

The second work, truly both a painting and a collage, makes a very obvious statement. I've always liked certain blues with golden ochre colors, and the black and white aid with contrast. I sand-papered in places. This piece is more textured than is visible in the photo.

Cruciform, yet a bit too formally-balanced, perhaps.

(It appears in the book, Painting with Mixed Media, published by Stackpole Books.)



SIREN SONG, A COLLAGE - PAINTING

Texture, leaf prints, text, images, paint.

8.5 x 11"

on canvas

Altered Havens: Shadowboxes and Shrines

 Places of the Heart/Art

Altered art is an umbrella term referring to the transformation of
ordinary, everyday objects into artistic pieces.

Assemblage is the art of constructing a cohesive, sculptural piece from a variety of materials (especially found objects). Diane Maurer-Mathison refers to it as "three-dimensional collage." As a form of freestyle sculpture, it might also be labeled Reconstruction. The parts, most of which are not intended as art materials, are predominantly brought together rather than
painted, drawn, modeled, or carved.
You dismantle things and recombine the pieces in new ways. Thusly you are remaking the meanings of the objects used. It's a way to give new purpose and a second life to castoffs.

Top of my shrine to Ganesh, a Hindu god.

Here's my tutorial, below, on how to create an altered art assemblage,    
be it an altar or shrine or spirit house.  
(Spirit houses are shrines to the protective spirit of a place. Shrines are receptacles for revered artifacts both sacred and secular. They make a visual statement filled with meaning. They can have to do with family, nature, personal growth, healing, protection--their significance is chosen by the creators of the shrines. Shrines can be commemorative, inspirational, meditative, or empowering in some other life-enhancing way, and each one can be made aesthetically appealing.
Like shrines, home altars are places of contemplation and personal devotion. The construction of personal altars is an ancient art--for some, they are holy places, sacred spaces. They have served the spiritual for thousands of years, providing a hub for linking up with one's inner self.)

Close-up of the bottom portion of Ganesh, by P. Guhin

TO BEGIN:
       1.     Will the shrine or altar be miniature temple of sorts, a personal space for reflection, a reminder of what you're thankful for, a celebration of an event, perhaps? Or is it to be a memorial to honor someone or something? Your objective might be simply to creatively and freely express yourself.
Tip: The finished piece need not strictly adhere to your original plan.

   2.  There's no single, "right" way to begin such an assemblage, but you could start with a sturdy vessel or a strong framework. Choose a shadowbox, base, deep picture frame, or other receptacle for its good craftsmanship and stability. Bear in mind its size, form, and structure as they relate to your needs. A junked medicine cabinet, desk drawer, wooden box, or old clock case could house the key elements. Other ideas for a reliquary are a vintage train case, a metal cash box, or the shell of an old bathroom scale. Of course this foundation will be transformed as you work, but it is the core of your piece

3. Collect materials and play with their potential. Bring together memorabilia, talismans, and other symbolic objects, including charms and trinkets. Do you have any fetish objects? (A fetish is an inanimate object loved for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit. It is believed to protect or aid its owner.)
Similarly, a totem is also a venerated symbol; a plant, natural object or animal believed by a person or a society to have spiritual significance.

Mindfully gather such meaningful objects as special stones or feathers, seashells, bones, horns, crystals, a figurine. Also assemble pictures, papers, decorative elements, and more. Consider their colors and textures--rich textures, visual or actual, add appeal to an artwork. Soon an idea will gel or a theme will come to mind and you can move forward.

Ganesh. 15" tall, 6" wide, 3.5" deep

4. Cover the work area first. One way to begin is to paint, collage, or embellish the vessel as you wish, before inserting and adhering major parts. (Another method is to assemble the entire piece first, and then paint it, or dispense with the paint altogether!) Be prepared to change your mind as you audition the various components.

Decide whether the assemblage will be grounded or suspended from a wall or both. Add feet if desired, using thread spools, wooden blocks, flat pebbles, or furniture legs. Consider attaching a hanging system. Decorate any unfinished areas (top, sides, back) as desired, making adjustments throughout the process.

More altars and spirit houses: 

See Freedom Flight, with real bird wings, at this link: Shrine,

and a shrine to my mom at Memorial to Ida

A WALLHANGING - COLLAGE

MATERIALS: 

• Vinyl-covered fabric pieces
• Vintage images and text
• Gel medium
• Acrylic paints and brushes
• Embellishments (I used a flat wooden number and a rusty keyhole element)
• A method of hanging the finished piece

1. I tore some of the edges of the vinyl material and burned some of them, too.
2. Heavy gel medium joined the background pieces together very well. I allowed that to dry before proceeding.

   

   My hanging device is an old pail handle!

3. Since the background was very white, I scumbled some earthy color onto it.
4. Next, I selected the collage elements, arranged them to my satisfaction, and adhered them to the background pieces. I also enhanced the piece with a couple of stamped areas. 

   

   The finished collage - wallhanging.

   

Heritage Art & Collage/Paintings

Old photos, especially portraits, have a way of capturing the imagination. In this post you'll find four artworks using vintage portrait imagery along with paint, art papers, text, shallow objects, and more.

Scruffy old paint brushes were incorporated!

While I love bright colors, sometimes only muted ones will do. 

The example below just cried for soft, neutral tones.                           



A rusty baking pan (sealed) served as the substrate & frame.



       

Collage/Paintings by P. Guhin

(Tactful feedback is appreciated.)

Assemblage in Memorial to Mom

My mother was amazing. She could do anything she set her mind to, it seemed to me. I created this shrine to honor her. 
It's about 15" high.

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