Photo(s) Friday

I got out again this week to see some art....Neon Art! Museum of Neon Art (MONA) opened up this month in Glendale, CA. For many years it was located in downtown L.A. It's so cool that it's nearby. I would recommend seeing the neon art in person because of the pieces have moving parts. Very cool!

 

The neon is sandwiched between some type of fiber.

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Brand Library Art Galleries - "Go Big or Go Home" exhibit

I gave myself a nice treat today by going to Brand Library Art Galleries and saw the "Go Big or Go Home" exhibit. You can read about the exhibit here.  

I love this gallery space. Every exhibit I've attended is so well curated. If you're in the Glendale, CA area before March 25th, I highly recommend checking out this exhibit.

 

In the Courtyard, Bridget Beck's "Composite Sketch" took up the whole space. Very impressive and thought provoking piece.

"Composite Sketch" by Bridget Beck

Next I took in the art in the Atrium Gallery. The art by Thinh Nguyen were performance pieces that the artist wore during the opening reception. I wish I had gone to experience it.
 

"Gorilla Girl" by Thinh Nguyen

"Vagless" by Thinh Nguyen

"Panther" by Thinh Nguyen

"Sage" by Thinh Nguyen

 "Goth Baby" by Emily Sudd represents the heartbeat of her unborn baby. Lovely piece.

"Goth Baby" by Emily Sudd

"Untitled Amplifiers" by Julie Schustack

I worked my way into the main Skylight Gallery. The artwork in this space overwhelmed me in a very good way. 

"Dusty Eulipians Guide the Journey Agents" by Rebecca Niederlander

"Juicer" by William Ransom

"Licketh the Rainbow" by Ashley Hagen

"Organic Form" by Pontus Willfors

"The Spider and The Fly" by Christian Tedeschi

"The Story is in the Frame" by Elizabeth Tinglof

"Tide Pool"  by Lynn Aldrich

"Scorpuluum" by Rebecca Ripple (photo from Brand Gallery's website)

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Photo Friday

Beautiful poppies on my morning walk.

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Collage 9" x 12" - "That's Life"

I didn't intend for this 9" x 12" collage titled "That's Life" to convey darkness. The black and white text dictated to me the colors of the ground. I wanted to include positive and some not so positive words/sayings to convey life. 

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Photo(s) Friday

On my walks through my neighborhood, I have passed by this wooden carved sculpture for many years. It's attached to a low brick wall surrounded by bushes in front of a house. The residents of this house have never been outside when I've been walking by so I haven't been able to ask them about it. I appreciate it even though I have no idea what is represents. 

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Paper Laminated onto Silk Organza

This post is a continuation of the altering magazine papers with CitraSolv. Once the altered papers dried, I decided to laminate them to silk organza using an acrylic gel medium. Another technique that I've wanted to try for quite some time.

I set up my work space with covered tables with drop cloths, straight pins, paper towels, acrylic gel medium, small spatula, silk organza and altered papers. I set up the tables like an assemble line. Pinning the silk organza to the dropped cloths helped to keep it from moving but I still had the altered paper moving around.

 

I didn't take a photo of how I applied the acrylic gel medium to the altered paper/silk organza pieces. Most people lay a screen on top then apply the acrylic gel medium with a spatula. I didn't have a screen handy so, I directly applied the acrylic gel medium to the altered paper/silk organza pieces. It seemed to work out okay.

 

close up of altered paper/silk organza with acrylic gel medium

Once all the laminated papers dried, it was on to ironing them. Yes, I said ironing them! This step needs to be done! The acrylic gel medium glues the fabric to the paper but the iron bonds the paper and fabric together.

I've read different articles using parchment paper or paper grocery bag or freezer paper to protect the paper/fabric and iron. I didn't have parchment paper on hand so I tried a paper grocery bag and freezer paper. Make sure to iron each piece at least 5 minutes.

The freezer paper worked better than the paper grocery bag. I had to use 4 pieces of freezer paper to iron for 30 paper/fabric pieces. Next time I'll try the parchment paper. 

The next step is to soak all the paper/fabric pieces in cold water so the excess paper can be removed. Add just enough cold water to cover all the paper/fabric pieces. Now you know why ironing the pieces is so important. If the paper isn't bonded to the fabric then all the work you did up to this step will be lost.

After 10 -15 minutes, remove the paper/fabric pieces from the cold water. Put each piece face down on a plastic tablecloths and start remove the excess paper on the back. What you're doing is removing the image on the back of the magazine page, which isn't bonded to the silk organza. This step will make laminated papers thinner and easier to stitch. I started to use my finger nails but it was taking too long. I got out an expired credit card to use. It took off more of the paper faster. This is a messy process. Side note: I had a realization that I like to get messy when I create art. 

photo of the back

close up of a section on the back

While I was removing the back paper, I put this paper pulp in a plastic container with some water. I want to make paper for another project. Another post for another day.

paper pulp in plastic container with water

As the excess paper was being removed, I hung each piece on a clothes rack to dry.
 

Here are some of the dried pieces. The silk organza makes the altered papers lighter with a white haze on top to soften the look. I've made 30 pieces so far. The project idea I have in mind is large so I need to make at least 30 more pieces. These are a good start.
 

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Photo(s) Friday

I'm fascinated with anything that's rusted and weathered. These signs posted at different locations around my neighborhood caught my eye.

  

 

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Altering Magazine Pages with CitraSolv

For years I've been meaning to eek out some time to try altering magazine pages with Citra Solv. It's a technique has been around for awhile. This technique needs to be done when the weather is dry and warm. Fortunately, last week was warm enough so I made time then.

Before I started, I watched Cathy Taylor's YouTube video as a refresher course. She suggested using National Geographic magazines for the best results and Clear Tar Gel as a resist. I've never used Clear Tar Gel before so I was excited to give it a try.

CitraSolv has a strong odor so, I decided to work outdoors. Along with Citra Solv and Clear Tar Gel, I brought out a drop cloth, roll of paper towels, rubber gloves and a small plastic measuring spoon to apply the Clear Tar Gel.

I started by applying the Clear Tar Gel to some of the magazine pages.

While those pages dried, I started to sprinkle Citra Solv on the remaining pages. I found it's a trail and error to figure out how much of the Citra Solv to use. As with most things, it's better to use a little bit and add more if the pages are altering. 

A field of drying papers!

 

Below are some of the pages after the Citra Solv dried.

This is the altered paper from the image above with Clear Tar markings. 

The original page was mostly black. I was concerned that it wouldn't alter but I really like how it turned out.

  

I like the contrast between the lavender and rust colors.

I started by adding Clear Tar Gel to this paper. After I added the Citra Solv and put it on a metal mesh table, this cool design appeared. Love! 
 

The original page had many different colors. I love the iridescent look.
 

I have an idea on how I will use these altered papers. Stay tuned!
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