The Rogue Speaks:
...but it was definitely a challenge! This past weekend I attended a collage workshop at Toscana Gallery. I was very excited about it because I have always wanted to do collage, but was afraid because I am so anal. Then on Friday, I read a post by Nothing Profound which said, "Don't stand in the hallway waiting; join the feast." Well, that was just what I needed!
Rebecca Bushner, whose paintings you can see on the right, and who is pictured in the top photo above, was the teacher. She has a wonderful and creative countenance, and she put me at ease immediately. The focus of the class was first creating one's own custom collage paper using solargrams (cyanotypes or blueprints) and then incorporating those into a collage using acrylics, pastels, colored pencil, inks, or whatever, to create a finished piece. O.k., I can do that! Or can I?
Once all the pieces for my first collage were laid out, Rebecca told me that I could now begin to assemble them. Yeah, o.k., right. I stared at them for a few minutes, then tentively began to lay them out on the canvas. Yikes! What the hell am I doing here?? I don't have the first clue! Rebecca saw the look of fright on my face, and gently encouraged me to just "play around with the pieces" until I found an arrangement I was comfortable with.
Karen Pena, one of the students in the class (photo above--pink shirt!), took to this like a duck to water. She told us that she was going skydiving in a few days, and that explained it! That gal is up for anything! She was starting on her second piece while I was still staring at my first.
Well, I finally came up with an arrangement that did not make me want throw-up, or leave the class because I just remembered I was scheduled for brain surgery in an hour, so I began to glue, and paint. The photo above is my first piece. Rebecca told me if I did not put it on MY blog, she would put it on HERS!
Please don't judge! Just look at all my other pieces, and you will discover that abstract is not a strong point for me. My wonderful friend, Cher, recently bought one of my encaustics that I have on the right side of my blog.
Now, please don't get the wrong idea. I am not giving up on this technique--I am just going to go s l o w l y until I get it figured out. It may take me a while, though!!
23 comments:
Isn't that fun though? After much sweating, nauseating and such you got a piece of art done. The joy of the creative process. :) And it's a fine piece of first try!
Judie-I love your collage. And I'm honored that my aphorism was the motivating factor to get you in gear. That kind of feedback is what makes writing these little sentences worthwhile.
Well, Sara, it was "either publish it on your blog, or it will be published on mine!" I was scared of what the instructor's friends might say if it appeared on her blog!
Marty, I may not always respond to your aphorisms as poetically as other people do, but I take them to heart, and that is the whole idea!!
I think you're thinking too hard. Art isn't always about thought...it involves feeling too. FEEL! And abstract is perfect for that. Slap stuff down, smoosh it, wiggle it, twist it around...tada! Stop thinking.
Judie, the collage is beautiful! You can't help it that you are a marvelous talent. Deal with it. Oh, yes indeed, I bought an encaustic of yours and love it. I also have my eye on another piece. I just haven't worked up the nerve to ask how much it is yet...but I will. You did great, my sister!
Cher, tell me what piece it is. I think I already know, of course. Type to me, my sister.
ooooh, ahhhh, a feast for the eyes! i wanna lick it then devour the whole thing!!
Elisa, I am trying to not think so much but it is hard. BTW, I figured out the music thing.
BFA, thanks. I don't think there are any toxic paints in it. I'll get you a knife and fork. Do you want some Tabasco with it?
I think we should create our words and our works of art with the abandon and confidence of a child given a new box of 64 crayons!
It looks like you let go and your muse came out to play.
Lovely collage.
First we have to eat the purple crayon. That was my favorite flavor.
The fastest and surest way to monkey-wrench any creative process is doubt. And I think we all suffer from that to a degree. However, once we get over the hump and dive in, we realize after the finished product that there was nothing to fear. And, we acknowledge what art is truly about: that feeling of "oneness," of "totality," of "complete focus and bliss," that we enter when we're in it. Betcha felt good afterwards, didn't ya? =)
For a first, tentative try, it is a fine piece. You should be proud of it.....
Rebecca, this is so unlike anythng I have ever done, I am really not sure how I feel. I will do more, and see if I can get some sort of flow going in my mind.
Judie,
I just love the music feature you have added! The selections you have are complimentary to your art and subjects. There is no end to your creativity, my sister.
Thanks, Cher. I wanted to put some of my own music on it, but had to settle for Playlist instead.
Well, I didn't get the artist gene as far as paintings go, but I adore it! I think it's great. I love that you stepped out of your comfort zone. And I especially love that another blogger inspired that! I dig nothingprofound as well. Very inspirational! You work it girl, it looks great, I don't care how many margaritas you had. ;-)
Angelia, I must tell the truth! After I finished the workshop, I opened a COLD beer that I had brought from home! I know I should have brought one for everyone, but it was Keil's beer and there were only two left. If I had had any tequila, I would have made a pitcher of margaritas for, for--oh, yes--for EVERYONE, yeah, that's right.
I loved your pictures today, BTW.
Just come over and we will slap collage papers on. I have boxes full and we can hand color some papers too. I love doing collage. You are too hard on yourself. Just keep gluing it on--if you don't like it--put another layer on.
I love it. Spirals are always so meeesmeeeeriziiiing.
Huh? Wha' the...where am I and how did I get here?
Honestly though, I really like that piece you did.
And might I say, I love the quirkiness of your blog! I will definitely be checking out more soon.
Thanks for the comment over on my blog!
DBH, I am ready when you are! Just let me know when you want to cut and paste!
TheHOchieS, that chicken butt thing is fascinating and scary! It warrants investigation. HAHAHA
I think you're already there. Very cool piece!
ps. This is weird because I swear I commented on this post?? I must be losing it!
Sai, I'm still working on the piece but thanks for the compliment.
I'm the one whose "losing it." Collage has thrown me for a loop, but I will continue to study it and see what happens.
I'm glad you broke through your discomfort. The piece is great and an inspiration to break out of our own comfort zones.
Chris, I will get a handle on this sooner or later. I have way too much clutter in my head right now from trying to reorganize my studio to accomodate a daybed. It is a painful process that has left me in a fugue state most of the time!
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