Thursday, March 17, 2011

More Packing Tape Collage Art Cards

"PackingTapeCollage"
Acrylic paint, newspaper scraps, ripped
silver envelope, clear packing tape

"Tower Collage"
Artist card created acrylic paint, with clear packing
tape, newspaper clips, torn silver paper.


I think I will end up with a series of around 10 packing tape art cards. They pretty much have all been created using a newspaper section that featured a Colorado swim team. I loved the colors of the water and the pattern/texture of the edge of the pool and the red lap markers. Yellow ochre acrylic paint ended up being a nice starting point/contrast to the blue tones.


The first one, above, reminds me of clouds or fluttering bits of burning paper. The second looks like a sky scrapper. It somehow reminds me of one of the twin trade towers and that makes me a little sad to think of that part of US and World History.


No matter what this card series "means" I have fallen hard for this collage technique. I love the transparent layers and the shiny surfaces.


I talked about the fun and easy technique in the previous entry but to recap: just put clear packing tape over images and words for the Sunday newspaper. Rinse the paper side with warm water and peel or rub the paper off. The ink will adhere to the tape. The tape will remain sticky enough to stick down to your collage in process. I started with heavy cardstock coated with acrylic paint in a color that contrasted with the color of the ink I'd lifted. I also taped down scraps of color from the same pictures without washing off the paper.


You know I think I could make collages only using wonderful picture and image fodder from the local Newspaper for the next 20 years. Think I might try making some collages using the funnies this Sunday. Don't know why this is so yummy to me but it sure is.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Packing Tape Transfer

"Still Life with Rain and Swimmer"

Packing tape, patterned tape, magazine clips,
newspaper clips, metallic marker on chipboard.


"StayCollage2"

Clear packing tape collage using packing tape
transfers and clear packing tape as an adhesive for layer build up.
Acrylic paint, newspaper, calendar and magazine images.

I've just started a new blog dedicated to the medium of collage.

See it at http://creativecollage4journaling.blogspot.com/

The above collages are also an artist cards. This is such a fun and spontaneous technique. Instead of using liquid adhesive I used clear packing tape for image transfers and also to tape down scrapes and bits of texture to further the design.

The word "stay" was part of a dymo tape scrap laying on my art table. I really like the contrasting blue scraps with the orange background and the images that look like a window and a door. Can't wait to try this collage technique in a larger size.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

"Pop Love", Phase One, Collaborative Collage 1

"Pop Love" Phase One
Packing tape transfer of images from the TV guide,
Valentine week. Tim Holtz scrapbook paper plus
unidentified Michael's scrapbook paper. Glue stick.


I am very excited to begin a Collaborative Collage process with my friends Lisa Kastello (Northern Illinois Art Educator and artist) and Mel Jones Bushner Kolstad (Wisconsin artist, crafter, creative blogger and teacher). I proposed the collaborative collage after Mel gave me the inspiration with a facebook link. Bought the illustration board, but then was not sure how to start. I often have a "too many ideas" problem and sometimes get overwhelmed. Easy Girl.


I had the TV guide from the Sunday paper lying on my craft table and was intrigued by an retro artsy picture of Katy Perry. I'm not usually a "pink" person but decided to start with a packing tape transfer of the image.
For those of you who haven't tried this technique--very fast and easy. Just choose an image or text (newspaper is great) and put clear packing tape over the part you want. Soak it in water, rub off the paper. The ink adheres to the tape, creating an interesting transparent and ghostly image.


I'm mailing the 8" x 10" collage to Lisa today and can't wait to see the next developments. In our round-robin the first person starts the collage and theme, the second person adds layers and their own style and the third person finishes the collage as only they can. Then the third person starts a new collage and sends it to the next person. I like that we get to take turns creating the beginning, middle and end of each collage.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

More Brown Bag Journal Pages

Brown Bag Journal 2 (Cover)
I used the Tsukinek Antiquing Solution (Walnut Ink) with
Tim Holtz masks, black stamp ink and metallic markers.
Tim Holtz gear. Tatter Angels Glimmer Mist (Marshmallow).

Brown Bag Journal 2 (pages 3 & 4)

Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist (Marshmallow), magazine clips
Black Pitt pen, handmade paper, quotes.

Brown Bag Journal 2 (pages 1 & 2)

Stencils and masks with Tsukinek Antiquing Solution and
Tatter Angels Glimmer Mist (Marshmallow). Quotes.

Brown Bag Journal 2 (pages 5 & 6)
Magazine clips, post cards cut, quote, brads, with
stencils and Antiquing Solution and Glimmer Mist.

Paper Bag Journal 2 (Back Cover)


Magazine clips, Tim Holtz masks, Antiquing Solution,
Glimmer Mist, patterned tape. Quote.


King Crow Artist Card
Card image cropped from Paper Bag Journal 3
(Cover, below) made with Martha Stewart bird punch and
crown punch, patterned tape, stencils, Glimmer Mist and
Antiquing Solution, heart shaped brads.

Paper Bag Journal 3 (Cover)


These Brown Bag Journals are so fun and fast to make--a great way to try out new techniques. I was remembering a book I made for my sister Jane, many years ago, that had drawings and quotes in it. I love reading quotes and collecting them. These little journals are perfect for adding thoughtful phrases. What a great bonus to be able to crop the pages (digitally) to make a point of departure for an artist card. I think I am going to add faux encaustic to this card.


It has been a month since I have blogged although I have been making Paper Bag Journals, looking at craft books, journaling, making art cards and attending trades, as well as working on my outline for a book that is tentatively called: Creative Collage for Visual Journals, Artist Cards, Art Therapy, Fine Art and Crafts. I was working on writing a book about Artist Card techniques and applications but it kept on expanding. I love collage and it makes sense to me to create a more general "how to" book that also discusses applications such as journals and the other lovely things mentioned in the title.


Tonight I went to a writer's group, my attempt at making myself more accountable in terms of getting this book done. Love the group--the lecture was about "Writing With Heart". I have no lack of passion for art and the book topic so we will see how long it takes me to create it. I am committed to getting the first three topics in my outline written and illustrated by our next meeting. All, send me some good vibes for courage and keeping my feet (and hands) in motion, one step at a time.