Target Practice Collage Challenge

Laura Tringali Holmes is a collage artist who has challenged creative types to transform vintage paper targets into art. You can read Laura's interesting and candid personal backstory about these targets here http://lauratringaliholmes.blogspot.com/

I have risen to the challenge having created 10 art pieces so far. Below are some photos of some of these. They are all mostly 5x7" and created on canvas board.

If anyone wants to join in the fun Laura has created an open FaceBook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/161991817319872/ 

Lots of outside work got done this weekend and...some hand stitching (hooray for me). The white cylindrical object is a piece of women's exchange (money) from New Guinea. Not sure about right now but in the past women in the back parts (head hunting tribes) were not allowed to have money so they bartered using various shells and bones. The more spectacular the exchange token was the more it was worth.

I'm exploring further expansion of my abstract mixed media pieces by hand stitching on them. This piece uses coffee & blueberry stained mulberry paper stitched with linen thread, combined with antique book pages on watercolor paper textured with molding paste and acrylics. The final added element was hand stitching with cotton thread through all the layers. It measures 11x14".

Sooooo...I've been busy with many things this past month. Although some things never change...cleaning house was not one of the things I've been busy doing.

A friend sent me a link for an entry call for an exhibit that was looking for art that utilized simplicity to achieve dramatic effect. I failed miserably at most attempts being someone who layers, piles on and almost always overdoes it...closest thing to success was with these 2 collages. They each measure 16x20" and are comprised of thin (very thin) mulberry paper on canvas board. I applied matte medium to the paper then washed them with acrylics.

I also worked on this assemblage whose inspiration was the old, rusted wire light bulb cover that I scored for free at a flea market.

Hope all goes well with each of you and your days are filled with creativity, songs and heartfelt gratitudes.

Combined simple elements - paint, cotton paper and linen thread on watercolor paper to create an image / evoke a feeling.

But...I'm not sure which orientation provides the strongest suggestion.

Orientaion #1

 

Orientation #2

Or, Orientation #3?





There is someone at work who is very thin and eats cheeseburgers A LOT. He's been laughing for years now about how fun it would be if I did a painting of his favorite meal. Not sure what motivated me today but I picked up the pastels and went for it. This needs a bit of refinement but it's 95% completed. When framed it will measure 8x10".

Another nuno felted piece I just finished last night. This is a small piece that measures about 8x4". Now I need to make the trip to the fabric store to get more black wool felt that I use for the backing on these. I dislike going to the store but we must do what we must do in the name of creative adventures.

While nestled in a comfortable chair and listening to classical music, I continue hand stitching on handmade nuno felt I created months ago. My newest musical passion is for Phillip Glass's work. I find his music to have both an ambient and dramatic quality that is compelling.

Anyway, I begin these pieces without a plan other than trying to create a sense of antiquity. Someone who saw this piece called in 'ancestral' in nature. That made me happy. 

This piece is 8x10" and will be framed out to 11x14".

Well...it certainly has been awhile since I last updated this blog. I have been busy with life (funny how that happens - huh?) which has included ART. Lately I've fallen back in love with textiles and hand stitching. Not that I ever disliked these two things...just stepped away from them for a time. 

The colder weather has found me snuggled in a favorite chair with classical music playing and threads and needles in my hand. Below are samples of what I've been up to. Most of these were stitched on nuno felt I made over the summer. The non-felted piece is done on a ice dyed cotton.