Eventually, as you start to add layers, depth and dimension really start to appear. The first photo is terrible, shot quickly as I prepared to leave a day of class, but you can see the progression. I had take it home and worked for about 4 additional hours. The next image was taken after another day of class.
For most of October, the 49th Windward Artists Guild Member Exhibition was on view in the gallery at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden - a setting that vice president Tamara Doehm says is inspirational for both creativity and sales: “It’s a beautiful location with lots of visitors and tourists.”
The opening reception Oct. 12 drew 150 people, who came to see 65 pieces created by 46 member artists.
Tamara Doehm, Julie McIntyre and Bonnie McCann
Decide where you want to begin, select a part of the tissue that best suits what you want to achieve and begin the collage process. The how-to’s of collaging are detailed and technical, so I highly recommend Susan Rogers-Arreger’s book on collaging with hand-dyed papers. You can see her website at www.sraoahu.com. If you ever get the chance to take her class, I also recommend it and you really need to take the entire class, not just the dyeing day, or one collage day. It’s a process that just can’t be told, it has to be experienced one layer at a time. It’s quite amazing.
Here’s what I completed after the first day of collage class. I know, doesn’t seem like much, but there’s a lot of thinking and planning going on. Be patient. When you put down the right tissue and then begin to layer, it almost begins to glow! The subtle color changes and depth just can’t be captured in photo.
Day one of collaging
First of all, you have to control yourself. Really. Delving into a large container with a rainbow of dyed tissue is exciting and if you’re in a room of others doing the same, oohs and ahhs will fill the air, punctuated with squeals of excitement. Tell yourself less is more and harmonize without being too close in color. Choose 3-5 tissues to use. That’s it. No more. You’ll be able to add later for drama if needed.
Now, go to your sketch and transfer the basic outline to a prepared canvas. You can either go straight onto a white canvas, or add random gold and silver foil papers before you begin. These add drama and glow when the piece is done. I sketched with a brush and light brown paint the outlines of my leaves. Having the sketch be the same or nearly the same as your canvas is very helpful.
Here's my sketch, tissue selection, and canvas with foil and outlines.
First, start out in an inspiring location. We were at Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Kane’ohe and artists and tourists alike are constantly tromping around the trails and roads to snap photos and paint. You could go there everyday and never paint the same thing twice. I found an intriguing variagated Ti plant, with dark purple leaves, and some leaves with orange and green stripes.
Second, walk around your subject to see it in different lights and shapes. The shapes are really important in collage, so make sure you “see” the positive and negatives of your subject. Make a large rough sketch in pencil and fill with watercolor, or just sketch directly with watercolor.
Painting sketch includes arrow for light source.
Taking the time to sketch will save hours of time and perhaps discouragement later. Simplify, simplify. Create bold shapes and lights and darks. Keep in mind where the light is coming from, and make that consistent throughout the painting.
Stay tuned…tissue selection is next!
After years of sitting around in my computer, this painting finally came to be. The wonder of life’s seemingly simple things, like a water reflection, are captured as this sweet child holds tight to her Peony. Painted with a soft loose oil brush, printed on canvas, and framed in a beautiful silver frame.
I just finished a sweet memorial painting for a family that lost their infant daughter. It was an honor to be able to create a special memory for them that will be beautiful for years to come. Please, parents and grandparents, don’t wait until things are “just so” to get a family portrait done. First off, you don’t have to have a photo session done, a fun and happy snapshot is great. It captures you and your family being themselves. Second, a good professional photographer can gently and realistically remove any flaws that may be preventing you from having your photo done. Third, your kids or grandkids want to know that you love them just the way they are, and would love to have your photo done with them.
So, what else? I missed the deadline for an artshow that I really want to be a part of. It just slipped on by me. Luckily, the deadline is extended, so I’m getting my act together and painting the ideas that have been floating in my head the past few months. I’ll post as soon as they’re done so you can be the first to see them.
Christmas is right around the corner, and of course that means creating fun gifts and items for sale. I’ll have items at the Lanikai Craft sale and will post more detailed info as that gets closer. I’ll also be posting items that can be purchased if you live locally. I’ve brought out the old sewing machine and am on a mission to make fabric collage postcards from my “stash” of treasures. The poor kids have given up on eating at the dining table for the next few months. They’ve been gently redirected to the back patio with the chicken. Which is not all bad, since it’s mutual adoration.
Yup, that’s me, crazy lady! Why? Well, I tend to take pictures of goofy things, because I can’t remember it all and am too lazy to write it down. Like this too hip food vending wagon on the sidewalks of DC. I just had to take a photo, and the proprietor got a laugh out of me doing so. If you are on vacation, and do a double take, then take a photo. Quirky, down to reality, nitty-gritty photos are fun, great conversation starters when you show your friends, and a photo makes sure you don’t forget. Small digital cameras are great for this and I absolutely love my pink (!) Canon Sureshot. Takes movies too.
Stay tuned for more on the fabulous things in Washington DC to inspire and re-awaken the artist in us all!
“I love it, love it, love it!”
“When people come to visit us, they stop and stare at our painting. They can’t believe what you were able to do with just a snapshot.”
“I love it so much I’m going to hang it at work, not home. That way I can look at it all day.”
“Wow, it doesn’t look anything like the photo. It’s so much more than I imagined, and the kids are beautiful. Thank you.”
“Oh wow, when we hang this on our wall, we’ll have real art, not just a framed poster print.”
I was recently interviewed by Marie at the WAHM Spot. Full details and interview is here.
Don’t forget, Soft Impression Portrait sale ends in October, so I hope you’re looking for your cutest and most endearing photos to have painted. At 50% OFF, these are a steal!