Collage from a Box - Finally

I posted this photo a few weeks ago, my selections from the collage box, another fabulous project from Lawendula at Woven Letters. Aside from a challenge in 2008 by Jane at Random Arts I don't recall ever taking specific ingredients and making a collage with them.
The rule for Collage Box was that all pieces didn't have to be used (phew, though I only left out a couple of papers) and other elements could be added.



I decided to use a 9x12 canvas board and started by layering every shade of brown and dark yellow I have, which is about 10 - 12 shades from burnt umber to ochre to bronze Lumiere. As I started pasting a few things down, adding some old newsprint, tissue paper and rub-ons, I realized I had no clue what I wanted to do. The next two photos were taken with my phone, which is good, but not great. I love the way everything is distorted at the top:)



I began to commit, pasting down a little house I drew on newsprint and a couple other paper scraps, but mostly sticking to my assignment. It was then that I realized that while I had chosen pieces complementary in color, the themes couldn't be more different - bingo cards, African totem-like pieces, a clown, heart, a swatch of French architectural wrapping paper and old, tiny film strip. Then I realized that it isn't any different from starting a new background with a rainbow of colors to choose from. So I loosened up and started placing and gluing.



Backgrounds are my favorite and while I wanted the elements to show through (a few did get buried) I still wanted more variation and texture. I pasted on a strip of lace trim and tissue paper and the piece of wholey paper that goes into every project I make, then more washes of color - quinacrinidone nickel azo gold, sepia, titanium buff to lighten up a few spots. Then I continued gluing and looked for my focal point. I'd started with the owl but the color, faded but rich nonetheless on the card was more inspiring. And what do clowns have? Balloons. Vintage buttons and wire and yes, I was ready, laid it on the scanner and when the image popped up I saw two eyes looking back at me. Funny how different viewpoint changes everything.



So I popped another button on and I think I solved that problem...

Comments

Caterina Giglio said…
ooooh I love the face within a face, and the peeling green paint below is fabulous!!
Joanie Hoffman said…
This is gorgeous! I love the look of the background. Were you with Box #1 or #2? I was with Box #2.
This was a really good challenge.
Happy Wednesday,
Joanie
Love it- so whimsical and fun! the button face is too cool!
lori vliegen said…
your collage panel is fabulous! i could just live in those background colors.....so warm and wonderful! thanks for taking us through your process!

and thanks, too, for stopping by my blog and saying hello.....great to meet you!! happy weekend! :))
This is super amazing. I love how the background changed over time and how you documented it each step of the way. Although I know that is hard (and time consuming) to do, it is so fun to see the progression of a piece, especially one as pretty as this.
Contessa Kris said…
I love love love all the layering you do! I need to do more. I always hate having an image almost complete concealed. Seems like a waste but it does help the overall effect to see bits and pieces here and there. Love it.
Karin Bartimole said…
Ha - I saw the eye's, too - before I read your observation I was thinking how cool it was that these buttons had such strong peering out qualities to them. I think it's the eye lid quality of the green one :) your backgrounds are always very rich and textured, and this is definitely no exception - I really love the bingo card and other semi hidden elements...

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