Recycling passions can be too much fun!
Back in the old days, BC as I call them (before children), I spent hundreds of hours with a medium format camera, black and white film and abundant curiosity. Along with, of course, a fearless approach to people, property and situations with which I had no familiarity. An avid darkroom junkie, those sessions were a lot like the ones I now spend in the studio - great music at the right (loud) volume and totally in the zone - sans the chemicals that are fairly toxic when pregnant or mothering small kids. In the early-90s Photoshop was around but the world wasn't totally digital. I preferred the pursuit, capture and printing of images - test-strip prints, dodging and burning often ten or more prints before achieving the results I'd envisioned.
A month or so ago, I began thinking about incorporating my black & white prints and art. The first photo I chose was of an old truck (loved the rust, even then!) with the word "farm" scrawled on the door. It sat on the back table for a few weeks until I realized that, although not always 'typical' photos they were still focal points and as such, I could paint and collage and glue just like always. And that the finished piece would be even more original. I'm also quite sure that many mixed-media artists use their own photography, not quite sure why it seemed revolutionary at the time, just sayin.'
A month or so ago, I began thinking about incorporating my black & white prints and art. The first photo I chose was of an old truck (loved the rust, even then!) with the word "farm" scrawled on the door. It sat on the back table for a few weeks until I realized that, although not always 'typical' photos they were still focal points and as such, I could paint and collage and glue just like always. And that the finished piece would be even more original. I'm also quite sure that many mixed-media artists use their own photography, not quite sure why it seemed revolutionary at the time, just sayin.'
I started with an 11x14 canvas, cropped out almost the entire photo and used nearly everything I could get my hands on. The frame around the word farm is a painted, stained, chipboard version of the wholey paper I use in all my projects thanks to Jane at Random Arts. Then I rummaged through old book covers, wood, rusty metal junk - including the huge nail across the bottom, my fave!! - mica, fabric and used a strip of green stamps along the right edge on one of the layers. Once I got started I had a blast.
I'm now combing through prints with lots of ideas for recycling an old passion into a new(er) one!
Comments
But you have really brought back the intimacy of the old, with your many layers that all work so well together. I'm super impressed with this piece. I love anything old, and this screams vintage to me, especially with the rusty nail and green stamps. Awesome job.