Mixed Media Symbol

No, this isn’t the instructions on using the hand sanitizer for a transfer.  I’m still working on that; however, I did use the technique in this piece.

I did this piece as a symbol of the rule or way of life to which I feel called through the Beatitudes.  Back in 2008 I joined a group at our church for a study called “Companions in Christ, A small-group experience in spiritual formation.”  It started as a 26 week study.  We finished that first one in 2008 but wanted to keep going and found that there were  several more short studies, part of the same Companions program.   Nine of us are still studying together, challenging ourselves, learning, gaining strength in our faith, questioning.  It’s a great experience, I love everyone one of my 8 other companions and look forward to beginning yet another study next Sunday.  

But before going on to the next study, the last one was on the Beatitudes and making the symbol was the final assignment.   In the study I learned that I am not nearly as well grounded in my faith as I thought I was, there is so much more room to grow.  I made this small wall hanging to hang in a place where I see it every morning when I’m getting ready for my day and every evening when as I get ready for sleep. 

I started with an image of an encaustic painting that I had done awhile back.  I transferred the image to cotton fabric using the hand sanitizer.   I quilted that piece, attached it to a piece of ultra suede which I attached to a piece of lutradur that I had been experimenting with, then a piece of unbleached muslin and finally another quilted piece that I had in my stash of stuff that I didn’t know what I was going to do with.  The words were added under the window… “Window Open, Mind Open, Searching, Creating, Praying.”  These are the things I need to remember, to concentrate on. Searching or learning is represented by the trellis which I’ve made into a ladder.  I’ve put some breaks in it to remind me that falling is ok, I can get back up and there are some places that it would be difficult to step on to remind me that I can keep going even if the road is bumpy.  The last piece I added is a charm dangling on the side, a fish, a reminder that He is always with me.

Now I’m looking forward to the next study, this time we’re moving away from the Companions Series, doing “Invitation to the Psalms.”  I’ll also be working on the instructions for the transfer technique.

A Pastel and how to transfer

I lead a creativity class at my church.  Every week I invite an artist friend to come in and share a technique with the class.  This week it was a pastelist friend and pastel is a medium that I have avoided... I don't like the feel of the pastel on my hands and I don't like wearing gloves.  Oh well, if my students had to do it, I did too.  this is my result.  I'm not unhappy with it and I may even try another one sometime.  It may not be done, I need to look at it again next week.  Once done it will become part of my Sacred Spaces series.

Last week I posted some transfers and that prompted some questions about how I do it... it's really so very easy as long as you can get the right photo paper.  I haven't been able to find it to replenish my supply but you may have better luck.  Print your photo on high gloss JetPrintPhoto Premium Photo Paper by International Paper.  I print on a HP deskjet 5150, any ink jet printer will work.  If it's important that the image not be reversed, reverse it before you print on the photo paper.   You can trim the photo so you will know where you are setting it down but do leave some white at least along two sides so you can lift to see how the image is taking without losing the position.   In addition to the photo paper you'll need an old credit card and a spray bottle of water.  The spray bottle should spray a very fine mist, not big spots of water.  Oh yes, and you'll need a piece of paper to print your image on...

Ready?  Next step.... slightly spray the paper you're going to put the image on.  Now spray your photo... don't get it too wet or the ink will begin to run too soon... just a fine mist over everything you want to transfer.  Once it's wet, lay it face down on your paper, rub it with your hand to make the connection and then take the credit card and begin to pull it over the piece.  After a few strokes back and forth over the image lift one side while you hold the other side in place... if you want more of the image transferred,  give a squirt, lay the photo back down and rub some more.  Next time, lift the other side and see how it's doing.  Repeat until you're satisfied.  You can get a perfect image if you like but I like leaving a few spots on mine... just because I like the look.

More postcards

The first one is the painting... it's 10 1/2 x 7 inches.  The second one is the postcard, an image transfer that has been embellished and coated with encaustic finish... resulting in different colors and a different look... it's 6 x 4 inches.  And two more postcards round out this weeks work....  Both of these are transfers from my paintings that have been embellished before adding the encaustic finish. 

The postcards will go to the Muskegon Museum of Art for it's Annual Postcard Salon Fundraiser.  They'll be available for sale there for $30 each.  The painting is available matted with a 3" mat for $95. 

Another old photo

I missed a week. Twenty lashes... but I did finish a piece that week and another for this week. I still need to scan one of them but here is last weeks. Another old photo. I have no idea who it is but I did recognize that it was in the back yard of my mother's family cottage so it must have been a friend of either her or her sister... I had fun with it anyway. I'll be back later in the week, after I've scanned or photographed the painting.

Another photo transfer

I'm late this week... posting last week's work. I did another photo transfer and more experimenting with the technique. This time in addition to using a stamp under the paper to to get the image, I also stamped on it, but first I transfered an old letter... it's backwards because I didn't think to reverse it before I printed it but it's not readable anyway and it's an experiment so I went ahead with it anyway. I also used stencils, colored pencil, oil pastels and ink. The photo is my mother's group of friends... who remained friends all their lives.