Collage art preserves memories. In
fact many say, "Art keeps memories in our hearts".
I have always
admired collage art. A few years ago, I was privilege to take an online class using artist Claudine Hellmuth's, Collage
Discovery Workshop book. This was during a time in my life, when I was too sick from dealing with several autoimmune diseases to work. Taking this class and meeting artist all over the US, was indeed therapeutic.
In Claudine's book, I learned many fascinating techniques. My favorite was assembling found objects; both old and new into one piece of
art. Basically there are two ways to collage. 1.) is by using glue to hold your objects on a flat surface, (i.e, a board, canvas or tile) and 2.) is using bees wax or encaustic.
GLUE: I personally prefer Golden’s Gel Medium, buy it id too expensive for "play days" or for teaching students. However, watered down Elmer’s glue or Mod Podge works just as well. You can always add a few coats of high quality varnish or polymer to seal your artwork when you are finished.
Beeswax or Encaustic Art: There is nothing like the smell and tactile experienced of working with rich, buttery
beeswax. It is truly an "aromatherapy" experience, especially on a cold winter day when you are longing for sunshine ... but rain or snow is what you have.
Here are a few videos on how others
create with encaustic or bees wax:
Here is another blog full of vintage encaustic collages: http://www.art-e-zine.co.uk/glendaencaustic.html
Glue collages:
These collages on tiles, were created of images
from an 1950's Alden Catalog.
These collages on tiles were created of images
from an 1950's Alden Catalog.
This collage was created using sheet music, color tissue paper,
a stamped leaf and tree bark.
a stamped leaf and tree bark.
This collage was created using vintage patterns, lace,
ribbon, tissue paper and old buttons.
ribbon, tissue paper and old buttons.
This collage was created using a copy of an vintage
photo of my Grandfather and found objects
purchased at an antique store.
This collage was created by using a vintage picture
from 1950's Alden Catalog, tissue paper, vintage
sewing patterns and stamps. (SOLD)
Bees wax Collages:
This collage was created of a vintage picture from
1950's Alden Catalog, old tissue paper,
buttons, lace and rose petals. (SOLD)
This collage was created using a vintage picture of my
Mother as a child, tissue paper, pressed flowers and a
real butterfly that I found in my garden.
Mother as a child, tissue paper, pressed flowers and a
real butterfly that I found in my garden.
This collage was created using a copy of an vintage
photo and found objects, purchased at an antique store.
This collage was created using many found objects.
