I found this bunch of old photos, some from the 1920's and 30's, a few from the 50's in a thrift shop. Each photo is marked at least $1 but I bought the bunch for $5. I like to use the actual photo in the collage, not a photo copy.
The theme for this one is the wild west. The background paper is a stock sheet from the railroad. I thought the baby looked like he was wearing a cowboy hat.
Rose petals. I've never used them with wax before so don't know how they will look waxed up.
Friendship is the theme of this one.
I will glue the collages onto these pre-stretched canvases using both wax and glue.
I just lay out a whole bunch of papers, pictures and objects and let them sit for a few days to see if they gel. I move things around and play. Even after I arrive at a final arrangement it never looks the same when I glue it up.
Seaside theme.
Paris
Closeup of the photo for Paris and piece of a post card showing Notre Dame. Of course this little girl is from the US but let's pretend she is from France. I still need the crock pot to melt the wax and then I can start making them.
I found this bunch of old photos, some from the 1920's and 30's, a few from the 50's in a thrift shop. Each photo is marked at least $1 but I bought the bunch for $5. I like to use the actual photo in the collage, not a photo copy.
The theme for this one is the wild west. The background paper is a stock sheet from the railroad. I thought the baby looked like he was wearing a cowboy hat.
Rose petals. I've never used them with wax before so don't know how they will look waxed up.
Friendship is the theme of this one.
I will glue the collages onto these pre-stretched canvases using both wax and glue.
I just lay out a whole bunch of papers, pictures and objects and let them sit for a few days to see if they gel. I move things around and play. Even after I arrive at a final arrangement it never looks the same when I glue it up.
Seaside theme.
Paris
Closeup of the photo for Paris and piece of a post card showing Notre Dame. Of course this little girl is from the US but let's pretend she is from France. I still need the crock pot to melt the wax and then I can start making them.
18 comments:
These will be wonderful collages.
I have no idea about how to do this wax thing.....
These will be great Suki. I hope the rose petals turn out well with the wax. What a great thrift shop you have, with these photo treasures to be found!
Britt-arnhild, I will try to show the wax process once I get started.
Patti thanks. I think it was pure luck to find this bunch in a Cape Cod thrift shop. However, Swirl, up here where I am now, sells individual old photos for a dollar a piece. So, another good resource.
Suki, this is a very exciting project, I'm looking forward to see what you'll create with all this. I just love the last composition:) with the Nôtre Dame detail and the little girl from France:)
These will be emotion-collages, bringing people from the past and strangers and strange places nearer to us. I love that idea.
I read your comments to Katie Jane about her creativity rut and oh how your words reached out and touched me !!!!!
I've seen you around on other blogs and am embarassed to admit that today is the first time I've come to your blog, boy have I been missing out.
The minute I get a break from the day job here, I'll be back soaking up everything on your blog.
Suki! These look incredible! I love your compositions and can't wait to see the waxing process...it sounds complicated, but perfect for getting this antique look, too.
Oh Suki...you are at it again! So inspirational.
Paula, you are in for a real treat!
Hi Suki,
Nice combinations of imagery for each collage. Old photos of people, some who may be gone by now... resurrected in your artwork... if they only knew. Wonderful themes that people can identify with.
Hi Andrea. Yes, I think they are personal in that way. Even though I dont know these people. I collect old post cards and have a little book with old B&W Paris post cards. Somewhere. I love to do Paris collages.
Paula, welcome. Don't be embarrassed . There are zillions of blogs out there and so little time. I'll check out yr blog too soon.
Kim well actually once you get the equipment, crock pot, cheap paint brushes, beeswax, it isnt complicated. Although if you do true encaustic that is more complicated. I try to remember to photograph the steps for one.
Chewy, its interesting that these photos are even out there in thrift stores. Where do they come from. Why did the family give them up? So many questions arise. So many life stories to be explored.
These look awesome. They will make wonderful collages. Boy are you inspired. Nice to get your own stuff into your work room to get you thinking and doing more isnt it?. That and nicer weather. Lol
I cant wait to see them in progress and done.
By the way have the baby birds flown the nest yet>
Cris those baby birds are still up there. I wasn't sure as they weren't peeping so I got a ladder and peeked. Yep. Fat fellows too. But I want to open my back studio door and let in light and sun. When will they fly away???????
These promise to be brilliant, Suki.
What a find those photos were! And your concepts are lyrical. Can't wait to see the finished collages, but I know that part of the process is letting them "gel," as you say. Can't rush the jam into the jars, hungry as we are for a taste.
Hi San. Yes, the photos are great. Makes me wonder where my own family photos will end up some day.
My back tells me when I'm pushing it. Then time to stop and do some yoga and rest. Did more moving around of collage elements tonight. be well, Suki
Suki, I know taking photos along the way is brutally difficult to do when you are in the flow of working. If you can't do this, I completely understand and would be very happy with your oral description, too. It is quite fascinating to contemplate how you do this.
Thanks Suki!
Suki, I love these collages. This is something I'm drawn to. I haven't quite mastered the art to the point that it LOOKS like art instead of a big mess, but yours are inspirational.
I'll tell you where old pictures come from. When my husband's mother died, she left behind a ton of old photos that his dad took of all the family. We all sorted through them, took the ones we wanted and gave the rest to the antique store in town. Most often, they come that way through estate sales. They usually cost $1 a piece here too. You did well. I can't wait to see the finished work. I'm not familiar with the wax process either.
Kim, I am gearing up to begin today and will have camera at the ready. I purchased a cheap crock pot y'day and melted some cheese, ooops I mean wax to ensure it works and it does.
Katie Jane, I guess that's the best venue for old photos. If a family takes lots and lots the relatives can't keep them all. My mom has very few photos from her chaotic childhood so each one is a special treasure to me. Dad had a moderate amount. I have only a small amount too. However, digital photos I take tons of but they are then deleted when I am done using them, most of them. So maybe old photos will get rarer and rarer. Oh, good to know it's $1 per photo there too. Still, seems pricey for the tiny ones.
your collages fill our hearts
with joy
and our minds
with insight...
telling us that
each one of us are worthy
and everything has got a purpose
in the collage of the cosmos..
namaste!
Oh.......so much to do and so little time! When I see this I want to try something like this also, but time is the problem......
I wonder how the wax will turn out. I see in just a moment in the post above :)
But I already know it will be just beautiful!
Oh human being. Thank you for the lovely poem. "Each one of us are worthy." If i can say that in my art then I feel I will have done much.
Marianne, it is true. There are more ideas than time. For example I want to try felting, but when???? Do I scatter myself too much. Should I focus on one thing? ????????????????
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