I'm sawing this barn board into small segments to use as supports for some collages. On my first attempt at sawing I held the wood
thusly. I thought it would be easier at this shorter edge however it took me a very long time and the board kept moving around.
I then placed the board in a vise and sawed through it in this direction. This went better till I got half way through and then the saw seemed not to cut anymore. So I turned the wood around and came at it from the other direction. This too took a long time.
But finally, voila. This is the idea. I will use wax coating on one and see how it looks. I thought this would be cheaper than buying a bunch of
prestretched canvases. I have around 12 of these small collages left over from some greeting cards I made. The second woman from the left is my Grandma. The fourth from the left is her mom. I think the other's are Gram's sisters.
A 9x12 canvas I stretched to paint my muse. I didn't like my first draft so I painted over it. It was a three headed muse. Then I sketched in a new idea.
Using acrylics so they dry quickly and I can do a number of drafts throughout the day. However, the paints seem gloppy and aren't flowing well. Maybe they just seems gloppy in comparison to the oils I have recently be using. Note that her feet are cut off. I have read that this is not a good image, a person with the feet cut off.
I thought she'd have a headdress but it doesn't look right. Also I have the backpack straps wrong. They should go under the armpit. I moved the skirt line up so I had room to paint her feet.
Here she is at the moment. I will do some more today.
I'm sawing this barn board into small segments to use as supports for some collages. On my first attempt at sawing I held the wood thusly. I thought it would be easier at this shorter edge however it took me a very long time and the board kept moving around.
I then placed the board in a vise and sawed through it in this direction. This went better till I got half way through and then the saw seemed not to cut anymore. So I turned the wood around and came at it from the other direction. This too took a long time.
But finally, voila. This is the idea. I will use wax coating on one and see how it looks. I thought this would be cheaper than buying a bunch of prestretched canvases. I have around 12 of these small collages left over from some greeting cards I made. The second woman from the left is my Grandma. The fourth from the left is her mom. I think the other's are Gram's sisters.
A 9x12 canvas I stretched to paint my muse. I didn't like my first draft so I painted over it. It was a three headed muse. Then I sketched in a new idea.
Using acrylics so they dry quickly and I can do a number of drafts throughout the day. However, the paints seem gloppy and aren't flowing well. Maybe they just seems gloppy in comparison to the oils I have recently be using. Note that her feet are cut off. I have read that this is not a good image, a person with the feet cut off. 
I thought she'd have a headdress but it doesn't look right. Also I have the backpack straps wrong. They should go under the armpit. I moved the skirt line up so I had room to paint her feet.
Here she is at the moment. I will do some more today.
23 comments:
Muse is coming along well. I like that she is a traveler. I think mine is a gypsy, complete with bangles, bells and tambourine.
Suki, I just looked at your Picasa site and your ATC's. Wow, you have been busy. I love them all. I want to work on some this weekend, myself, but now I have a flu-ish bug, so I hope I feel up to it.
Katie Jane, so sorry you are feeling unwell. Rest rest and drink plenty of water. Dr. Suki says so. Thanks for your comment on the ATC's. They are such fun to make. Take care, dream about your gypsy.
Hi Suki!
Love the wood with the collage! A beautiful combination.
The muse iss coming alive, I always enjoy seeing your paintings and art unfold.
Have a nice sunday!
love >M<
Suki...your muse is really wonderful...I love her. I don't think my muse would be recognizable. LOL
And sawing! You are brave. I am not sure I would have taken that on. That being said, I think the collages are going to look incredible on this barn board.
You keep going, Suki...I think you are on a roll!
Thanks
The muse is getting better and better. I keep going over some of my new pieces, sometimes it just does not happen the first time around. It is great when it does, but often time it is the painting I have worked with, over and over that turn ot the best.
Thanks Marianne. Barn board is such wonderful stuff. my folks paneled the walls of the old farmhouse with it as there were about 4 barns on this property, most of which had to be torn down.
Kim, the sawing is really good for me as I think I'm getting out some aggressive emotions with the struggle to cut through the wood. It'd be okay to have an "unrecognizable" muse wouldnt it? It'd be fun to see.
Annie thanks for telling me about your paintings. For me, I rarely get a painting done with one try although I have done maybe a couple like that, sort of Zen like. This time though i seem to be struggling with the quality of the paint or maybe it is the canvas that is so rough that the paint is not working as I'd like.
Suki, I like your new photo :-),
I have a little award for you over on my blog.
that barn board is great! the beautiful collage looks fabulous on it...
Suki, poet, artist, kindred,
'Tis always such a refreshing sight to come upon your blog and peer over the shoulder of the artist, the dreamer, the musing one. Your world pollinates my creative side. My Rachel creates continuously. Sculpy is her steady companion these days. I have critters, creatures, foods, and frights (a halloween theme -- where'd that come from, we never even celebrate that holiday?) litter my countertops, adorn bookshelves, and delight each one of us sharing her "gallery." I see that same consuming love of creativity in you. Your works-in-progress display fascinates me. Thanks for sharing. : )
Ok before I read the others comments I want to put down my thoughts when I saw the painting.
This could be you at the different paths you could take. You have your books, brushes and art supplies in your backpack. Your necessities. :)
I never get my paintings done in one sitting. it isnt possible with oils. Looks like you are having fun here. I am liking the muse painting and look forward to how it progresses.
BTW, are you using the inside studio yet?
btw Suki, thannks for the earthship link. Just like the library I didn´t know about this!
It was interesting. Zwolle is far away from here...... I still wannt to visit that library in Maastricht, who knows some day......and maaaybe Zwolle too.
hug >M<
Annie I just took that photo outdoors y'day. Thanks. I'll check out your blog shortly.
thanks Natalya.
Hi Debbie, thanks for your kind words. For my part, I think being creative keeps me sane or as sane as it is possible for me to be. I love sculpy. Rachel is a miracle. How wonderful she loves to make her little sculptures and that you are the kind of Mom who appreciates her talent and creations.
Cris, for the "wet" work such as painting and wax collages I am using the outdoor in the workshop studio for now. Otherwise I work inside. I was disappointed my muse was facing away from the houses however I am now thinking those are the houses she could have bought but didnt and the path she is now on will lead her to her new home. I have changed the path some, you will see when I post the next stage. Thanks for those thoughts about the paths. I also think the pathways look sort of like a tree.
Marianne, I don't know why I think the Netherlands is a small place. I should check a map I think. Be well, Suki
I like the last version of the painting very much, she has a wonderful expression on her face! The idea with the wood behind the collage is very good, too! It adds a rustic and country-like touch to it!
I wish you a peaceful and creative day!
Suki, Great muse...she is evolving! The best thing about acrylic is the drying time...making changes fast is so helpful but oils flow like butter...tough choice. Keep us posted!
Mary Ann
ps I like that you included her feet too.
ohhh... the wood behind the collage looks lovely. I can't wait to see it with the wax!
Claudia, I like that expression too. What I dont so much like is that she is so thin and waiflike. I hope to wax one of the collages tomorrow to see how the dark wood looks with wax. Hard to know till I try it although guess I could just try it on a wood sample first.
Mary Ann, the feet were a must, otherwise I'm depicting someone who is stuck. Today I added some more symbols to the painting, plus some gold glazing and some mountains behind the houses. I felt I was really flowing in an intuitive way today, even though at the beginning it didnt feel so.
Honor thanks for your delight in the old wood. soon I will have the first attempt to show.
Hi - just got back from fla and I like your new picture. Love the barnboard idea, I think it's going to be a wonderful background.
Oh my goodness. I go away for a day, am out resting, and you PRODUCE like there is no tomorrow.
I LOVE the grandmother and great grandmother photo on the wonderful piece of wood! "Rememberance"! Fits for me today sitting with 89 yr old aunt and uncle, and cousins talking about life/family history/family art...
The small pieces are delightful to see, all those small details that embellish them.
You on your path, paths, looking young, full of hope, coming away from those paths or going towards? Chooing one? Or a few? Such a fist full of paint brushes, huge brushes, promise of many paintings to come. Books...learnings, writings? Past, present, future?
All of the above?
Lots here. You are so very creative Suki. I admire you.
PS. Do be careful with the saw while sawing through your emotions!
Mim, thanks for stopping by between your trips. Thanks for your thoughts.
Lynn, am very careful with the saw. Plus I saw so slowly and stop and rest often. I do wonder about those guys who used to cut down trees and then saw the wood into cordwood for burning. Gosh, what energy and strength they needed. I am just trying to finish up some projects that have lain unfinished for awhile.
i just adore what you're doing here, the sawn wood (who took the first picture?) and the photo of gram etc...it's fantastic. where will you put it? as for your painting, it's lovely.look after yourself.
i keep returning to the first photo showing your right hand and you sawing with your left. i like your hands -a lot- i have a 'thing' about nice hands....yours are nice.
Soulbrush, I took the photo of my hands sawing with the self-timer which gives you ten seconds before the picture clicks. I am left handed. Although if you saw me with scissors I'd be using my right hand. I don't know what I'll do with these little collage/barn board things. I should have about 6 of them when done. I have to say though this sawing is hard and going very slowly. My arm aches. thanks for the comment about my hands. I forgot until now, but back in collage a librarian told me I could be a hand model. Tee hee.
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