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| One huge book of wallpaper samples on my dining room table |
The next day, I used a ruler to tear out a beautiful beige 8x11 piece. In my kitchen I coated the paper with acrylic medium and set it on the deck to dry. Whoops--it's raining. I ran out and brought it inside--no harm done. It was off to the workshop to paint. Paint what? I spotted an old yearbook and picked a faded photo. I painted; then I hated the beige background with the skin color, so I covered it with black. Next, I coated the back of the painting with acrylic medium; then I glued it to a piece of mat board. That's when I began to wonder why I hadn't just used one of my primed canvases or panels; after all, I had completely covered the background--my whole reason for using wallpaper! I could have saved several days.
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| And it's not a good portrait! |
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| She looks better tightly cropped. |
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| So-------need any wallpaper sample books? |
It was a wasted week but fun and I'll try it again. I think I've defined the problem--I picked up 13 heavy books on the 13th of the month. I usually don't leave the house on that date.
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You are brilliant! I've keep seeing those wall paper books at thrift shops and have never thought to use them for backgrounds!
ReplyDelete13+1=weighed down. Have fun Hallie.
I think you are having TOO much fun, Hallie. I like both of your 'experiments' and don't think it's a waste that you cannot see the beige paper - you obviously learned something in the process, and that's always a success in my book.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of books, all your glueing and using acrylic medium has me thinking that a natural transition with these 13 books of opportunity could be towards collage. Just a thought...
-Don
Fantastic idea Hallie! And look at them all ... major score! i can instantly see the appeal and the creative possibilities (i collaged some embossed wallpaper into a few oil paintings once and was quite excited by the outcome).
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the work you post over coming weeks.
Interesting adventure! I have ripped up some encyclopedias and have many pages, yet to use them - I have various other backings I've collected, but cannot even get myself set up to paint on canvas. So I can relate.
ReplyDeleteOnline the black background with the beige showing all 'round looks mighty good to me. I don't know what you mean by "not a good portrait." If it's likeness you are talking about, likeness matters not one wit if she has character, and she does.
I like the little piece on blue too.
Hi Carole. I think you must have inherited the "collector's gene" also.
ReplyDeleteHi Don. I have a workshop full of "opportunities" which doesn't leave a lot of room for actually working. I don't know about collage--I look at them and find them interesting. But, I always think the same look could have been achieved with just paint. I might change my mind and play with scissors and glue one day.
Harry--welcome back. One of the books does contain embossed pages and I thought "I could ink that and do some printing." My mind runs in too many directions. This is a major score--I can always use them when I need a heavy weight to hold something in place.
ReplyDeleteHi Dan. I have decided that my calling in life is to serve as an example of what not to do. I have dictionary pages--I took one apart and actually ironed the pages 4 or 5 years ago. I used one page for a pastel drawing and labeled it "A"--even matted and framed it. I have not gotten to "B" yet. Yes, I did want a likeness--she was a dreaded but great teacher (not one of mine) back in the late 50's. I might try it again.
Didn't know they just throw those away!! How clever of you to think to use them. You'll get the hang of it and use them in ways you want - but you have to play and figure things out first. So many possibilities!!
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda. I was surprised that these are pitched--they'd be great for art in elementary schools. My workshop is so full of possibilities and intentions that I told my husband I need to buy a house to use as a studio (one of the vacant ones in town). I'd fill it in no time flat. Thanks for posting the good news about Pokey.
ReplyDeleteShe looks like Jonathan Winters Maude Frickert.
ReplyDeleteEverette T. McGill.
Everette--I thought the same thing (and it's downright scary to think we might be of similar minds). I do love Jonathan Winters and he's quite an artist--I have two copies of his book "Hang Ups.
ReplyDeleteI love the portrait paintings, who cares how they started out. I also think collage comes to mind with all those interesting papers. I used to be into making artist trading cards, those papers would have been a real bonus. You are so funny, the way your inspiration comes is priceless!
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin. I was following when you made artist trading cards. You were the reason I ordered supplies--the cards, the mats, and the envelopes. I made one (1)for my neighbor who had knee surgery earlier this year. I drew a "knee vase" filled with local wild flowers; matted, framed, and signed it. (I should have posted it.) It's No. 1 of that series; there's been no No. 2. I keep the blank cards and some colored pencils in my car just in case I get stuck someplace and need to draw. I like to be prepared.
ReplyDeleteOne of those creative thoughts struck again about an hour ago. The huge wallpaper book that's still on the table would make a great journal--I wouldn't misplace it. (I guess it couldn't be a secret journal.)
Such a funny person. I've given thought to those sample books myself, just never followed through. I'm a procrastinator, the worst. Loved that German ladys portrait.
ReplyDeleteas soon as I started reading this I thought...hallie is going to paint in wallpaper books! LOL...I remember your wonderful paintings in magazines. Your first two paintings are COOL. I want to see more!
ReplyDeleteoops...! I wasn't signed out of my other account for the last comment...well you know that was me, right?
ReplyDeletePersonally, I love the portrait! You did that lady beautifully!
ReplyDeleteHi Sue. I don't know if I'm a procrastinator or just naturally slow moving.
ReplyDeletePPASP (Celeste)--thanks. I think there's a freedom in using cast-offs. Last night, I got out my big box of Crayolas to color in my big book of wallpaper samples. It didn't work--paper too slippery--I found a purple china marker and moved on to the next page (better results).
Thank you AutumnLeaves. I suspect you're always trying new things, too.
ReplyDeleteLOL. You are just like me when someone gives away something, I take all they will give me. We used to use those sample books for all sorts of projects. Mostly collage. Then wallpaper went out of fashion for awhile in Atlanta. Everyone was into faux wall painting. It is hard to find wallpaper here now.
ReplyDeleteHi Eva. I have not seen wallpaper on walls in many years. I was actually surprised to see the books at Sherwin Williams--some of the pages are like paintings; others textured like reptile skin--fun to browse.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to bring home these sample books when I was a wee one...I adored the patterns and had endless hours of experimentation...at the art center here I watch the same fascination happen for the kids when they discover the donated albums of samples in the studio...there's something so delicious about all those pages of possibility.
ReplyDeleteMy house number is 1313...I have a great love for all things 13.
Hi Donna. Pages and Pages--a bit of weight-lifting, too. 1313 would be okay--it adds up to 8, a good number. I have too many 4s in my life.
ReplyDeleteI was just visiting your blog--reading tonight's and re-reading the previous one. Lots to think about; I haven't commented yet. I'll re-visit--I will say "Beautiful paintings."
Hallie, your experimental nature is just wonderful. Great piece, even if you wondered why you took that approach.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of using the wallpaper book to do collage and paint on that? Great fun and I bought a piece at an art show done by a wonderful artist and friend that is all collage and just wonderful. It hangs in my home.
Hi Mary. So far, I've just browsed through the books--almost as good as looking at paintings in art books.
ReplyDelete