Art Retreat Part 2

My finished, final collage from Friday's class

Gary made this in the "If The Shoe Fits" class on Friday

Incredible work

My cover, not complete yet

First few pages of my book

One of Seth's sample Books

Pages in Seth's book

Pages in Seth's book, my fingers

Cover to Sue's book, my table mate

One of Toni's books

Toni and Seth

The second book Toni was working on

Toni returning to her collage because she is an "auditioner". We love her anyway.

Seth explaining something while we work

We had tons of demos. Loved it!

One of Sue's pages

Another of Sue's pages

On Friday we had an all day class on Collage. There are 10 principles to making a collage, and we worked through that list until lunch. Seth would explain a principle, show us 2 examples he made, then send us back to make our own. I have mine in a pocket of my Dylusions journal, and when things settle down, will pull them out and use each sample to remind me of what makes a pleasing collage. Not good, not great, but more balanced and appealing to the eye.

We also learned how to make our own painted paper with monoprinting. This was using 2 pieces of canvas paper, not a gel plate. I like this technique, and have used it before. One more trick in the arsenal of artistic endeavors.

On Saturday we started our Book of Moments. I say started because I know no one in class finished. Seth warned us that if we made the binding to hold more than 8 or 9 pages, it would not be complete. Mine was made to hold only 8, and I went back to the motel after dinner and worked for 2 hours. STILL not finished, although all of the pages are added. The basis of your book are book covers from an old book. On my front cover, I did adhere the piece of book text with the stamp "choice" on it. One of Seth's stamps that I purchased. But I have metal to add, and still trying to find brads long enough to go thru the book cover. I may end up punching additional holes and using wire, another method that Seth demonstrated in class.

Picked up another tip in this class. I have used E6000 as the go-to glue for heavy objects for years. Stuff will not fall off. E6000, however, is toxic and smells horrible. It also needs overnight to set and cure. Seth uses Aileen's Fusion glue, and has never had a piece of metal fall off. It is non-toxic. I plan on stopping at Michael's and getting a bottle today. Good to know.

I now wish I had stayed for the 52 card pick up class on Sunday. The classes were packed with little tidbits of information to help you with your various art projects. And the talent in that room. Blew my mind.

On the difference between a "commiter" and an "auditioner": when creating a collage or any piece of art work, there are those that made a decision and place the object on the canvas, or make that paint stroke, whatever. Then move on. THAT is a "commiter", or one who is committed to their art, knowing that it can always be changed. I became that from the very first collage sample in Friday's class. An "auditoner" is one who is fussy, placing pieces down, picking them up, holding the paint brush, afraid that it won't be perfect. So the lesson is this: the faster you work, the better you get at being a commiter and the more your skills will grow. Try it. You can always change something. You can always get to the end, decide you hate it, and cover it with something else. JUST DO IT!!! Layers are a good thing.
Go be creative.
Linda