Who Are Your Stars?

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” - Marcus Aurelius

Returning to my prayer flag series seems especially timely. Viewing the events of the last few days has been emotionally exhausting. But a quiet place to reflect and dwell on the beauty around us is always found when I begin any art project. For my next flag I selected the Eternal Knot from the Artistcellar Tibet Series.

The interlacing design of the knot is found in many cultures. It represents the concept of duality and the search for the interweaving of qualities of wisdom and empathy, as well as femininity and masculinity. The ultimate objective is to acquire the necessary stability to allow us a clearer path to enlightenment knowing that in this life we are all connected.

I couldn’t wait to start the project. This time I decided to use a heavier 100% cotton duck fabric. I wasn’t sure if the acrylics would work, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the results. The colours are vibrant and blend as I intended. The heavier weight also made the flag easier to adhere to the card I sprayed with adhesive.

To compliment the Knot I selected the Shooting Stars and Celestial stencils from the Artistcellar Arabian Nights series. What could be more inspiring than observing the sky at night? Working with various shades of blue and green, colours traditionally representing unity and balance, I enveloped the shooting stars with a grand cosmic blanket. The flag was finished with a selection of multicoloured Halftone Dots and Diamonds. As in life, it’s the compliment of colours that unites and enhances the entire composition.

I, as well as many of my friends, have experienced great dismay at the world events surrounding us. Sometimes we opt to step back as a way to make sense of the insanity. But there are moments when we need to make our voices heard. Beauty in life includes thoughts and actions. I choose to focus on the people who in my mind are the stars. They are the brave that shine. They speak their mind with wisdom and empathy. They are the stars I aspire to run with.

MATERIALS USED:

• ARTISTCELLAR: TIBET SERIES STENCIL (Eternal Knot), HALFTONE DOTS (Highlight, Midtone, Midtone 2, Shadow), ARABIAN NIGHTS SERIES STENCILS (Celestial, Shooting Stars)
• HAND CUT STENCIL: Diamonds
• BLEACHED 7 OZ. 100% COTTON DUCK FABRIC – WHITE
• BEST TEST REPOSITIONAL ADHESIVE                                                                
• CARDBOARD
• PLAID ACRYLICS: Blue Sapphire, Amethyst, Blue Pearl, Pure Orange, Sunflower, Aquamarine, Plum, Bright Red
• DECOART: Splendid Gold, Sea Glass, Teal, Desert Turquoise
• DINA WAKLEY: Lime, Lapis, Ocean, Sky, Blushing, Ruby, Cheddar
• REEVES: Gold, Bronze, Rose Red

Restoring the Balance...

“Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot”
“Big Yellow Taxi” - Joni Mitchell

Why is that song stuck in my head? Like me, have you ever wondered how a fragment of a melody started what seems like a never-ending loop in your brain?  Did a memory trigger the earworm? Perhaps it was a date? I started working on my latest collage on Earth Day…so it’s no wonder Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” became my musical imagery repetition inspiration.

And here my collage begins. I love my Strathmore Visual Journal. The spiral binding allows me to place the book flat on my work surface. This makes experimenting on the page easy. There’s no holding back a cover or other pages getting in the way.  It’s such a time saver, especially when working entirely conventionally.

The collage began with a discarded page from a dictionary I found in my box of unbound books pages.  I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw the listing included the word “taxi”.  I attached the page to the Journal using matte medium…a quick coat to the paper and back of the dictionary page.

When dried, I started the work from the outside in. I painted the border of the page with Dina Wakley Lemon heavy body acrylic paint. For the center I mixed Dina Wakley Ruby and Lemon and created a glaze using the Golden Glazing Fluid. It’s a great product. The Fluid allows you to hold vibrant colour, yet produce a lovey transparent effect.

Now it was time for the part I love best…the stenciling. I started with the Artistcellar Blocks Series-Open Work which mirrored the checker board pattern on the taxi perfectly. I wanted an organic shape to compliment the patterns I created on the page. Artistcellar Playful Pod’s Petite Pods fit the bill. It complimented the design just as I had hoped.

I’ve rediscovered how much I enjoy using Dylusion Sprays. I have to admit Bubble Gum Pink is my favourite. The pop of colour is exciting, especially as the hue stays true…no fading when dry.

All that was left was to add the ephemera and texture techniques. It’s been fun working with Seth Apter’s “low-tech” materials. In this piece I created the textured lines with corrugated board and gesso. I had a piece of anaglypta wallpaper. The flower pattern worked well with the gesso technique…subtle but effective. I even added a few words from transfer lettering I had in my collection. From a selection of old newspapers I found the headline: "Restoring the Balance". Perfect.

As collage and mixed media artists we embrace the mantra of reuse and recycle.  For us everything old is new again. In our work, our life, the environment: Aren’t we all trying to restore the balance? And often balance is not perfection. “Give me spots on my apples, But leave me the birds and the bees.” Let’s hope it’s not too late.

MATERIALS USED:

• ARTISTCELLAR Stencils: PLAYFUL PODS (Petite Pods), BLOCKS SERIES (Open Work)
• Liquitex Matte Medium
• Liquitex Gesso
• Golden Glazing Fluid
• Avery Glue Stic
• DecoArt Peacock Pearl
• Plaid: Aquamarine
• Dina Wakley: Ruby, Lemon, Lime
• Dylusion Spray: Bubble Gum Pink
• Post It Notes
• Natural Spong
• Paper Towels
• Corrugated Board
• Anaglypta Wallpaper
• Strathmore Mixed Media Journal 90 lb 5.5” x 8.5
• Vintage Papers and Images