No matter how hard I've tried (okay, I didn't try
that hard!) to keep my mixed-media collages on the flat side, I pretty much always end up adding some kind of dimensional objects to them! It just makes the whole piece pop a little... makes it more real... and a little more interesting!
For this mermaid piece, I needed her to have a little offering of some sort. So I cut a piece of cardstock in the shape of an oyster... and painted it with acrylics. I then brushed some Perfect Pearls Pigment Powders over top to create that cool inner-oyster sheen. I wrinkled up the edges... attached it to the collage and then glued in some freshwater pearls.
Pleased with the results, I liked the subtle way it added to the otherwise flat piece. A little dimension goes a long way!
If you're in the area, come on out and join me this weekend for the 4th annual Asbury Park, NJ OysterFest. I have lots of new goodies for sale including jewelry, kitschy holiday ornaments, greeting cards made from my original collages, Tillie-themed stuff and more! The festival is free and starts tonight! They'll be music, plenty to eat and drink, craft vendors, stuff for the kids, and tons of fun.
I'm still riding high on the creative wave I caught at the Squam Art Workshop... and I am loving every minute of it! My mind races with thoughtful ideas in multiple mediums. Jewelry... paper clay... collage... and so much more. I made a second necklace, based on several of the techniques I learned at the art retreat. I used shells found on the beaches of my home town of Ocean Grove. The focal point of the piece was this gorgeous blue oyster shell. Sidenote: the beautiful lampwork bead on the left below was given to me by Anne Lichtenstein...one of my classmates (she made it!). Thanks Anne!
I added a sea snail shell... and a compass... so I wouldn't lose my way...
And my little crabby (a gift from my mom) anchored to the rock (given to me by yet another generous classmate...Carol Belliveau. Thanks for sharing!).
My mind is running wild with even more ideas using seashells! Yay creativity. And yay for sharing, caring people!
