Making Magic out of Junk

I joke that I had to become a Mixed Media Assemblage Artist so I could continue to justify collecting junk.  But the reality is that I am inspired by junk, both the sublime and the tacky.  The school book from 1950 that has the inscription of 5 different students all written in shaky childhood beauty.  But also the once loved doll at the goodwill with her fake yellow hair  and her atrocious outfit complete with hand painted snowman.

(beautifully tacky doll before transformation)

There is catharsis and liberation in  deconstruction. Aka it is a lot of fun to tear the hair off of a tacky doll.  Then the magic begins. The transformative powers of paint with a side of fire…

A little video showing the paint and fire technique

After tearing the doll apart and setting her on fire, then comes the fun of adding  paint washes and  diluted walnut ink over the body and face.

(Tacky doll being reborn, midway through the process)

My style of working is not heavy on the precise and the tidy. I really love the look of distressed and grungy.  I love the happy accidents they tend to give a piece of artwork more life.

After the paint washes then comes painting the face.  I can get lost in painting a face for hours. Most of my dolls tend towards “realistic” faces, but on this doll I took some inspiration from both Picasso and circus clowns.

(close up of face painting)

After putting on her face, then on to the clothing.  I do a lot of hand dying of lace and vintage fabric and then combine it with found object to create a complete look.

And here is the completed doll “Saint Serene”

(She sure has came a long way since her humble beginnings)

I will be teaching a classes at Art and Soul in Virginia Beach

and Art and Soul in Portland that are incorporating these techniques.

Thanks for stopping by… Clarissa

SpRiNG ClAsS ScHeDuLe

Ok So calling the Weather around here anything like spring is a big JOKE.  But hopefully when some of the later classes come along it will be SPRING.  OK maybe New Year would be a better description.
The New Year class schedule for 2013.
All classes held at my studio at 1920 Main st. Suite #8 Ferndale, WA. A lunch break of 30mins is included in the schedule. A sack lunch is recommended. Full payment is required to register. Call 360-305-9058
Rewards for those of you that are inclined to take more than one class
2 classes/ $150   3 classes/ $210    5 classes / $325

Sat Jan 26, Chaos Art Journaling 10am- 4:30pm $80
This is a great class for unlocking your creativity. We will be creating a “visual” journal. A place to explore, play, test, rant, and nourish your creativity.

Sat Feb 9, Sacred Heart Assemblage 10am-4:30 pm
$80 with $15 supply fee
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I will be doing a basic assemblage class inspired by the iconic sacred heart. We will explore ways to texture and altar new objects, attachments, sculpting, and painting.

Sat Feb 16, Mixed Media Jewelry Pendant 10am- 4:30pm
$80 plus $25 supply fee
A beginner’s class on using found objects to create jewelry. We will cover many techniques including, etching, basic wire working, and soldering

Sat and Sun March 16, 17 Art Doll Intensive  $190
An expanded two day class on creating my unique reclaimed Art Dolls. Besides the basics of altering, face painting and clothing, we will delve into altering our dolls even further with the use of apoxy clay and other secret tricks.
Sat April 6, Distressing Techniques 10am-4:30 pm $80
Sometimes in working with Found Objects you just can’t find or afford that perfect vintage items. So come and let me share my secrets for transforming new objects into vintage treasures.

ArT JouRnAlinG

Besides shrines, I would say that Art Journaling was one of my first big loves in the Mixed Media world.  One of the first art journal I saw was Dan Eldon’s The Journey is Not the Destination. Check out the whole website. It is a beautiful work of art that came from tragedy http://www.daneldon.org

The other Art Journaler that inspired me early on was Sabrina Ward Harrison. http://www.sabrinawardharrison.com

Both of them messy chaotic rich Art Journalers. Which greatly inspired my style.

Now days days Art Journaling is HUGE… The number of artists doing extraordinary work is mind blowing.  Search YouTube for Art Journaling and prepare to be overwhelmed with tutorials. 

Art Journaling helped me process a really messy breakup and the subsequent broken self esteem in my 20’s.   I so enjoyed journaling in the Art Asylum from the early days of Artfest. But it has fallen by the wayside in my artistic life these days.  You see its art that is not for sale. It is not a commodity.  Because of these excuses I have postponed it till after the “real” work is done.  Which we all know is NEVER.  

So I want to share with you some of my older (5-7 yrs ago) art journaling pages to inspire myself to make time for this precious form of expression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy journaling!

Art and Soul Portland 2012 Student Work

This was my first time teaching at Art and Soul. I have vended at the retreat many time but this was my first time teaching.

It was a joy!   Such fun people, silliness, and great art.

One of my favorite parts of classes is when everyone pulls out there stash of supplies. So different and so visually impressive.  Oh I don’t think I will ever stop lusting after beautiful fabrics and textures. 

 

Then to see the process that comes out of the piles of inspirations.

Doll Transformed class

And then the final results……

Student work from Doll Transformed

Student work for Junk Crows

Thank you all my wonderful students it was a joy to have you in class and hope to see you again soon.   And thanks to Glenny, Marie, and all the people that do the hard work of making a conference like Art and Soul successful.   See you next year!

New Video / Next Stop ART and SOUL

 

I have been busy making lots of new art for the upcoming art retreat in Portland Or  ART and Soul

A sneak peak of some of the new work I will have available at Art and Soul’s Vendor fair.

 

 

 

 

 

I also in the last month learned how to us windows movie maker. It was a bit of a steep learning curve but happy with the way it turned out. Next time I am hiring a professional voice over person. That was the worst part for me.  Thanks you Ruth for your cool contribution and for holding my sweating hand through the process.