Tractors on Tin

One of the interesting parts of working in "mixed media" is that you are "allowed" to mix it up and try new combinations of paints, pencils, supports and so on.  I've seen some work done on galvanized aluminum and perhaps some tin but never questioned anyone on the process or the materials used.  Thus I could hardly resist when I came across some small tin pieces (probably used in a kitchen backsplash) in a "treasure" store.  I bought two and stuck them away for a bit.  Recently I needed a change so I fished them out and went to work on the layers of rust and dirt covering them.

I soon realized that only a miracle would return them to their once shiney state and decided I would just have to work with the rust and the color it made once smeared around with paint striper.  Having recently drawn old tractors I figured that these would be appropriate subject matter for the surface. 
After stabiling the surface I drew my tractor on.  Remember that dark rusty color?  Well, it definitely affects the ability to use color in the drawing.  Most of the work is done with colored pencils.

 

The photo does not do the surface justice as the camera did not register the color differeniation very well.  The piece is about 9" high by 12" wide and a bit sharp on the edges.

 

The top is a "Farmall Cub" and the bottom is labeled "International" which I assume became International Harvester.  Here are some details:

Not everybody's cup of tea but I certainly enjoyed tackling a new surface with the challenge of materials choice and surface prep.  In fact, I have two much, much larger tins in the works (old ceiling tiles I suspect) and one more "on order."  Guess I like to run out all the possibilities of combos before moving on.  Stay tuned for the others...they are different in subject matter and approach.



Stick a Fork in It!!

As they say "Stick a fork in it and call it done!"
I'm calling it done!

 

Tractor Heaven

24 x 24  mixed media on board

(graphite, acrylic and oil)

 

Where do old tractors go when their life is spent?  Many of them still sit in fields with vines thickly growing over them...I've photographed these pieces.  But I think that their souls must go to a 'Tractor Heaven' where they share old stories with other vintage equipment.  For some reason old tractors fascinate me and I wanted to include several different angles of them all in one painting...a kind of collage done in mixed media.

 

I started with a  wooden panel that had an undercoat of color on it after several coats of gesso.  I strived to depict not only the different styles of tractors and their various parts and pieces, but also a feel for the old textures of their peeling paint, their rusting metals and the patched areas that kept them running and working.  There is a lot in this piece....and it may be confusing to some who view it.  But to others it contains many hidden nugents of new information just waiting to be seen and explored.

 

a close up of some of the textures layered onto the panel

 

a detail of a portion of the painting

 

This type of painting is not easy...unless it is carefully planned ahead of time (and it was not!) an artist can easily back themselves into a corner where there is no real movement of eye nor feeling of cohesiveness.  It results in a dangerous game of push and pull where you have to eliminate and accentuate different pieces...sometimes totally wiping out a part that you previously labored over.  I promised myself that the next time I embarked upon such a style I will make many sketches beforehand, and carefully think it out before starting with the first sketch...yeah, right!  Well, one can hope!  Here's to several more pieces featuring these workhorses.

 

Enjoy.