a Painted Collage

Some of the various definitions of 'collage' 

include the words assemblage, 

collections, artistic composition of objects, a composite collection...

usually from differing materials all mounted together as one.

I don't do many collages but I have enjoyed what I call "painted collages," that is,  a gathering of objects (usually thematic) all painted on one surface which is made to look like several different surfaces.  Here are a few examples done over the years:

I have not done one recently but I always found it was a great challenge to combine painted pieces and parts in a way that they stood as many individual paintings yet still hung together as one.  Lots of mind tricks are involved.  A friend of mine who is preparing to teach asked if I would review my process so they might give it a try.  

If you have no intention of painting this then sign out here and have a great day!  If you are curious, stick around.

I start by taping off sections on a well gessoed board or canvas. (I like board as I will use pencil, but personal choice). Using transparent acrylics (made soupy with either water or medium) I put down a coat of color (start light) and let it dry.  Remove some of the painters tape and either put more pieces down in new spots or just proceed.  Using a slightly different transparent color, paint half or more of the board again.  Where you removed the tape you will still see a "divider" due to the difference in color.  Where colors overlap in your squares and rectangles you will see another color.  You could also mix a slightly less transparent color and force it to drip down the piece in several places.  Keep going. All of this is "play" with an eye to making some sections come forward and some recede.  As you work on laying down the background don't be too hesitant but work slowly as ideas for balance will occur to you. Pull off all the tape and let the piece dry.

Hopefully your colors were chosen with a subject in mind.  Gather up the images and begin deciding how to lay them out on the board.  Some might fit nicely in a "box," while others will defy the box and go over a "line."  Choose some to make large and others to minimize or only do part of.  At this point I begin working in pencil so that I can get the feel for sizes.  

I like to proceed in pencil and balance it off with white acrylic paint.  By spraying the pencil with a fixative (when you are certain you will not erase any more) you will get a stable image.  Other times I simply sketch an image loosely and then paint it on with acrylic paints.  Keep in mind that no one image is really complete until all are done....this is very much a matter of pushing and pulling elements as you flesh out the objects.

Remember that you are not obligated to protect or preserve any of your background if it morphs along with the painting.  And "painting out" a mistake (or something you did not like) often will enhance the background you have going.  Nothing is unable to be changed and nothing should feel too sacred.  

You are done when...you are done!  you will know!  and if three days later the painting begs for more, well, have at it.  If you prefer to finish off by using oils that is fine as well but I don't start with them as they take so long to dry.

I'm sure there is more to add to this....please experiment.

Collaging My Way,

Cindy

Chickened Out...

This is it for the chickens...at least for a little while! I have learned several things concentrating on these birds, one of which is that all chickens are not alike.  And I'm not just referring to the variety of breeds; I'm talking about personality.  Really.  I guess I never thought about it but these two legged animals each have a character all their own.  If you don't believe me just try painting them or raising a few.  (Notice here we have a cheerful chick, a busy hen, a mother hen, a bossy hen....and so on.)

Anyway, I enjoy putting a number of related images together in what I refer to as a "painted collage."
Here's my tribute to those hard working hens who keep us in eggs.

 

24" x 24" acrylic on board

 

 

This style of painting gives me the opportunity to play with my backgrounds and surfaces...and while I want the figures to move forward and backward with some depth, I don't have to position them in relation to a horizon line or worry over shadows always cast in the same direction.  Another reason I have fun with this is that I can vary the sizes of my subjects and then, with color, move the viewer around and through the work.  While the layout and composition are a challenge, this time I did not have to paint out any completed subjects. 

 

I'll share a few details for closer viewing.

 

Buying a painted collage is like getting many paintings all in one.  Now it is off to the framer's with this one.  Thanks for sharing my chicken period with me...it's not "over and out," but I have hit the "pause" button!

Cindy

p.s. I am now posting my plein air work for sale in my etsy shop on-line at:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/cindymichaudart   I will blog about the work from time to time but encourage you to check out this site if you are ever interested in a piece.  And, of course, I am in the process of updating all my larger pieces on my website at http://www.cindymichaud.com  Thanks.

 

 



Plymouth Rockers...

Plymouth Rockers     acrylic on tin

I'm just a little infatuated with chickens...and painting on salvaged tin!  Here are two more chicks, Barred Plymouth Rock variety, on a long narrow piece of roofing tin.  After cleaning the tin I coat it with a clear gesso which helps the paint adhere for the long term.  Then I have some fun.    The grey color of the tin makes it a little hard for an amateur to photograph but the colors come through nicely on the original.  I have a couple more pieces that I will be working on...perhaps of some other subjects! 

 

My son raised chickens during high school and I never thought I would say that I now miss them.  But I actually loved gathering and eating the eggs...the work part was his responsibility!  Just in case you wondered, the breed above is supposed to be good "layers." And if they are anything at all like the chickens we had in the backyard, once they lay an egg they make all kind of noise advertising the fact! 

 

If this looks like a piece for your kitchen just send me an email!

 

 

 

 

So Much Depends....

The Red Wheelbarrow

        William Carlos Williams

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

I am often asked where I get ideas for paintings.  "Everywhere," is my usual answer.  Sometimes it is a new place I have been or something I am curious about.  And every once in a while something crosses my path and I need to drop everything and paint from its inspiration.  Such was the case recently when my good friend Claire reminded me of one of her favorite poems by William Carlos Williams.  She said that my recent painting of the solitary yellow canoe on the lake dock had reminded her of it.  I knew the poem and ironically it fit with all that I have been learning this summer about farms. So I really did drop everything else to see how I could make art based on the thoughts of this short but powerful piece of poetry.



So Much Depends

12" x 24" mixed media

on board

As I learn more about the life of farmers I am realizing that indeed, so much does depend on that symbolic tool: the red wheelbarrow.  Not only did the health of the crops depend on it but the farmer's family, the family income, and the eventual consumer.  I wanted this piece to reflect the brevity of the poem.  The few words translated to minimal lines and limited colors.  The challenge in the composition was in making the different objects work together as I did not have a red wheelbarrow conveniently posing for me in a field with white chickens!

detail

This is one of my favorite pieces of the summer for a lot of reasons.  It is my tribute to those who work to provide food for our tables, my homage to past family members who lived the challenging life of farming and my bow to William Carlos Williams for sharing so much in so few words.

Thanks Claire for reminding me of this poem and providing wonderful inspiration!