Happy Grid

I recently took a collage design class with Claudine Hellmuth and the grid was part of our homework one week. I was making all my collages digitially and had this template from Ali Edwards on hand. I had also just purchased a starfish element and this thought came to mind. I hope the birthday girl likes it!

Learn and Make

Ginny of SmallStudio asked where my creations were from the collage class with Claudine Hellmuth. Well one or two are shown in the photo taken at the class. These are obviously in process. As the day wore on, I had bits of ink and gel on my hands despite a lot of washing and didn't want to handle the Iphone any more as I worked. A lot of the transfer bits weren't dry by the time I left, so they are still undone. Hopefully today they'll be uncovered.

I made two tags, which was a nice size to work with but I wouldn't bother to make tags again as I don't use them. One is for dh's birthday tomorrow so don't TELL. I liked this gesso technique. Cover with a thick layer of gesso, make it rough looking and scratch out a message. When it's dry, cover with a wash of color, and then wipe the color off to show the scratched bits. The green was the cover, and then I added bits of purple for 'the king's birthday'. It's subtle...


Here is that yellow tag from the first picture and two other bits. I like that 'contact paper' transfer but funnily enough Claudine said that Contact brand doesn't work as they have changed the formula. Hint...Target has their own brand which does work!

I may go back to that brown one on the right and do more with it or just leave it as an example of technique. I don't care for it but that's ok. I'm anxious to see the two white gel transfers uncovered. They are surely dry by now! They we'll see where that one goes.

As you see I am truly in collage kindergarten but I'm having fun, and that's the whole point for me. I now see how some things work and what I would do differently and how some technique appeals to me and others don't. I think for artwork, I can modify the saying I try to live The joy is in the journey. to The joy is in the process. Works for me!

Sticky Hands On Fun

Yes, I did have fun! I took a class I have wanted to take for some time but couldn't quite find the time or be in the right place. Claudine Hellmuth, now a 'neighbor' in DC, taught her classic "Collage Discovery" at The Queens Ink in Savage MD. Now The Queens Ink is a place dh and I stumbled upon one day last year, two years ago? when I said I hadn't been to Savage Mills in a zillion years. "The Queen" has it all and has wonderful classes with many well known visiting artists. It always seemed that we would be away when one I had looked forward to was scheduled. Finally got this one on MY calendar!

Claudine, in case you don't recognize her, is the blue eyed blond on the right - probably the only long haired person who didn't get paint or gel in her hair!

Claudine did a few of the basic resist techniques for us, we took notes, and then we went back to our own places and played! Funny how so many of us were so eager to play we didn't read our notes again, and learned over and over to go with the flow and get over it."Oh...no gel on the paper before you add the masking tape!" Play and learn.

Can't get to a class? Well try Claudine's first book Collage Discovery Workshop. She has a few other books and some videos out besides, and a new book in the wings due shortly.

I went home with paint on my fingernails and a few items I had made, and a lot of good memories of fun, a great teacher and lots of companionship. I wish I could do this every month! At least there is an Artist Way studio day next Saturday.

Do you have a 'play-group' for your creative endeavors? Don't you NEED one???