Thursday, November 11, 2010

Lepidoptera--or--Three Square Inches Of Creativity

 Sometimes around my studio things happen totally by accident. I had purchased this frame, which said it had a 3 inch opening. Perfect! I have 3" x 3" canvas! This is great!
Except, when I got it home, the "3 inches" in China are NOT the same "3 inches" here in the States.
I had already prepped the canvas with a piece of paper for a bit of texture and numerous coats of gesso, then I got involved with the wall hanging and everything was pushed to the side---literally! Things were buried on the work table so that I could use my massive opaque projector.
The other day, I was finally at a point where I could put the behemoth back in it's box and stagger to the cellar with it, and ta-da! There is the frame and the tiny canvas.
Hmmmmmm.........
So in between the other picking up and rearranging for the next step in the *big work*, I spent a little sit down time.
Also, floating around was a single monarch butterfly wing, and I had this fear it would be lost before I could put it to use in a collage. So, really
having little direction or though, I grabbed some old entomology books, found a few choice tidbits and adhered them to the canvas. Then I grabbed three jars of Golden mica mediums, some fluid acrylics, interference paints and a black pencil and just let my mind wander.
The hardest part was the placement of the butterfly wing, because if it was totally centered, it did not look right.
I would work, then sit and tilt it this way and that until I was happy with the placement and grabbed the gel and gently adhered it to the surface. (I had previously sprayed both sides with workable fixative, so the scales would not disappear during the work)
Bit by bit, I added a little paint, a little of the different mica gels and easily built up the texture, which looks a lot more complicated
than it was. Sometimes doing two things at once is very good.
The side shot of the small canvas shows the amount of light reflected from the gold, pearl and black mica gels. They are easy to work with and well worth the price; a little goes a long way.I had planned to try and cut the back of the frame out more to allow the canvas to fit in, but while waiting for a layer of gel medium to dry, I set it atop the frame--paid no attention--came back later, looked at it and there it was......the solution to the two different "3 inches"......Get the E-6000, squirt a good line all around the inner lip of the top of the frame opening, set the canvas on it and push hard.
And what do you know; I have just made everything work together without really thinking too hard.  :-)  And that made me happy,  and the rest of the rearranging go a lot quicker!
So that's your art tid-bit for a while kiddies~~and maybe I can get back to blog hopping soon!

Pax....

36 comments:

Bunny said...

You are amazing, I love it. It is gorgeous. Happy you had some happy play time. Reminds me of Jeannie my first quilt she helped me with was a butterfly quilt.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Bunny!
It was good to have a little something fun in between the heavy work, and having it look good to was even better! LOL!
When I was putting it together, for what ever reason, it made me thing of Jean--maybe because of the bright colored butterfly wing....
And hopefully, I have my blog problem solved at the same time too!

XXOO!!♥
Anne

yoborobo said...

Wow, Anne, you should do this more often, the results are stunning! :) I just had the same thing happen (a frame that was wonky and a canvas that was a smidge too big). I broke out a chisel - lol!! Love this new piece. Happy to see you here! xox Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I am glad to get this silly post up Pam!
It was good doing the big stuff and then retreating for a few moments to experimental bliss!!!
Oh, I hear you on frames. I buy frames, then try and figure what to use them for. I think it's SUPPOSED to work the other way around! LOL!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

*Ulrike* said...

That is so beautiful Anne. I bet Silke will like this one since it has the butterflies.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Ulrike!

I sent Silke a sneak preview as I wasn't sure the blog was going to be nice--she did love it!
I think as all the outdoor things calm down it is easier to get back to reading blogs, etc. I feel like I've been in a time warp here--too much to do and too little time.
I hope I get a few moments now and then to do more small pieces....I really enjoy them.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Janet Ghio said...

Oh, this is pretty! I didn't know about Golden mica medium--yum!! I want some. Guess your blog must be behaving itself for the time being!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Janet,

The mica mediums are not cheap, but boy do them have a lot of punch! I can't recall how many there are...I just bought a couple that I could afford--at least until I tried them and knew I liked them.
AND I DO! (you would too!)
It's behaving for the moment...like a child, ya know? LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Sarah's Big Plans said...

Great tutorial on using the micas and gels--and I enjoyed reading about your creative process with the butterfly wing. Looks great and I love the frame too!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Sarah!

It was definitely minutes of art in between real life. LOL!
The micas are wonderful and they accept the fluid acrylic well too, so they can be tinted if one wishes to do so.
And, it was FUN! :D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

marianne said...

very nice! what fun to have a bit of play. i love the way things flow sometimes, when you look at the end result & wonder how it came so easily. now i have to buy mica gel :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!!
Yes, you MUST buy it--your work will take it and do magic things!
Buy one of each..... ;D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

martinealison said...

Très beau et très original... Tout est en valeur!
bises

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Merci---c'était un plaisir à faire et un repos à partir de l'autre dur labeur !

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Jan said...

I love this piece! Also I am so glad you made some time to do something fun like this, you really deserve some fun time. It turned out so gorgeous and the frame is perfect the way it showcases your art. I have some butterfly wings too but never thought I could use them in my art the way you have. I thought they would be too fragile but you have shown me the error of my thinking! Thanks Anne!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Well Jan, I had to think it through. I had that wing for ages, lost it several times and finally thought, what if I just LIGHTLY try spraying both sides? It's hard as the wing takes off, so hold an edge with your thumbnail.
And when I applied it, it was very gently. I let the gel behind it dry before I put a light glaze of gloss medium over the top. Fine bristle brush, one stroke cover---that's it. Once it's dry though, you have more leeway.
If you have questions, e-mail me.

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Georgina said...

Well, my dear Anne, what can I say...just "loverly!" Love the butterfly wing...so delicate. Yea, don't get me started on Chinese measurements....and clothes and shoe sizes for that matter!! I suppose their extra large in China must be what we consider "petite" here!! LOL

Glad you're back in the saddle and having a great time...God knows, you needed that!! Take care and have a great weekend.

Loves ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL Georgina!
In all the frames and things I buy that come from China (and truly, I have no choice because that's where almost all the art supplies are made)there is NOTHING consistent sizewise! Nor is it marked as such in a catalog.
I guess they assume that *Made in China* is the same as *This won't fit*.......:D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Marie S said...

Oh Anne what a wonderful piece and the frame is just perfect for it now that you fixed that 3".
Glad you are back to playing again.
Love and hugs

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey MArie,

This was just *in between* play.....the work is there, getting done. More to move. But it gave me something to do while I sat and also so I wouldn't lose that butterfly wing.....

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Silke Powers said...

Gorgeous, Anne!! And I love that you let us know what you did - that makes me think that working with a tiny canvas like that might be fun! Especially for a quick little piece. I find that with my larger pieces now it takes so darn long... Much love, Silke

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I will say, Silke, the small size can have as much visual impact (if put in the right frame, and of course, decent balance) as a larger piece.
The other thing is if you have interesting leftovers, they are great to use them up.
I think Dick Blick has them on sale right now.... :D

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anna Rosa Designs said...

Hi Anne,
This piece is fabulous!
How cool, it all just fell into place while you worked away {well, that's how you make it sound}lol
Have a wonderful creative weekend,
Hugs,
Anna

studio lolo said...

two smiles from me today!
One, for seeing you post again,
and two, posting a new piece of FABULOUS art!! I adore miniatures. I have a frame with a 3x3 opening waiting for me. The frame has a quote about home on it though, so I'd say my subject should be housey!

Nice happy happy post. yay!

xo♥

SaraLynnArt said...

This turned out beautifully! What a creative solution! I love how this painting looks with that frame. The golds and blacks are perfect with one another. <3

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Anna,

Yes, that is pretty much how it happened. I hate cleaning up, and I think my mind goes into *creative mode* while I gripe with the work! So when I get a chance to sit, it just happens!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Lolo,

I was glad to do a little *art*. Little art is better than NO art! LOL!
I like this size....I might look at it closer and see what I can do...maybe...when the big work is done!

XXOO~♥
ANne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey SaraLynn,

Welcome! And thanks for the comments--it did all sort of come together.....I think the best pieces of art are those that sort of make themselves; we just help them a bit! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Robbie said...

Some great art pieces come from spontaneity!

Crowing Moon said...

Looks lovely :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Girls!

Around here, now, ANY art comes from moments of complete sponteneity!
And I am not complaining either...

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I'm behind on my comments and finally decided to just jump in on the latest post - sorry, been up to the eyeballs in paint and floor tiles (NOT the fun sort of paint - the sort you slap on the walls, the ceiling, and you!!). Lovely wee butterfly wing Anne.

Bella Sinclair said...

Oooh, it looks like the frame and canvas were made for each other! You were so in the zone that you had a natural stroke of genius. Well done, Anne, well done. Gorgeous wing! And such a beautiful vintage feel.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

They were Bella---and it was just *LUCK* considering I was distracted by everything else.
Which means maybe I should not *think* when I make art???? LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

OH love love love!!! BIG love. And where the heck have I been? Oh ya. In faux cupcake land. Gonna have to get up earlier...that's the only solution. **kisskiss** Deb

di from di-did-it said...

ok, LOVE this!!! you've got creativity oozing out of every cell, girl!

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