Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, art does NOT happen.
I had started this piece quite by accident when I was finishing up my Michael DeMeng Colorwash Class. See, that tin *was* a saddle soap can with openers on the side. I think I was trying to soften up my Doc Marten boots when I discovered the soap had totally gone kaput.
The tin was rusted exceptionally well, and after my initial fit that I didn't have saddle soap, I looked again at the beauty in the rust; something normally to discard, but all I could see was a shrine shape.
So the round part was done. And then it sat......and sat.......and......SAT. I knew I wanted something on top and I knew eventually it would be free-standing on a slim metal pole attached to a fancier base.
Fast forward to, well, TODAY. It was too hot to sew, too miserable to do much needed work in the yard and I see this piece, begging for attention.
Guilt, my dear readers, GUILT propelled me to go to the cellar and dig through boxes of *stuff* (M.A. part of that digging was through the box of metal bit you sent!!!) and finally found a fancy metal piece that could be altered for a finial.
It was originally gold and shiny like the piece on the left (which I am sure will work itself into the base somehow) but with some folding and nipping and paint washes and the heat gun, I had the aged and lovely crown.
Ah yes, that was what I was looking for!
And close ups~~the interior with a paperclay stamped piece, with tons of mediums and paints.....please don't make me try and think what I used...
I did use Kroma Crackle on this; there is a learning curve to the medium and I am still curving and learning.
But this, the face on the front.....this is what I wanted, exactly. The soft glowing kindness, the gentle color, the crackle of age.
For whatever reason, I was reminded of Orthodox Icons and then I thought about the Hagia Sophia's beautiful round domes...my mind was pulling together all the wonderful remnants I have seen from archeological digs, and thus, this piece in process.
I now have to find both *stem* and *base* but this has motivated me to look, and to finish.
And by the way, this Sunday, please stop by Seth Apter's incredible, great art blog, "The Altered Page"....
....because I will be part of The Pulse, in Style File!
If you love mixed media, Seth's blog is a MUST to follow. He does amazing work and is constantly introducing new artists there.
Anyway, I've rambled enough.
I just want to say.....art felt really GREAT today!
Wishing you beautiful visions, inspiration, and all the style you could ask for! And of course....
Pax....
54 comments:
I was thinking the museum of Russion Icons the whole time I was looking at your piece. Really beautiful work Anne, glad you are BACK. Glad also that you honor your own resources and give yourself permission to wax and wane in your creative juice. Cool, will look for you on The Altered Page....xox Corrine
Hi Corrine,
I learned a long time ago that FORCING art was not the same as CREATING art. Yes I know everyone says you have to do it all the time and it will just happen, but **** happens too...LOL!!!
This one has been worth the wait!
From a lowly shoe treatment tin.....what a gem!
I am anxious to try and figure out the other *parts*...
XXOO~~
Anne
It is amazing.... I feel like this is centuries old & found somewhere in Russia or Eastern Europe among some treasures. Beautiful work Anne....
Have a Great Weekend!
Marilyn
Ah, PERFECT Marilyn!
That's what I was going for, exactly.
Now if I can get the *holder* on it, and make it look the same, I will be very happy indeed!
I'm hoping for a COOLER weekend! LOL!
XXOO~~
Anne
Gorgeous! I love anything with icons!!
Thanks Janet!
I am so eager to finish this, but also know I need to think it out and not hurry and just slap something on there.
I can *see* it finished in my head.
It's getting that to the HANDS!
XXOO~~
Anne
That crackle produces a lovely effect.
Hey Debra,
I love the crackle, but DANG! It is the MOST unpredictable stuff! I've tried different application methods and still can't quite get what I'm looking for.
I'm happy with it, but can't get it to do what the samples show.
Oh well, more experiments!
XXOO~~
Anne
Wow... saddle soap containers never looked so good. This must have taken quite a bit of time with all the layers and products you used. Lovely.
I'm so glad guilt propelled you forward! I'm loving it so far...can't wait to see how you finish it off.
I'm off to Seth's....
xoxo
Lolo♥
Love it! Sometimes you have to wait for the piece to tell you what to do. Although, I have to admit, guilt can be a powerful motivator!
Anne - I love that crackle finish! And the blues against the golds in the center. Just gorgeous! You should play more often. ;) We are baking like Maryland clams here. I am officially sick of hot summer days. I miss whining about winter - lol!! xox Pam
Bellassimo!! I have several Orthodox Icons in my home (some of my Croatian relatives are Orthodox - not Catholic)...I love the style...Your piece is already amazing.....I can't wait to see what you do with it next. I will check out Seth's Blog this weekend!
Blowing cooling breezes Eastward....
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Oh is it hot in Ky. Haven't been out except early AM. Another wonderful piece. Come over and check out my giveaway. You might like a plarn tote bag.
QMM
Hi Nancy~~
I did use a lot of products, and as hard as I tried to REMEMBER what I used/did to write, it's gone.
Now, if I sat to MAKE another....I am sure I could do it. Odd how the brain works....
XXOO~~
Anne
Hey Lolo,
Sometimes you use whatever to get motivated. I seldom am a guilt-motivated person, but it worked, so I'm not complaining.
I won't be at Seth's till this Sunday but I think you'll enjoy his blog any time!
XXOO~~
Anne
Hey Karen,
Yeah....when I get sidetracked in the middle of a piece it is often hard to keep the train of thought.
I think, if I recall, I did not have the pieces I wanted to finish it top and bottom....but getting the top on helped a lot.
Now I need something to rip apart and recycle.....
XXOO~~
Anne
Hey Pam,
Yes, I certainly DO need to play more often. From play comes great creativity.... :-)
The crackle is so unpredictable. I'm very happy with it, but I still need to learn how to manipulate it better. (I did find out I can totally torch it with the heat gun...NOT GOOD! LOL!)
I miss whining about winter too....at least you can put more clothes on then....
XXOO~~
Anne
Oooooo Robin, can you see my shade of envy green glowing through the computer???
I would LOVE to have a real Orthodox Icon (not having one due to $$$, yes, I live in the real world!) but I guess the inspiration in the art is a good thing, and maybe how it's supposed to be.
Can't wait to finish it!
XXOO~~
Anne...running after any cool breeze!
Hey Peggy,
It's the same with me, early a.m. or in the evening. Otherwise...in the house. Will try and get Blogger to load and visit. The heat is causing issues with my broadband. I anticipate some down time; electric components don't work after a certain temp. I wasn't even sure I was going to get the blog posted last evening!
Stay cool.....
XXOO~~
Anne
I totaly understand what you say.....
but i liked these images so much !
Hey Caio,
Yes, it is frustrating when a piece of work just stops in your head.
I hate waiting.
But this was worth the wait, and reacquainting with the process, oh, that was SO GOOD!!!
Glad you enjoyed the photos!
XXOO~~
Anne
So nice to see you and your art back Anne.
Have a great weekend.
Hey Marie!
It's nice to have some art to post for a change! ;-)
Have been utterly lazy the rest of today--the heat is unbelievable and I am slowed waaaay down. Iced tea and a book this afternoon.
XXOO~~
Anne
This is just amazing? I am in awe. Maybe you should feed into guilt more often. Lol
Hey Teri,
LOL! Maybe I need more rusty tins that used to hold saddle soap!
Things just come to me when they are ready to be made.....I've tried pressing the issue and end up with junk.
So when the notion strikes, I try and respond!
XXOO~~
Anne
You're back in the 'zone' Anne... great work.
Don't know if I'm *in the zone* yet Jo, but at least I can see it on the distant horizon!!!
And that's okay. :-)
XXOO~~
Anne
oooo.... thanks for sharing the extreme close-up views.... I love how the crackling turned out.... looks liked dried, parched, ancient ruins.... perfect!
Thanks Di!
I was excited too~~I've used the product since and have yet to get it to do the same thing! I like how it looks on this, but can't repeat it...go figure. ;-)
XXOO~~
Anne
pretty gorgeous my fren! looks like relics from way back! Your MDM techniques are getting real pro and love the crackle on them. i usually use jo sonja but it doesn't give small cracks like the ones you have.
Oh, Anne, this is a truly lovely icon you are making. I may have imagined it but I think MdM talked about using the crackle on his blog so I'm going to look it up. I've been whinging about the cold but I think the heat you are experiencing is harder to deal with. Stay cool my friend...
Hey Luthien,
You know what is funny is I have used that little *squiggle* long before I knew who MDM was! I think it must have been a universal sort of bit floating around, grabbed by a few artists all at once!
I have several crackle mediums, and they all act differently, size of cracks, etc. The one thing that is consistent is they are picky and a PITA to use in terms of any sort of consistency.
I never ever know until it's dry, and lucked out here!
XXOO~~
Anne
Hey Carol,
Michael did mention the Kroma Crackle. It is an odd consistency---comes in a tube so you *think* it's going to be firmer but it is oozey~~know what I mean? It does take paint good, needs dry weather to crackle properly and would be a better winter project (when I actually did the crackling on here).
I tried some the other day and it wouldn't dry so I took the heat gun to it and fried it....it burns! LOL!!!
Yeah, the heat goes on and on and I am just wearing down from it. No going out.
I look at cloudy skies this morning and know that it's just going to disappear soon....and I shall remain cloistered!
XXOO~~
Anne
Ah, these are absolutely stunning, Anne... I was really taken by the close up pics, the texture looks crazy good! You know, if we were neighbors, I think you would love rummaging through my boxes... I'm always surprised at the things I find in them, maybe you can zap up some pretty things out of them! Haha! oxx
Amalia, if we were neighbors, everyone else would move out because I could see a SHARED BUILDING--very LARGE--to hold all our treasures! (but oh what FUN!!!!)
I love texture...I am a texture junkie and always have been, so this made me happy AFTER the fit of no saddle soap and having to scrub the tin...peee-uuuuu!!!
We need to shrink the world a bit, eh? ;-)
XXOO~~
Anne
Oh wow this looks so amazing.
I love your new pieces of art.
Absolutly wonderfull
I love it
Thanks Janine!
I thoroughly enjoyed making it, and hope that I can find the right stand for it.
Thanks for popping by!
XXOO~~
Anne
So awesome Mama! I love it. Beautiful and breath taking!! You are so right about Amy. I hurt for her and her family. The demons that we wrestle with when we are depressed. There had to be a well of hopelessness and pain this child was in. All her songs reflected it. I mean we all saw it coming, but the sting in all just the same. Thanks for your comforting words. Love you so much!
v
Thanks V!
You know, what is sad is the media will blither on and on about all the issues and forget the beautiful young woman who hurt so desperately.
She is in Greater Hands now.....♥
XXOO~~
Anne
oh Anne...abSOULutely stunning!
Yes Laura,
That is the thing with this piece...the SOUL.
I supposed that was what kept pulling me back to it..... ;-)
XXOO~~
Anne
wow excellent textures..love your work
:-)
Thanks Lorraine!
Makes me feel better about scrounging for the rest of the parts I need!
XXOO~~
Anne
Yea!! So glad you are back at it!! And amazing work as usual.
Anne, this is so beautiful!! Truly - I love these little gems that so much work and love when into. That's why we do art, isn't it? That process of creating something. If we enjoy the finished product, even better. I bet you loved making this!! It shows!!! Much love and cool weather to you! Silke
Hey Robbie,
I am slooooowly working! This heat has just wiped me out...I'm ready for winter when I can hole up and not have to mow!
XXOO~~
Anne
Hey Silke,
You are so right....from that first idea that rolls into the brain, and then drives you nuts till it starts being created~~I love the detail and somehow the time factor is irrelevant.
I loved creating this even though I almost did NOT.
Was in the studio, pushing it aside when the room filled with the smell of roses several times.
Well, I have NO roses in here, nor anything that smells like them remotely, so I started work.
The other day I wasn't going to work on it and the same thing happened again, so now I'm LISTENING..... ;-)
XXOO~~
Anne
Anne this is spectacular. Sensational. Incredible. Hands down I think this is my most favorite of all the pieces you have created. I am looking at it now, wishing I could hold it in my hand and see it in person.
Hey Seth,
I wish you could too~~this one is just special. Maybe it is the thing of something sacred from a cast off, or the texture and color; I don't know.
But it is quite wonderful to cradle in the hands and turn from side to side.
Thank you so much for including my other piece in The Pulse~~have had some nice comments already!
XXOO~~
Anne
A saddle soap tin???? WOW! Anne, this is beautiful work!!! Yes, leave it to Mr. deMeng, to open our eyes to the oh-so-beautiful, in the rusty and old!!! And I love how you were "guilted" into going into the cellar to find the perfect metal goodie that you needed!! As always, I enjoy coming to visit you here, Anne...as I am always inspired by the work that you do...and the way you express yourself!
Excuse me now...as I go rifle through my "stuff" to find an old and rusty saddle soap tin!!!
Happy week to you, my dear!
Roberta
Hey Roberta,
YES! An old crusty saddle soap tin that I had to scrub, and hope enough rust stayed intact! (which obviously it did...)
The thing I enjoyed about MDM is that he teaches in a manner that opens your eyes to possibilities. It's not follow-by-rote, or a recipe (other than for colors)~~it is the encouragement to go make your own work.
I made it to the junk store today and home with three *possible* bases for it.....we'll see.
Glad you got a little *guilted* too! LOL!!!
HAve a great one!
XXOO~~
Anne
Ooooh - I like this one!! I'm very happy that your saddle soap dried up. Glad, too, to see you rooted through the box of bits I sent - hope that someday something will 'speak' volumes to you and need to be used in one of your creations.
Your photos are simply stunning, and this piece is so wonderful. It was worth the wait for just the right thing to complete it! so glad I stumbled upon your blog!
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