Using Up Those Paper Scraps

If  you're  a  mixed  media  artist,  most  likely  you  like  to  use  a  little  or  a  lot  of  collage  in  your  artwork.  And  if  you're  like  me,  it  can  get  out  of  hand  fast  with  the  paper  stash  that  you  collect.   I  used  to  use  a  lot  of  found  papers  and  scrapbook  papers  for  my art,  but  if  you  read  my  blog,  then  you  know my  current  obsession  for the  last  few  years  is  painting  papers  (my  therapy)  and  then  using  them  in  my  art.   And  they  have  gotten  WAY  out  of  hand.   So  every  once  in  a  while,  I'll  make  some  art  using  only  what  I  have,  and  in  my  case,  not  painting  any  more  papers  for  my  art piece  that  I'm  working  on.  (or  in  the  past,  running  to  the  store  and  buying  some  new  scrapbook  paper).   I  ended  up  making  a  lot  of  pieces that  I'm  really  happy  with.

No  more  talking---I'll  just  show  you--

….new  box--from  my  paper  scraps (and  an  image  of  my  art  on  the  top) and  a  found  wood  cigar  box

the  start  of  a  6 x 12  piece  gathering  things  for  my  assemblage  piece--

…..finished  piece

More  assemblage  shadowboxes

latest  mirror--always  fun  to  make

another  new  (cigar) box  with  another  image  of  my  art  on  the  top

this  last  piece  was  from  a  batch  of  wood  panels  that  I  found  at  a  flea  market.   The  man  told  me  that  he  found  some  doors  laying along  the  roadside  (shameful  to  trash  anything  like  that!)  that  he  took  apart,  and  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  find  them  to  repurpose!

Here's  what  I  got  that  day.  The  skinny  tall  panel  in  the  back  is  what  I  used  for  my  last  piece--don't  throw  these  things  out--other  people  will  put  them  to good  use!   And   look  at  those  cigar  boxes  I  found  from  another vendor  that  day  for  a  very  reasonable  price.   That  was   a  good  day  at  the  flea  market!  

Okay,  so  I  made  all  of  these  pieces  for  my  next  show,  and  hopefully  they'll  find  new  homes  with  all  of  just  what  paper  scraps  that  I  had--and  I  barely  put  a  dent  in  my  papers--I  am  drowning  in  papers  here  :-)

P. S. If  you  want  to  see  what  I'm  up  to  on  a  daily  basis ,  please  visit  and  like  my  Facebook  art  page  HERE.  That's  where  you  can  find  me  most  every  day.

Page One

So this is the very first page of my art journal.  I’ve never made an art journal before, and I’ve never had a blog before--so this is all a new experience for me.  I could never have started this blog if it wasn’t for my son Nick. I’m very proud of Nick. He received his Doctorate degree this last summer, and is now teaching at Ramapo College in New Jersey. He lives in New York City--a dream he’s had since he was 20 years old. Which once again shows that you can make anything happen that you want to as long as you believe it and work hard for it. He didn’t learn this from me--I learned it from him.  So Thanks Nick!!   I have 5 kids altogether--all different in their own right, and they’ve all taught me something different, which has helped me become the person I am now.

I also want to mention Mystele. Mystele is an awesome lady. Not only is she an amazing artist, but she’s also an amazing teacher. I started following her blog about a year ago. I loved her art, and got to know her through her videos. Last October, she offered her first ever online class, which I immediately signed up for (another first for me). It’s called Gut Art--art from your gut--finding your authentic voice. She’s offering another one in February, and I can’t recommend this class enough for any type artist--beginner to advanced.

The first week, she wanted everyone to make their own journal--their Gut Art book. She made hers along with us with her numerous videos showing us different techniques and ideas on how to make it. At the time, I was getting ready for one of my big art fairs, and I knew that I couldn’t possibly do this. First week in--I was already the bad kid in the classroom. But after that I participated, and put my best effort in every assignment. She’s a completely committed teacher, and I also became committed as well. The class is over now, but the site is still open, because all of us have made a connection, and have become very supportive of each other. What I benefited the most from this class, aside from the many art techniques from Mystele as well as the other classmates, was self confidence--in my art and in myself. I’ve always been a good student, and have always finished my assignments, and I will this time too.

So, Mystele, here’s the start of my Gut Art Book! I hope everyone follows along--it will be a big, colorful never-ending journal!

Here is some of my past work:

I like to use texture and pattern in my art.

I like to collage.

I also make collage assemblages. More about this in my next blog.

This is my newest endeavor. I've always liked the angels and painted faces in general. I'm still learning this, but I really enjoy it and I hope to improve as I go along.