Experimental Art - Recycled Art



Woodland Spirits



When you are willing to try new creative techniques, new products or to use materials in a different way, a great sense of adventure and expectation takes over. 

Often, you're rewarded with pleasant surprises and stunning results.  But, sometimes the results are disappointing or even a total flop.

I firmly believe though, that whatever the results are, taking time to experiment with new techniques and materials will take you on a creative journey that will unleash your creativity and develop your unique creative spirit.

To some, getting past the disappointing results is difficult.  Sometimes, the desire to quit isn't an emotional reaction, but more of a practical reaction - to continue would be a waste of materials.

So, what I would like to talk about today, is seeing the beauty in "flops" and recycled art.  I save all of my "experiments" not matter how bad I perceive  them to be.

I would suggest that every piece that doesn't meet your expectations should be looked at for its potential.

• Is there a part of it that you do like?
• Could it be used in another project or remade into something else altogether?
• Or could you keep it and just see it as a memento of the creative journey?

One of my favorite art recycling projects is to trim off the parts of paintings or drawings that I like and use the remainder of the piece for paper mosaics, collage or paper weaving.  Sometimes, their second life as recycled art is more beautiful and what they were really intended to be. 

Just knowing that my new art experiment I'm about to plunge into will not be wasteful and will become something beautiful no matter what way it turns out, gives me the confidence to jump in without hesitation.

In the example above, I was trying out a new product that I thought would be fun to experiment with - Liquitex Pouring Medium.  This product, used with Liquitex soft body acrylic paint, creates these awesome, swirling, glossy pools of color that spread across the paper.  All you need to do is tilt and move the paper in different directions and watch as the paining develops itself.

It is that process of being totally immersed in directing the flow and movement of the paint while letting go of control of the end result that is both exciting and calming to me at the same time.

I like to do monoprints, where I use random shots of paint and mediums (which I will explain in another post).  So, I thought I would use the pouring medium in the same way.  I didn't have any spare bottles to mix each color with the pouring medium, so I just squirted the medium over green, blue, yellow and black paint that was drizzled over bristol vellum paper.

Because I didn't premix the colors, it didn't come out quite as I hoped.  However, there were these great areas of very organic-looking "mini paintings" that were perfect for cropping.  So, rather than discard it, I now have many pieces to work into other projects or to display alone - like the one above.  This piece is only 1" by 2.5" - a lot of detail is packed into such a tiny piece.

Tiny works of art can be used in framing.  Mounted on colored card stock or a painted background with a wide border and matt, they look more substantial.  They can be used alone or in multiples from the same painting or with others.

Photographing the work opens up even more possibilities of new art.  You can crop and enlarge an image, alter the color, contrast and look.  I'm new to photography and the thought of all this new potential for recycling my old works has set me off on new adventures in my creative journey.

Recommendations:

• Purchase a good quality, larger paper cutter.
• If you are a OK with recycling a piece, cut it into a variety of strips for weaving or bookmarks and squares for mosaics, framed display or other projects.
• Use clear, storage containers with plenty of compartments to store your paper pieces by color.
• Depending on your taste, there are many suitable papers, but I prefer to use a smooth bristol vellum.

Recommended Reading:

• I recently came across a wonderful little book called, Inchies - Create Miniature Works of Art Using Textiles and Mixed Media Techniques by Peggy Donda Kobert.  While fabric is the focus for the projects in this book, you can easily use painted paper instead.  Definitely take a look at this book.  The styles vary from cute to sophisticated and will inspire you with new projects for your recycled art.
• Another inspiring book is Collage with Color - Create Unique Expressive Collages in Vibrant Color by Jane Davies.  Just sitting and slowly paging through this colorful book, gets me daydreaming about endless possibilities.  It is bursting with gorgeous colors and patterns that, to me, are truly mesmerizing.  There are projects galore that are perfectly suited for recycled art.  I highly recommend this book.

Love all that you create - good and bad; after all, it is a part of you.

You are its creator!

Don't forget to keep up your Daily Doodles!!http://doodletherapy.blogspot.com/2011/04/daily-doodle-journal-develop-your.html 

Happy Doodling!

Expermental Art - Rit Dye

I love the idea of paintings that paint themselves.  By that I mean, letting go of control over the process and watching as the process unfolds.

You need to approach this experiment with a sense of adventure and without any expectations of getting a great painting.  The idea is to be open to the process of creation and to become so engaged in that process that you lose all sense of time and place.  In this state, you can rid yourself of any stress and escape the everyday demands.

For this art technique, you will need:
Any size watercolor paper

• Dark brown, powdered Rit Dye
• Spray bottle of water
• Hair blow dryer (optional)

This technique was featured in Jan Fabian Wallake's inspiring book, Watercolor: Pour it On!  This book is loaded with interesting techniques, step-by-step instructions and beautiful illustrations that will totally inspire you.

The technique is simple:

• Soak the paper in water for a few seconds or spray it thoroughly.  Make sure that it is on a protected surface to prevent staining.  For those who work with watercolor, it can be put on a stretcher board, but it doesn't need to be.
• While it is wet, sprinkle tiny amounts of the dye on the wet paper.  Don't squeeze the particles to a fine powder - it will tend to look solid brown.

As the particles hit the paper, they will "explode" into individual color particles.  Wallake states, "Once the dye has put on its spectacular display, you can easily see the many colors used to make this color.  I have used this technique for organic images such as forest foliage and underwater plant growth".

For myself, I have used it alone and with India ink to create random and spontaneous abstract images. 

You can tilt and turn the paper to spread the flow of color or use a hair dryer to blow the dye in different directions - I love the movement this creates.

If you're in a truly experimental mood, add drops of India ink to the wet paper using an eye dropper.  Use the spray bottle if you need to re-wet the paper.  For the image above, I used tiny drops of India ink along with the dye.

I usually like what turns out as is, but you may find that images have formed that you would like to draw into and expand on what was created with additional art work.

The main idea though, is to explore new techniques to develop and transform your creative abilities; to approach the process with positive intentions and appreciate the beauty and alchemy of the unexpected results.

This openness will allow you to connect at a much deeper level to your creative spirit.  And when the creative spirit is in charge, instead of the mind, you will be amazed at what you are able to create.

Try this technique - consider it your playtime!

Special Note:  for the perfectionists and judgmental types (you know who you are!).  If there's a section that don't like or "didn't come out right", don't throw it out - trim off the "offensive" part instead.  You may find at a later time, that you have grown to like it.

Happy Doodling!

Creativity - What Holds You Back?

Is it the fear of what someone will think of your creative endeavors.  Are you afraid that it won't be good enough, won't be perfect?

If it's any of these, I would ask you to consider this.  Would you stop a child from creating something because it isn't perfect?  Would you discourage them because of what others may think?  Even if you can argue that you would to protect them; would it really be beneficial if the message is, what others think is more important?

So, why would you want to inflict such restrictions on yourself?  If you have not been able to experience the joy of creation, watch someone while they create.  Instead of focusing on what they are creating, and comparing your ability to theirs, focus on them.  Do they look like they are immersed in the process, relaxed, stress-free or happy?  That's what you want to aim for - not the talent or the skill.  That will develop and transform once you allow the creative process to chart its own course. 

Michelle Cassou has written the best books on overcoming blocks.  Her books have had a profound effect on my work.  They have helped me break away from my perfectionist tendencies.  They still creep in, but I don't allow it to get in the way anymore.  I have learned to accept and love what emerges.

Doodling has helped here in a big way.  Knowing that what you are doing is "just doodling", puts your expectations at a lower level and makes you less judgmental.  You're likely to be less focused on the outcome.

If you continue to doodle, journal style, on a regular basis without judging the outcome, you will begin to see your own symbols and style emerge.  Keep at it, and your work will develop and transform itself while transforming you at the same time.  All you need to do is allow it to happen! 

Click here, to see how to set up a daily doodle journal.  

There will be moments when you really dislike what you created.  Fight the urge to throw them away.  In fact, I would suggest that you keep them and look at them often.  Allow what feelings or thoughts to come up.  They provide the secrets and clues to the issues that need attention.

I have found that the images that I dislike most, have revealed the most to me.  And when I took the time to "listen to their message", I eventually came to find them intriguing and sometimes ended up liking them more than the others.

Take the time when you can, even on a scrap of paper, and just take a few minutes to draw something - anything.  Are you feeling uneasy or conflicted on what to do?  Is there an overpowering thought directing what you "should" do?  Is it directing you away from something you would like to do?  That's the voice that gets no say in the matter!  Pay attention to how it is making you feel, but follow your heart instead.

There is no joy in following orders to do something you "should" do.  The joy is in the process of discovering and transforming what is deep within you.  Allow that to emerge and blossom!

It can take a long time if there have been a lot of barriers and tight controls.  But it will be very much like caring for a delicate, new plant in your garden.  You may not see much growth at first.  That's because what is underneath the surface is spreading out and developing its strength and foundation.  Once these roots are securely grounded, it will start to flourish.

Be patient though, there may be few or no flowers in the beginning.  Sometimes they won't show up until the next year.  But, when they do, it will be a burst of beauty.

Bringing out the beauty and light within you is worth the time and effort and is definitely worth waiting for!

Happy Doodling!

Unleashing Creativity - Finding Time for Your Passion



Doodle Therapy - Torn In All Directions - Patricia Kay



Sometimes there just isn't time for creativity.  Work and family obligations don't allow for the luxury of free time to indulge in the pure pleasure of creation.

As much as I believe that it is a healthy indulgence, I also believe that it is a therpuetic and healing necessity.

Many creativeas will tell you that long periods of time away from their creative activities is deeply frustrating.  Your passion, whatever it may be, is part of who you are, not just what you do.

Many more people don't think of themselves as creative at all or don't discover their creativity until later in life.  Somethimes, that unsettled stirring or unidentified anxiety that one feels is the calling of the creative spirit trying to break free.

I truly believe that not expressing or connecting with that part of yourself is very unhealthy for the spirit.  And when your spirit is lacking the nourishment it needs, it's only a matter of time before it has a negative effect on the body.

For me, not being able to do something creative on a regular basis, causes a lot of anxiety, tension and headaches.  I would love to spend hours every day engaging in whatever I find intriguing that day.  But, as it is with most of us, that is not my reality.

In an attempt to find a way to get some time in everyday to unleash that creativity and allow it to develop and transform, I started the Daily Doodle Journal.  Even if it is only five minutes, I try to take the time each day to get into the practice of letting the flow of the creative process  emerge naturally.  No preconceived ideas allowed.  I just follow what I feel at the moment.  A few minutes doodling or daydreaming calms and grounds me.  Whatever extra time I get, is a bonus.

I can't stress enough how beneficial it is to find whatever time you can for yourself.  Maybe early in the morning or before you go to bed, on your break or at lunch, you can find a few minutes to doodle, write, daydream or walk.  Just find a way to block out the rest of the world to allow the ideas to start flowing.

Put it off, lock it up or ignore if you want; but you will find that, like with any other thing that is neglected, it becomes rusty or out of shape.  Or worse, negative energy builds up.  The old concept, use it, or lose it, applies here.

If you don't know what your talent is, have fun in the process of finding out what it is.  Use your doodle journal to explore and write down new ideas.

If you know what your talent is, give it the time it derserves.  Your life will be filled with more happiness when you do. 

Most importantly, get connected or reconnected with your creative spirit by doing something you love or trying something new.  You don't have to be an expert or perfect - so don't compare yourself to others.

To me, bringing creativity into your life, is bringing joy into your life - and everyone needs more of that!

Happy Doodling!