Many times people ask me how I make my paintings. In my opinion, it’s much more fun doing the actual art than it is talking about it. But I understand because I’m the same way with writers and other artists. I love asking questions and talking about stories and certain pieces. Basically, I use layers of paper, acrylic glazes and found objects to create a story.
I wanted to lay this out in writing, because sometimes the explanation gets to be a little much to speak at a live art show where there’s a lot vying for our attention. In the midst of chattering people, other folks trying to see the work in my booth or area and the asker’s inevitable waning of interest in my description—which is inevitable, with how I go on sometimes—here’s a short list of my process:
- I start with a hardboard panel or nested board (like Apostrophe brand), but have used canvas. I love the first two because I can affix found objects more easily.
- I gesso the board and let it dry.
- Choosing ephemera (loose papers, tickets, currency, or other paper), I adhere them to the substrate, trying not to overlap too severely, as I will be drawing or adhering a detailed image over it. I am working on an option where I can silkscreen type and designs onto the background instead of the paper, but I think I like the paper better. Still, experimentation is fun! I make sure to add ephemera to the sides of the nested panel (which is, essentially, a box about 1-7/8” deep).
- I put a matte glaze—usually with Mod Podge or just matte medium—over the adhered paper. This prevents pigment from soaking into the paper, which I don’t want at this point.
- When the medium is dry, I run a tinted glaze over the whole piece. Sometimes I use bronzes and browns, sometimes a mix of brighter colors. It depends on how I want the final piece to be.
- At this point, it’s time to decide on images. I paint hummingbirds, butterflies and other things for my licensing, so after I’ve scanned those I cut them out. I also root through old paper paintings for things to cut out. I also choose a ‘main character’. Sometimes I stay with a butterfly or hummingbird, and sometimes I create a whole new one, such as a raven or a woman.
- I place all of those, adhere them, being sure the edges are sealed with the adherent, and add any found objects. My ‘Red Fish’ and ‘Blue Fish’, which are fishes cut out of ¾” smooth plywood, have an old key, watch parts and jewelry parts on them.
- After that, I decorate the parts with paint or paint markers.
- When everything is dry, I glaze it with gloss medium. This pops the color, though for two of my pieces which were buildings I used matte medium to glaze, just to seal things in.
- That’s it! After a few days of final drying, I wire the back to make it ready to hang!
I will try to post some pictures of all of this, as I’m sure that helps! Feel free to ask me any questions!
