Mixed Media with Jane LaFazio, Class 5

We're winding down, and it's so sad ... I often say that I wish the class was an ALL-DAY CLASS, and that it went longer than six weeks. But 6 weeks is a reasonable length of time for people to commit to, so I "get" that. But all day .. now THAT would be lovely.

So. Class Five. So many beautiful finished, or near-finished works of art.

this seed pod inspired work from LINDA

this digitally-manipulated photo art by KENNETH,

featuring Jane's shoes & socks

and Liz's HAPPY BUNNY with DANGLIES piece !!!

Rachel, sharing Kenneth's finished "CHAOS" work ...

We also had WORKS IN PROGRESS to share:

Michaelanne's "I SEE PARIS" canvas,

ready for next steps

and Jean's two canvas grounds, ready to go ...

So much good sharing. So much information! I find that the SHARING offers up as much "teaching" and "learning" as the structured lesson sometimes.

I learned or was reminded that:

One can use GLOSSY medium to make things shine

One can use GOLD THREAD to stitch things, to make them special
One should always save their magazines & catalogs, for INSPIRATION
One can print an image on PRINTABLE CANVAS & then cut out bits to collage
into their work
One should always THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX when creating

Yvonne used MOULDING PASTE with a stencil in creating her work
Linda then played with that, making darling CHAIR SILHOUETTES on cardstock

Rachel used MELALEUCA BARK in a piece of her art - textural, interesting

Kenneth loves SHINY

Glenda loves working with FABRIC

Liz worked with an 8 year old girl and lots of BUNNIES to just "HAVE FUN"
Lauren collects OLD TYPEWRITERS & found great inspiration in Sunday's paper

One can pick up FREE BOOKS outside most public Libraries ...

And there was so much more shared ... it's ALL good.

But wait - there's more.

WHAT WE WORKED ON IN CLASS - THE LESSON:

Jane showed us how she "finishes" these painted/textured canvases backgrounds that we worked on all last week ... By different techniques with the same result, she APPLIES an image on top of the canvas {I opted to use the 'tissue paper that disappears when medium dries' method for my first attempt} ...

but here is one of Jane's methods - she FINDS INSPIRATION, she CREATES HER OWN IMAGE on tracing paper, SHE GRAPHITE-TRANSFERS THAT IMAGE ONTO HER CANVAS, SHE MARKS OVER THE OUTLINE IN SHARPIE (permanent ink), and then SHE FILLS IN THE DESIGN WITH PAINT, BEADING, STITCHING, COLLAGED BITS OF PAPER, etc ...

a finished POPPIES piece, next to INSPIRATION - birds

at right, Jane's background canvas & Jane's new sketch

Jane covering the back of her sketch with GRAPHITE

after that image was transferred onto the canvas, Jane goes over the design in PERMANENT INK (ie, Sharpie pen)

Jane's POMEGRANTE coming to life ...

AND THEN, there's this method:

one traces one's IMAGE onto Artist's Tissue Paper with a SHARPIE or other permanent pen {I used a PITT, but I think Sharpie would be better} and one trims excess tissue from around edge; then one places that image on their canvas to get placement just right {this is MY work here ...}

next, one applies MATTE MEDIUM {I use Liquitex brand} to the canvas BENEATH where your tissue will be applied ... THEN, gently apply Matte Medium OVER your tissue to adhere, smoothing out bubbles, wrinkles, etc ...

BE CAREFUL not to tear the tissue though -- BUT IF YOU DO, you can simply SMEAR THE WHOLE THING AWAY and start over {Jane showed us how, and then -- sure enough -- I had to do it, too !!!}

and now, VOILA - a bird on a branch, drying until next steps !!! {looking a bit gray here - that's the medium, drying - don't know why, other than the ink may have bled a bit ???}

THIS BLOG POST SET A NEW RECORD -- my longest ever, my most illustrated ever, and it took me 1 1/2 hours to put it all together !!!

-- Princess Magpie