So here is the finished first experimental piece combining modelling paste, glass bead gel, crackle paste, home-made air dried paper clay, acrylic inks, iridescent medium, acrylic satin varnish and found objects from the beach on stretched canvas 60 x 20 cms. The piece is more vibrant than the camera shows with a lovely shimmer from the iridescent medium and inks. Continue reading Fishing for compliments
Following my research and experiments into the realm of paper clay, I came across an amazing website with recipes. I was invited to write a guest post with my findings which went online yesterday. So here is the link. It talks about the differences of using ready-made joint filler versus dry powdered, with images of some test pieces. I wanted to learn how to make this type of clay for my latest project idea which combines different sculptural and textured mediums. I used the paper clay to make small hand formed shapes and in a silicone mould to make shells. They are lovely and light, so they won’t add too much weight to the pieces. They dried in a day too as they are nice and thin. The clay recipe does state that it should be applied in thin layers as too much may not dry in the middle and eventually rot. Therefore it is ideal for small features and very small moulds. Next stage is trying out the inks. Continue reading Paper clay tests
New goodies have started arriving and I’ve started testing them out. Gesso can be a bit of a hit and miss affair…the really cheap stuff is mostly cheap white acrylic paint mixed with a binder and dries shiny so I would recommend going for something mid priced to get a decent product. Of course that depends on what you are using it for. I wanted a shine free matt finish that I could work into to get marks, textures etc and then apply inks. For a primer to then apply acrylic paint, the cheap stuff would work fine. I am going to make my own gesso soon with plaster of paris so that will be for another time. These images are on a long canvas with cheap gesso and various mark making which produced a very thin layer and glossy finish. Not really what I wanted but may be useful on a different project, or, I may add some plaster to it. Continue reading Adding some texture
With all this stay at home time I have, I find myself looking for new ways of doing and being. Social media seems to have taken a major backseat and I am researching new mediums and materials to take my artwork and creative projects into 2021. Years ago I started my Elemental Colours range of trifold cards and wall hangings which became collectable and treasured. Back then I used to take a stand in the craft fairs in Ireland and had an agent to sell my cards. They were made from coloured tissue papers, handmade papers, Moroccan sabra threads, gilt threads and found objects like tiny tiny shells. They depicted the five elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Metal and Air… Continue reading Elemental Colours
Karima Rebecca Powell Artist 