Citra Solv Discovery

One of my favorite art mediums is using CitraSolv concentrated cleaner on National Geographic pages to dissolve the deep, rich inks into unexpected designs and effects which can be used as elements in your collage and mixed media artwork.

I like to have a big CitraSolv “party” once in awhile where I make big stacks of CitraSolv papers to have on hand for my arting needs. I cover the table with an old vinyl tablecloth, and have at it. I like to tear apart old National Geographic magazines so the pages are already separated. Then, working with stacks of 7-10 pages, I spray CitraSolv between each page. I spray pretty generously, then put the soggy stack in a 9×13 inch pan to catch the inky dredge that will ooze out. I let them sit about 5 minutes, and then start peeling apart the pages to see what will emerge. Less time leaves more of the image, and more time gives more of a bubbled pattern effect. Peel apart the wet pages and lay out on the table, or better yet, once they are no longer “drippy” hang on a clothesline to dry.

Here are some resources for your own CitraSolv project:

Cathy Taylor’s instructional video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GOGK_BmyY&list=UUQoysbJNEmZrtbP7aFTiBKg

CitraSolv Artist Site

http://www.citrasolv.com/art/index.html

To view my art on the CitraSolv Artist Site

http://www.citrasolv.com/art/Kayann.html

And, for my Somerset Studio magazine article on using CitraSolv

http://stampington.com/somerset-studio/Somerset-Studio-Sep-Oct-2012