The Legacy Series

I had a lot of fun with this little series of four six inch chunky canvases.  There are layers and layers on these pieces!

I started out by writing all over the face of each of the canvases.  I did some marking with oil pastels and added a tiny bit of color.  Gesso went on top of that, then a collage of book pages, cheesecloth, music sheets, Citra Solv papers, and corrugated cardboard scraps. I added some shading gray and sepia high flow paints until I had a big soupy mess on each of the canvases.

The next morning, after it had all had a chance to dry, I started adding another layer of collage. I used dictionary definitions, an old photo, film negatives, and this reproduction photo by Tim Holtz.  When I use heavy paper like this in collage, I like to peel the front and back apart to make it thinner. The bonus on these reproductions is that they have a fun back side too that I can use on something else!

After more collage, came more writing.  I used a ink pen dipped in F.W. acrylic sepia ink and a white Sharpie paint pen.

The next step was a little scary.  I put a very thick coat of matte gel medium over the entire surface.  I was shooting for a hint of an encaustic look.

Eventually it did start to dry and my images began to reappear, though more muted.

So now I do more mark making, some of it scratched right into the surface.  I added more handwriting, and added another embellishment as a focal point. I melted a piece of negative for one, added a vintage key, a feather…

I like to finish the sides as well on these thick canvases.

All done!

These canvases will be available at Tessera Fine Art Gallery later this week.  They are $35 each.  Call the gallery at (316) 262-2435 if you are interested!

If you would like to attend a workshop to create your own art in a similar style, call the gallery to sign up for “Paying Tribute” -July 9