Hello Friends,
I’ve been playing around with a lot of different mediums lately. I can’t seem to settle down and focus on any one thing right now. Maybe it’s a time of exploration and experimentation.
I’m drawn to collage and working on finding my voice and my own style in that medium. Here’s a small one that I put together the other day. I don’t usually use words in my art, and I’m enjoying including them in these pieces.
“Happy,” 12 x 12 inches, mixed media on wood panel
I’m also working on some large pieces on canvas using rust marks and Brazilwood plant dye. The picture below shows the first stage of a 4- x 5-foot piece with rust marks made using rebar.
Brazilwood dye starts out fuchsia and turns grayish-purple when it interacts with iron from the rust.
Below is the second stage of this piece, after binding with string, boiling and soaking in the dye.
And this is how it looks after the second binding and dyeing. It’s not done yet, but it’s coming along, and I’m happy with the colors.
One of my challenges is hanging these large pieces. I could crop them and stretch them in the traditional manner, but then I lose the sides. I thought they might look nice hanging loose, like a tapestry, but I’m not sure what type of hanging system will complement the natural and contemporary look of the work.
What are you exploring these days? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
Hi Cassandra, love the rust piece. For a natural look your could suspend it from a tree branch. Or a black iron rod & hardware. Love your inventiveness in using natural dyes.
Thanks for the suggestions, Holly. So maybe I could just use black drapery hardware.