Paper Stack

I have an idea for the rainbow catalog strips I folded last month.  

I realized it was very similar to the fused fabric layer in the stacked totem piece I finished recently. I like that piece and I've gotten good feedback.

So I'm going to make a similar piece using just paper and this folded rainbow spectrum will will be one of the layers of the stack.

My next step was to stitch the paper strips onto a piece of interfacing covering up the stitching line as I put down the next layer. I still can add decorative stitching that will show...but I'll make that decision later.

    

I used a piece of paper with a tick mark as a guide as I placed each row to try and keep things fairly lined up. I do have a tendency to veer off the straight and narrow path....so to speak.  Now I'm auditioning papers and brainstorming what the other layers might be. I'm going to take inspiration from the fabric piece and be sure to keep some layers more solid and textural. I have an unusual but appropriate canvas in mind for this one.  More soon.

What You Know

"Work on what you know and what you know for sure you love."

Lynne sent me this quote on a sweet handmade tag....it helps cheer her on when she needs a jump start. I took it literally today.

After auditioning the tissue collage with my folded paper piece I realized it wasn't the texture I needed.  The catalog pages are matte and even though I used matte medium for the collage they don't seem like a right fit.

I will certainly use it...but for now I set it aside and worked with what I know I love...the catalog pages.  And I used a technique that I also know and love....fusing!

I ironed fusible webbing onto the back of a few colorful pages from the Gundrun's World catalogs.  I chose to fuse because I didn't want to overcoat or have any issues with glue...I wanted a clean, matte finish. I discovered that the fusible pages could be punched so for the first round I fused squares onto a stabilizer.  I started with a row on the diagonal...then built from there. Because the squares had fusible on the back...all I had to do was lightly press with an iron. I used a pressing cloth at the end to give it a good final press.

I like it....but it wasn't quite right either. It was a little too orderly and reminded me of the paper chains we used to make with gum wrappers growing up. I think I might have liked it better if I had fused the squares straight.

Next I fused some wonky strips together making a striped band....I can work with this! The vertical lines will be a nice contrast to the horizontal ones in the folded layer.

I will use it as a narrow insert between other art papers as part of the totem.

I'm still auditioning art papers...and may manipulate some a bit. But for now this stack is being set aside because it needs time and space....and a little mulling. I know it has potential. Onto more things I know I love....and maybe even a little cleaning.

Stacked Totem

I finally mounted my first stacked piece which measures 6 by 24 and I'm very pleased. 

I'm quite inspired by art "totems" and now that it's mounted that's what it feels like. I love the way the design wraps around the canvas...it feels crisp and artful.  Yay!...or maybe I should say Phew!

I glued down the top surface that was reinforced with interfacing using medium and let it dry under heavy books. After clipping the corners I wrapped and fused the edges to the board using a hot iron and a pressing cloth.  It was a little fiddly...and I needed both hands and both knees....but it went pretty well.



I'm looking forward to playing with more of these and coming up with interesting patterns and schemes. I'm also wanting to incorporate mixed media...maybe fibers, beads and/or papers. I'll have to practice restraint because I'm going to avoid buttons this time around...trying to be less "crafty" and more arty with this series.

Here's a larger image where you can see the details.