Ask Missy ZNE!

What a Beauty!

I lovethis piece by Patti Koosed, can you tell me how she created this lovely piece?

 

Patti shares these techniques with us:

This is an original handmade 9 x 12 mixed media collage.

The background is a Vintage American Beauty Greeting Card Box lid.
Do any of you remember American Beauty Greeting Cards?

I added an image of a Young Victorian Women printed on photo paper.

Embellished it with blackberry leaves from my yard and black stick on jewel swirls by "Say It In Crystal" purchased from Walmart.

I then printed a Victorian Love Letter on a transparent sheet and layed that over the collage and then I printed it on photo paper.

This piece is available in my Etsy Shop. That link is on my blog page www.pchickki.etsy.com.
The name of my Etsy shop is Patricia Creations.

Hope you enjoy this collage. It was fun to do.

Play with some clay today!

 

I love making ATCs with cardstock backgrounds, but I'd like to expand my repoitoire of backgrounds.  What else can we make ATCs from?

 

Linda Donnelly shares this fabulous technique, using clay!

This is my best and most unusual aceo mixed collage card. I made the card itself from DAS an air hardening modelling clay in white. I rolled it out in the correct aceo card shape 3.5" x 2.5". Then I added a 3D circular mount for the picture of the renaissance woman. I let the card air dry for 2 days. Then I painted the background with a mixture of different Ranger Adirondak paints in greens and golds. The indented sides were painted with green paint. Then I glued a utee encased image of a beautiful woman to the circular mount and added an epoxy word "Beauty " to the side. There is an epoxy faded pink rose in the upper left side. Finally, I sprayed the entire card with a high gloss spray and let it dry. It dried with one side slightly tilted up which adds to its artist flair.

How does Linda B. create such amazing backgrounds for her artwork?

Bernice Wagnitz asked Linda this exact question, and this was the answer was kind enough to share:

Here is my red piece...a self portrait of sorts... I began with an image of me...using chalks to add a little colour, apply with cotton tips or chalking puffs.

A white gel pen and black felt tip were used to add swirls and other free hand doodling (have fun with it!).

Once you are satisfied with the look adhere the image to the canvas and spread texture paste around image (I used Jo Sonja's black), with a palette knife, the density is personal choice. draw swirls in the paste with the palette knife/awl or other tool.

You can allow it to dry on it's own or for added texture use your heat gun...it will bubble and blister and if it burns a little then that is ok because you will be painting over it :)

Once it is atleast touch dry paint with acrylic paints and a damp sea sponge, heat again for more texture and to dry off the paint.

Smear with a little Rub n' Buff or Treasure Gold, this will highlight the texture nicely.
To finish your piece off use some stamped words, doodling and perhaps a little Kindy Glitz to make it sparkle.

Thanks for sharing that Linda!

Good Solid Coverage!

Hi!

What is the best glaze/medium to coat an ATC or other collage piece with that gives good solid coverage without a lot of high shine to it?

Thanks!

Lesley

This is a common question for mixed media artists.  There is no one answer, and in fact what product/s you use to finish and seal your artwork depends on your own personal preferences.  You can review more on this topic, in the post you'll find by clicking here.

In terms of your specific question, in order to avoid a glossy shine, you will want to look for a finishing product that says that it is "matte."  Missy ZNE suggests you try a matte fixative spray, for a quick even and non-shiny finish.

Hi!

What is the best glaze/medium to coat an ATC or other collage piece with that gives good solid coverage without a lot of high shine to it?

Thanks!

Lesley

This is a common question for mixed media artists.  There is no one answer, and in fact what product/s you use to finish and seal your artwork depends on your own personal preferences.  You can review more on this topic, in the post you'll find by clicking here.

In terms of your specific question, in order to avoid a glossy shine, you will want to look for a finishing product that says that it is "matte."  Missy ZNE suggests you try a matte fixative spray, for a quick even and non-shiny finish.

The answer is transparent!

one of the books i've been using for tips says you can create transparencies from images using an acrylic medium... would you happen to know what works best for this? i've tried two different things but haven't been satisfied with the results...

thanx

jessica

There is no one answer to your question.  It comes down to a matter of preference.  There are many different techniques for creating transparencies to use in your art.  The results can be quite exquisite.  The method you choose will depend on many things - including the base on which you are applying the transparency, the end result you are looking for (textured? smooth? etc.), and of course the supplies you have on hand, as well!

If you are trying to narrow down your options in order to find the method that works best for you - Missy ZNE has two suggestions:

Check out ZNE Member Claudine Hellmuth's fabulous book - Collage Discovery Workshop.  The ZNE Book Club read this book as their June selection, and the book includes a number of wonderful transfer techniques.

Next, ask your question on the ZNE Talk discussion boards.  Our members are very generous with their skills and expertise, and this is the best place to get a broad range of opinions on any art technique.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZNEtalk/

Good luck, and have fun!

one of the books i've been using for tips says you can create transparencies from images using an acrylic medium... would you happen to know what works best for this? i've tried two different things but haven't been satisfied with the results...

thanx

jessica

There is no one answer to your question.  It comes down to a matter of preference.  There are many different techniques for creating transparencies to use in your art.  The results can be quite exquisite.  The method you choose will depend on many things - including the base on which you are applying the transparency, the end result you are looking for (textured? smooth? etc.), and of course the supplies you have on hand, as well!

If you are trying to narrow down your options in order to find the method that works best for you - Missy ZNE has two suggestions:

Check out ZNE Member Claudine Hellmuth's fabulous book - Collage Discovery Workshop.  The ZNE Book Club read this book as their June selection, and the book includes a number of wonderful transfer techniques.

Next, ask your question on the ZNE Talk discussion boards.  Our members are very generous with their skills and expertise, and this is the best place to get a broad range of opinions on any art technique.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZNEtalk/

Good luck, and have fun!

Which glossy goo is best for you?

I have found an artist who is making collages on canvas and putting thick archival gloss on them. What is this? I want to also do collages on canvas with found objects such as jewelry, keys, etc as well as paper, cardboard and origami and fabric too. What type of shellac or gloss do I need to use? Also depending on what type of medium you use to finish your artwork can you roll it up and send it that way or does it need to be sent flat? I would appreciate your answers. thanks. cm

 

Ah yes, the goo and glue questions.  This is actually one of the most frequent issues we encounter as mixed media artists - oh, if I could memorize every answer!  I'd change my name from Missy ZNE to Mz. Guru of Glue.

Truth is, your questions don't have one set answer - but rather, each artist has his or her preferences - and so we start with this:

Experiment.

There are so many forms of adding a protective or aesthetic finish on a piece of art, it would be difficult to list them all here.  There are sprays, paints, and more.  You can opt for a matte finish, a glossy finish, or a high gloss finish.  When working with three dimensional pieces, you may opt to put finish around them, or directly on them.  If they are enclosed or encased in small boxes or tins, you might choose to leave them as are, or fill in the entire compartment with a resin or the like.

The look you are seeking may be best served by dusting your piece with a quick spray of gloss or matte fixative.  Then again, you may have to pull out the chemistry set (practically) and lay down layer after layer of pristine bubble-less resin setting.  It's really up to you.

In terms of rolling your artwork, a practice that is more common and less damaging to the artwork when you are talking about tubed art prints, dry (!) paintings, and/or drawings - it would not be recommended for original mixed media works.  You would compromise and possible crack, bubble or warp the finish on top of the art, but there is also a probability of breaking the bond of the glue and/or cracking or breaking the fixed three dimensional pieces if you roll them.   You are much better advised to use a large flat portfolio for transporting the work - OR to create high quality (flat) prints of your work, if you want to travel with the images to show them, but feel that rolling them would be the best way to transport them.

Finally, missy ZNE suggests you give a very light coat of modge podge or decoupage glue a try for a high gloss finish on a three dimensional piece.  I do also know that others could not live without having gel medium, which can be applied in multiple coats, as their preferred finish.

Hope this info helps.  Experiment and have fun.  You may prefer the heavier or milky finish of some finishing products, while you may find that a thin shiny gloss brings out the perfection in your piece. 

Anyone want to add their glossy goo preferences here, please feel free to leave a comment!

I have found an artist who is making collages on canvas and putting thick archival gloss on them. What is this? I want to also do collages on canvas with found objects such as jewelry, keys, etc as well as paper, cardboard and origami and fabric too. What type of shellac or gloss do I need to use? Also depending on what type of medium you use to finish your artwork can you roll it up and send it that way or does it need to be sent flat? I would appreciate your answers. thanks. cm

 

Ah yes, the goo and glue questions.  This is actually one of the most frequent issues we encounter as mixed media artists - oh, if I could memorize every answer!  I'd change my name from Missy ZNE to Mz. Guru of Glue.

Truth is, your questions don't have one set answer - but rather, each artist has his or her preferences - and so we start with this:

Experiment.

There are so many forms of adding a protective or aesthetic finish on a piece of art, it would be difficult to list them all here.  There are sprays, paints, and more.  You can opt for a matte finish, a glossy finish, or a high gloss finish.  When working with three dimensional pieces, you may opt to put finish around them, or directly on them.  If they are enclosed or encased in small boxes or tins, you might choose to leave them as are, or fill in the entire compartment with a resin or the like.

The look you are seeking may be best served by dusting your piece with a quick spray of gloss or matte fixative.  Then again, you may have to pull out the chemistry set (practically) and lay down layer after layer of pristine bubble-less resin setting.  It's really up to you.

In terms of rolling your artwork, a practice that is more common and less damaging to the artwork when you are talking about tubed art prints, dry (!) paintings, and/or drawings - it would not be recommended for original mixed media works.  You would compromise and possible crack, bubble or warp the finish on top of the art, but there is also a probability of breaking the bond of the glue and/or cracking or breaking the fixed three dimensional pieces if you roll them.   You are much better advised to use a large flat portfolio for transporting the work - OR to create high quality (flat) prints of your work, if you want to travel with the images to show them, but feel that rolling them would be the best way to transport them.

Finally, missy ZNE suggests you give a very light coat of modge podge or decoupage glue a try for a high gloss finish on a three dimensional piece.  I do also know that others could not live without having gel medium, which can be applied in multiple coats, as their preferred finish.

Hope this info helps.  Experiment and have fun.  You may prefer the heavier or milky finish of some finishing products, while you may find that a thin shiny gloss brings out the perfection in your piece. 

Anyone want to add their glossy goo preferences here, please feel free to leave a comment!

Altered Everything ~ Everything Altered

I am going to be in Northern California this weekend.  What would be the best, most exciting and worthwhile thing for me to do?

Signed,

My Time is Valuable.

Without a doubt, the ZNE Altered Everything, Everything Altered Workshop is the place to be!  Check it out:

I am going to be in Northern California this weekend.  What would be the best, most exciting and worthwhile thing for me to do?

Signed,

My Time is Valuable.

Without a doubt, the ZNE Altered Everything, Everything Altered Workshop is the place to be!  Check it out:

Oh, Peely Poo!

hello and Thanks for your time...I have tried several types of paints and primers for the children's hard books and it wants to peel up from that slick cover almost every time! any suggestions?

thanks again

Brenda

 

You have many options creating altered books from board books or vintage "Golden" books - which also have that "slick cover."

You can always work with the cover and/or pages with the slick coating in tact.  This will limit some of your options for decor.  Stickers will likely work - and you can always do your decor on stickers and then add them.  You should still be able to carve, cut, and otherwise alter the pages with sharp instruments.  Certainly you can tie fibers and glue embellishments in place.  (Experiment with the proper type of glue, to be safe.

However, if you want to paint or prime the cover/pages - the secret is you will first need to remove or "deslick" the surface.  You can do this in a number of different ways.  Missy ZNE always suggests you experiment with different techniques and find the one that works best for you or your project. 

One option is to use a razer (or sharp fingernail) to peel up a tiny corner and continue peeling as much as possible of the coating, off the page entirely.  You may have to return several time to restart a peeling point.

Another option is to use a fine gauge sandpaper, and lightly sand the coating, until all the shiny surface is removed.  You can then prime with gesso, gel medium, or the like.

Finally, you may want to "resurface" you pages as opposed to desurfacing them.  In other words - recover the pages in a paper or medium you can work on more easily than the existing slick surface.  The DIY Network website offers a quick tutorial on one such method:

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_books_boxes_boards/article/0,2025,DIY_13746_5206198,00.html

Whatever you choose to do - practice, have fun, and remember - there are no mistakes, only new creative directions - in altered art!