The design problem from Artwork Components this month was to upcycle. Or, extra particularly, to “create one thing utilizing repurposed objects. it may be a stupendous piece of artwork, a helpful sensible merchandise or one thing that mixes each.” I used glass bottles and jars, together with craft objects and artwork media, to make three items for this problem. Consumerism is the antithesis of upcycling, so, though I desperately needed to buy extra provides, I restricted myself to utilizing solely issues already in my residence.
I’m a fan of what I prefer to name useful artwork: that which mixes artwork with a sensible use. I determine, if I’ve to mud a factor, it might as nicely serve a goal whereas trying ornamental. I’m simply kidding: I don’t mud. However I’ve been utilizing combined media to transform glass jars previously crammed with my favourite condiment – salsa – into ornamental planters and utensil holders. See final month’s lizard-themed jars, for instance. The primary mission I labored on this month was one other of these jars, with a whale shark design.
Why a whale shark? Why not. Additionally, July is when “shark week” occurs on the Discovery channel. I don’t truly watch the sensationalized programming, however I can’t keep away from realizing that it’s taking place as a result of I do watch some tv daily. And I believe the thought of a whale shark specifically infiltrated my unconscious as a result of a number of of my pals posted hyperlinks on social media to a narrative a few man who claims to have been swallowed and spit out by a whale shark. {Science word: as filter feeders, whale sharks swim via the water with their mouths open, swallowing plankton and small fish. They will’t see what’s going into their mouths as a result of their eyes are to this point aside and stationed on the sides of their head.)
Sharks are wonderful creatures for thus many causes, not the least of which is the variety among the many species and the truth that there have been sharks swimming within the oceans for about 455 million years. Whale sharks are the most important species of shark, and the most important fish usually. The spot and stripe sample on whale sharks, which is a type of camouflage, is exclusive to every shark. I might go on for days about how superior sharks are, however this isn’t a weblog about sharks, so I gained’t.
Along with being a fan of sharks, I’m additionally a curator of empty glass bottles and jars in assorted sizes and styles. I can’t deliver myself to place them within the recycle bin. I’ve had plans – in my concepts journal – for a number of years to create altered bottles a la potion bottles. That’s what I used to be going to do for my different mission for this problem. However once I restricted myself to provides readily available, I needed to go in a distinct design route.
Collage and assemblage will not be typically my factor. I’m not comfy with the randomness of it. I do know it’s not technically random for those who’re doing it correctly. Nevertheless, the general impact is random and sometimes uneven. Doing that nicely is far more troublesome than it appears. However I’ve been intrigued by pinterest boards and needed to present it a strive. Fortunately for this buy-nothing-new problem, I already had the essential media wanted to prep bottles, glue issues to them, and paint them. Largely as a result of I take advantage of acrylic paint for different issues and have accomplished some decoupage tasks over time.
I’m unsure I went about including layers to my altered bottles the right method. For example, the gesso layer appeared to get brushed away as I used to be brushing on the paper layer. Did I not want the gesso layer? Ought to it have been thicker or left to dry longer? In many of the movies I watched, gesso was the primary layer and it didn’t appear to brush away. I don’t know. These first two tries are going to take a seat round my residence for some time so I can watch how they maintain up.
For each bottles I used solely acrylic paints so as to add shade. I went with dry brushing and rubbing on dabs of paint with my fingers to get a distressed end. My arms have been a large number and there’s nonetheless paint underneath my nails. May I’ve worn gloves? The place could be the enjoyable in that?
Neither of the 2 bottles I altered really feel completed. They each appear somewhat minimalist for assemblage. That’s partly as a result of I used to be hesitant to connect too many random issues on them. And it’s additionally as a result of I didn’t have readily available the scale or shapes of issues I needed so as to add. For instance, I’d like there to be some leaves or twigs across the flowers on the tall bottle. And perhaps some pearl accents. And I believe the highest of the smaller bottle wants a tall finial with some bling, amongst different issues. However right here is the place they’re for this problem given my self-imposed ban on shopping for extra issues. That’s it for me this month. Thanks a lot for stopping by.
