greenpepperpressblog

Tag: cardboard

cool tools

I've been enjoying the slow collection of vintage tools. So many of our devices are plastic, that it's really nice to come across an old once-loved and well-used tool for my studio. The tracing wheels are terrific for rolling in paint and then frolic up a page, or better yet, poking through a corrugated cardboard surface. The newer ones aren't as pokey, with much smoother edges on the wheel. The old ones may not be safe but they can assist you to do cool stuff. The awls are so nice to hold, and they force nice holes. I am so happy to have a toolbox that is filling up with these treasures.

Inspired by Louise Nevelson's monochromatic assemblages with emphasis on shadows, I have been manipulating surfaces in cardboard as part of demo sample for the Debris Journal workshop in July. Similar to working in altered books, where I believe it is much more interesting to alter the text and minimally modify the page with subtle markings versus full-on coverage with paint and collage material, I think that starting a cardboard journal should be all about how to respect the material and then determine methods of achieving interest with clever cuts, folds, and punctures. Below you can see some examples I'm preparing – the die-cut circles and the bull-nose corners were part of a cardboard package. I can never resist unusual findings when it comes to cardboard as they make for great pages in the journal.

Below is another vintage tool – a man-made protractor for determining angles. Some person scored in these lines with precision. Amazing, don't you think? Found on ebay about ten years ago!

I love that these tools belonged to someone. I love that there must be stories about how they were used. I really wish I could rub the wood and learn the history. Since I can't do that I will just carry the artisan in my heart when I'm working with their tools.

June 12, 2013
i love art: matchboxes

Continuing my declarations of art love for the month of February….the new Somerset Studio arrived yesterday so I thought I would talk about matchboxes, the subject of my Make It Your Own column. I started using matchboxes a few years back when I was interested in making mini shrines. I love that they are on standby, ready to assist me in projects, in a bin on my studio table. And when they are pre-painted it's even better. Recently I started embedding them into canvas surfaces. I had so much fun doing it – the possibilites are endless with what you can put in them, how to compose your piece, and I thought it would make a great class so I'm teaching RECESS at Art Is You, Stamford, CT in October. Get it? The boxes are recessed, plus taking a workshop is like getting to play at recess. I crack myself up! So here are some of the pieces that appear in the article.

February 21, 2013
i love art: matchboxes

Continuing my declarations of art love for the month of February….the new Somerset Studio arrived yesterday so I thought I would talk about matchboxes, the subject of my Make It Your Own column. I started using matchboxes a few years back when I was interested in making mini shrines. I love that they are on standby, ready to assist me in projects, in a bin on my studio table. And when they are pre-painted it's even better. Recently I started embedding them into canvas surfaces. I had so much fun doing it – the possibilites are endless with what you can put in them, how to compose your piece, and I thought it would make a great class so I'm teaching RECESS at Art Is You, Stamford, CT in October. Get it? The boxes are recessed, plus taking a workshop is like getting to play at recess. I crack myself up! So here are some of the pieces that appear in the article.

February 21, 2013
day seven: cardboard

Dang! I forgot to move this post from draft to publish. So here is day seven of I Love Art. You're probably tired of seeing me post about cardboard but it's the thing I'm heavily into right now. I've had some fun reformatting the binding for the upcoming workshops, Debris Journal, and I've been trying out some new techniques on this wonderful surface too.

I can't stop making these journals, and filling them up with the stuff that floats around the perimeter of this place. Here's how it started: I always use cardboard on my work table or under my spray painted projects out on the grass. Typically the scraps gets slathered in run-off paint – either acrylic as I paint substrates, or spray paint when I'm f;ailing stencils around. I could never part with the pieces because they just looked so cool so I began vutting them down and binding them together as a book. Each page had interesting marks and provided a wonderful start for additional paint or collage.

Everytime a break down a box to go into the recycling bin I end up hijacking some of it for the studio stash. Can't beat easy access to art-making supplies. These are fun to make and so addictive! I feel like I'm ready to take my cardboard to a new level, especially after seeing some of the cool dimensional or sculptural art made with corrugated cardboard.

February 8, 2013
day seven: cardboard

Dang! I forgot to move this post from draft to publish. So here is day seven of I Love Art. You're probably tired of seeing me post about cardboard but it's the thing I'm heavily into right now. I've had some fun reformatting the binding for the upcoming workshops, Debris Journal, and I've been trying out some new techniques on this wonderful surface too.

I can't stop making these journals, and filling them up with the stuff that floats around the perimeter of this place. Here's how it started: I always use cardboard on my work table or under my spray painted projects out on the grass. Typically the scraps gets slathered in run-off paint – either acrylic as I paint substrates, or spray paint when I'm f;ailing stencils around. I could never part with the pieces because they just looked so cool so I began vutting them down and binding them together as a book. Each page had interesting marks and provided a wonderful start for additional paint or collage.

Everytime a break down a box to go into the recycling bin I end up hijacking some of it for the studio stash. Can't beat easy access to art-making supplies. These are fun to make and so addictive! I feel like I'm ready to take my cardboard to a new level, especially after seeing some of the cool dimensional or sculptural art made with corrugated cardboard.

February 8, 2013
just arrived

It's a rainy day and I'm in the midst of a studio purge. A good day to stay in and get organized…but I had to step out the back door and shoot some new spray color through the new stencils that just arrived. Gah!

Love them!! This was a three minute study – can't wait for a nice fall day to get outside and play some more. For now, it's back to sorting the piles of supplies that had gotten to the point of being dangerous. Seriously, one might consider wearing a haz-mat suit in here…you never know what you might step on! It's nearly under control….one more day (she says with optimism).

Links: StencilGirlProducts.com, GreenPepperPress.com

Also, just arrived….a little treat for me. I couldn't resist! This beautiful jewelry is my latest Etsy find from Anne Marie Bottcher at Silvan Arts. (blogged with permission).

October 2, 2012
just arrived

It's a rainy day and I'm in the midst of a studio purge. A good day to stay in and get organized…but I had to step out the back door and shoot some new spray color through the new stencils that just arrived. Gah!

Love them!! This was a three minute study – can't wait for a nice fall day to get outside and play some more. For now, it's back to sorting the piles of supplies that had gotten to the point of being dangerous. Seriously, one might consider wearing a haz-mat suit in here…you never know what you might step on! It's nearly under control….one more day (she says with optimism).

Links: StencilGirlProducts.com, GreenPepperPress.com

Also, just arrived….a little treat for me. I couldn't resist! This beautiful jewelry is my latest Etsy find from Anne Marie Bottcher at Silvan Arts. (blogged with permission).

October 2, 2012
When is canning season?

Ha! Canning season, I wouldn't know. I don't can. I don't garden….except for roses. But I have been collecting cans for other purposes. See below….Liquitex has a new spray paint. I read about it today and just had to go get some and try it out (because I'm impulsive, and I was lonely at home without kids). A fine array of colors. A very nice matte finish. Low odor. Nice nozzle and round spray radius. Clever packaging with color indicator dome. Super easy clean-up because it's WATER BASED. They claim you can paint acrylic right over it. I will try that tomorrow. Might have to go back for more colors. Michael's has a special: buy two get one free. They are pricey so it's a nice deal. Consider me the lab monkey. I approve.

LINKS: Spray paint, available at Michaels, by Liquitex. Stencils, available at GreenPepperPress.com or StencilGirlProducts.com

On the subject of cans…..these new Warhol commemoratives, found (by accident) at Target! Had to get one of each. Tore off the label (actually, surgically removed with great care) and will put in my journal. I think my pages may curl up from fright, having never hosted so much color. I will be sporting my soup shoes later this month at the Met for a new show: Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.

Note: the shoes are by Icon and are no longer in their collection. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a pair on ebay like I did. Bag and figures were gifts, no resource available.

September 5, 2012
When is canning season?

Ha! Canning season, I wouldn't know. I don't can. I don't garden….except for roses. But I have been collecting cans for other purposes. See below….Liquitex has a new spray paint. I read about it today and just had to go get some and try it out (because I'm impulsive, and I was lonely at home without kids). A fine array of colors. A very nice matte finish. Low odor. Nice nozzle and round spray radius. Clever packaging with color indicator dome. Super easy clean-up because it's WATER BASED. They claim you can paint acrylic right over it. I will try that tomorrow. Might have to go back for more colors. Michael's has a special: buy two get one free. They are pricey so it's a nice deal. Consider me the lab monkey. I approve.

LINKS: Spray paint, available at Michaels, by Liquitex. Stencils, available at GreenPepperPress.com or StencilGirlProducts.com

On the subject of cans…..these new Warhol commemoratives, found (by accident) at Target! Had to get one of each. Tore off the label (actually, surgically removed with great care) and will put in my journal. I think my pages may curl up from fright, having never hosted so much color. I will be sporting my soup shoes later this month at the Met for a new show: Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years.

Note: the shoes are by Icon and are no longer in their collection. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a pair on ebay like I did. Bag and figures were gifts, no resource available.

September 5, 2012
i’m glowing

What a fabulous event! The nervous anticipation quickly melted away as I walked into the classroom and started meeting the enthusiastic artists who came ready to learn, make connections, and crank out some really cool work. It was a joy to embrace old friends, to be introduced to faces with familiar names, and to meet so many new creatives at this venue. It was a great location, was so well run, and was just pure fun. I love the energy that fills a room when open minds and open hearts are on full display. I wish I would have taken more photos as evidence because I loved what I saw on the tables – each artist bringing their own flair to the process. It was a beautiful thing to witness. I am glowing.

Special thanks to Maggie, Rebecca, Bev, and Jenn, for having me and hosting CREATE NJ. I look forward to next year! Same time, same place. Thanks to all the shoppers who stopped by my table on vendor night. Fallon was my assistant, and felt like a rock star :) The biggest thanks goes to my students, especially the repeat offenders who came for both classes. YOU ALL ROCKED. While I hope you will continue working in your journals and keep trying some of the things we did, the most important thing I hope you take away from the weekend is the enthusiasm for creativity. *blows kisses*

July 23, 2012