More Surface design adventures…

Learning about surface design is like learning an entirely new language. Substrates? Inkaid? What will go through my printer and (a) actually print an image and (b) what won’t wreck my printer? It’s been an exciting adventure – somewhat challenging, but rewarding when an image prints correctly.

Painting on paper – got it. Painting on watercolor or regular printer paper – easy. Painting on foil tape – what? Painting on cut-away interfacing – who knew? Painting on cheesecloth – messy! Painting on silk organza - lovely but very delicate! So, still a lot of practice happening, but kudos to Wen Redmond who has a lovely, gracious, fun way to teach. Totally stress free, learning at my own pace, and a genuinely encouraging group of artists.

I’ve taken thousands of pictures, so part of this process is choosing what to use, from flowers to garden lights and antique farm equipment, what can be combined to make an interesting image? Here are 2 of the images I’m working with this week, both from my own photographs, although taken years apart. I love how crisp and clean my flower photos usually are, and how rustic and industrial the farm equipment is, but part of the challenge for me, as an artist, is, again, combining images to form a cohesive message or inspiring art. It’s a process…

Beth