The design problem from Artwork Components this month was to upcycle. Or, extra particularly, to “create one thing utilizing repurposed gadgets. it may be an attractive piece of artwork, a helpful sensible merchandise or one thing that mixes each.” I used glass bottles and jars, together with craft gadgets and artwork media, to make three items for this problem. Consumerism is the antithesis of upcycling, so, regardless that I desperately wished to buy extra provides, I restricted myself to utilizing solely issues already in my dwelling.
I’m a fan of what I prefer to name purposeful artwork: that which mixes artwork with a sensible use. I determine, if I’ve to mud a factor, it might as nicely serve a function whereas trying ornamental. I’m simply kidding: I don’t mud. However I’ve been utilizing blended 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 undertaking 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 understanding that it’s occurring as a result of I do watch some tv day-after-day. And I believe the thought of a whale shark particularly infiltrated my unconscious as a result of a number of of my mates posted hyperlinks on social media to a narrative a couple of man who claims to have been swallowed and spit out by a whale shark. {Science be aware: as filter feeders, whale sharks swim by means of the water with their mouths open, swallowing plankton and small fish. They’ll’t see what’s going into their mouths as a result of their eyes are thus far aside and stationed on the sides of their head.)
Sharks are wonderful creatures for therefore many causes, not the least of which is the range 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 biggest species of shark, and the biggest fish basically. 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 received’t.
Along with being a fan of sharks, I’m additionally a curator of empty glass bottles and jars in assorted styles and sizes. 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 undertaking for this problem. However after I restricted myself to provides available, I needed to go in a unique design route.
Collage and assemblage should not typically my factor. I’m not snug 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 infrequently uneven. Doing that nicely is rather more tough than it seems to be. However I’ve been intrigued by pinterest boards and wished to present it a attempt. Fortunately for this buy-nothing-new problem, I already had the essential media wanted to prep bottles, glue issues to them, and paint them. Principally as a result of I take advantage of acrylic paint for different issues and have achieved some decoupage initiatives through the years.
I’m undecided I went about including layers to my altered bottles the correct approach. As an 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 a lot 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 sit down round my dwelling for some time so I can watch how they maintain up.
For each bottles I used solely acrylic paints so as to add coloration. I went with dry brushing and rubbing on dabs of paint with my fingers to get a distressed end. My arms have been a multitude and there’s nonetheless paint underneath my nails. Might I’ve worn gloves? The place can be the enjoyable in that?
Neither of the 2 bottles I altered really feel completed. They each appear moderately minimalist for assemblage. That’s partly as a result of I used to be hesitant to attach too many random issues on them. And it’s additionally as a result of I didn’t have available the scale or shapes of issues I wished 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.