I think if you're a mixed media artist, it doesn't take much to transcend the mundane. Leighanna and I were having a discussion this past week about how to make metal things rust.
Different metals require different processes. I was trying (in vain) to get some chicken wire to rust for The Cradle Project. So, I consulted with Leighanna, as she does it all the time (rusticate). So, the formula for chicken wire is 50/50 of bleach and vinegar; must be done outside as the fumes are noxious and probably toxic. Works beautifully!
Leighanna gave me some shiny doo dads (I call 'em that as I have no idea what they are for). So I took those shiny doo dads and submereged them in the 50/50 solution in a closed glass jar and oxidize they did! I loved all the rust it threw as a by product and in drying them, they imprint themselves on the surface. That's what you see here; the rusted doo dads and imprints. Very, very mundane for the rest of the world, but pretty exciting stuff for a mixed up media artist!
Yeah, like I said, it doesn't take much...
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Transcending the Mundane...
I think if you're a mixed media artist, it doesn't take much to transcend the mundane. Leighanna and I were having a discussion this past week about how to make metal things rust.
Different metals require different processes. I was trying (in vain) to get some chicken wire to rust for The Cradle Project. So, I consulted with Leighanna, as she does it all the time (rusticate). So, the formula for chicken wire is 50/50 of bleach and vinegar; must be done outside as the fumes are noxious and probably toxic. Works beautifully!
Leighanna gave me some shiny doo dads (I call 'em that as I have no idea what they are for). So I took those shiny doo dads and submereged them in the 50/50 solution in a closed glass jar and oxidize they did! I loved all the rust it threw as a by product and in drying them, they imprint themselves on the surface. That's what you see here; the rusted doo dads and imprints. Very, very mundane for the rest of the world, but pretty exciting stuff for a mixed up media artist!
Yeah, like I said, it doesn't take much...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
LinkWithin
4 comments:
Very cool effect! The rust AND the imprints have a beauty all their own. And thanks for your comment on my blog - you can tell that the aging process has been on my mind a lot lately.
Very cool rustiness! Both the rusty objects and the imprints are pretty in their own right. And thanks for the comment on my blog - you can tell what's been on my mind lately...
oh Paula, these are beautiful! really love the different sizes of the doo dads and imprints, and also the overlapping with the very little ones that are by themselves.
very curious about the chicken wire for the cradle project...didn't know about that project until you mentioned it...sounds very interesting and meaningful.
I have seen Leslie Riley use broken up coarse steel wool and placed them on wet muslin. But I never thought of using these clock parts and others to create more interesting effects - how cool!
Thanks for sharing!
&rew
Post a Comment