Sunday, May 30, 2010

I am a collage chicken...


(my first tentative attempts at collage backgrounds... so far)

I am so mindful of making a mistake, I am too scared to try different things, to try different colours together, different textures and using new painting mediums.  I do these things in my mind and decide that it wont work without even giving it a go.   I think part of it is that the cost of things sometimes puts me off using papers, and products etc... in case they don't work and it becomes a waste (and I'm also just a big chicken).  So I had a little go tonight (images above) and am happy with the results so far although I am a little scared, I am kind of looking forward to the following week,  where I will be trying some new collage ideas for backgrounds... I am thinking of this as a completely experimental week (when I say week I mean the few hours in between kids and work).  

I will be starting Kelly Rae's e course tomorrow, so I am really looking forward to seeing how it all goes and to 'working' with all the wonderful people who have also signed up.

26 comments:

Micki Wilde said...

These are both so delicate and pretty!
I Love the hair on the girl on the left and the background on the girl on the right is gorgeous!!

Micki x

p.s. I hope you have fun on the Kelly Rae course, I couldn't afford the fee but would of loved to have taken it!

Tara @ Aquamarine Art said...

Gorge! Think of this way; you were already doing collage with the papers behind the girls, so this is just an extension of that. Have you seen Sarah Ahearn's work? She does collage really well I think. Her blog's called Paper Crown. Anyway you can totally do this and it looks great so far! Can't wait to hear how the KR class goes too xx

Widge said...

Oh I am such a chicken too!! I'm a chicken to even paint. I have a huge bare canvas sitting in my bedroom that has been taunting me for the last 18 months after I brought it ON SALE!! but I'm too scared of mucking it up! pathetic really huh? :)

for the record I love the collage. beautiful work

Kelly said...

Hey Katherine,
I'm a chicken with collage too! I am much for comfortable with paint, and pencils and stamps.. But I think your first two look just great and I also love the hair on the left girl. I love that piece over her forehead... I'm heading over to Flying Lessons now - see you there!

Unknown said...

I know just what you mean about being a chicken. I just tell myself if it looks terrible I can gesso over it and try again. Just have fun with it. Your girls really are lovely. :) See you in class!
♥Jenny

Gretz said...

I LOVE these, the delicate colours are delish. I like your girls with the same size eyes best ;-)

Diane said...

Oh my goodness, did I write this?! I tend to over think about art projects too, but I'm getting better. I am such a fan of your art, and I know you can't go wrong.

Mel @ Wildflower said...

Ah self-doubt - it gets us all at times!! I adore the 1st one, she really caught my eye. 2nd also very good, but there's something about the one on the left :). I look forward to seeing the results of this weeks 'experiments'.

softearthart said...

Hi, I am with Mel, my eye is drawn to the one on the left, very nice indeed. cheers Marie

Jenny said...

Oh my gosh Katherine, they are adorable...
Jenny

Dee said...

i am completely drawn to art with text in it. LOVEloveLOVE!

(thanks for letting me know where to find your treats in Napier)
Dee

Anonymous said...

That is so funny that you think you are chicken!! I see you as SO brave. You are like my mentor so please do NOT be chicken. OK?? I am the chicken, you are not. Ok, rant finished...lol!

I love both these girls a lot! ♥

stickytiki said...

They both look beautiful..and yes we are all chickens sometimes, you will always do what is right! Good luck for the course :)

Unknown said...

i think the backgrounds are beautiful and add a wonderful touch. it's always a little frightening to go out of your comfort zone, but it's only going to make your art work even better.

Art and Clasp said...

Kia ora Katherine, these are divine! See you in e-class :)

Debby said...

WOW!!!! They are beautiful, no need to be chicken.
debby

Unknown said...

Hi, these are lovely! I have the same issues, I just adore paper and sometimes I'm so scared to use in case I can't find it anymore and sometimes using canvases really scares me but then I think if I don't like it I'll paint it black or collage over it and start again,LOL! I experiment on cardboard or acrylic paper sometimes to try a new technique too. btw I too am taking Kelly Rae's course, I'm heading over now so I'll see you there!

Cadi said...

They are awesome! :-)

Luciana Navarro said...

muy bellos trabajos!
saludos!

Shelly said...

Looking GREAT! Keep going and silence that inner chicken!!! :)

erin carver said...

yah for collage! you are not a chicken Katherine and these are totally gorgeous. I love the new hair styles too! x

Shalet said...

Just popping in from flying lessons. I love these! Oh how I wish I could draw ...

Trena said...

I have the same problem ...afraid that i might mess something up...but i have found out that usually when I do try something new I end up loving it in the end I love the new painting by the way

Noël said...

These are beautiful! I love the colors you've chosen. So funny that our "flying lessons" are talking about fears...you were ahead of the game!

Cathy {tinniegirl} said...

I love this post. Reading your recent blog posts is like reading about my own journey.

I get so scared of messing up a painting, or trying something new that it stops me from growing as an artist. Eventually though I tell myself what's it matter if I mess it up and that's when the great stuff usually happens.

I think your work is simply beautiful.

Michele said...

I think these are just beautiful! Keep on collaging! I know what you mean about being afraid to make mistakes, I struggle with the same issue. :)