A few weeks ago I shared the process of creating new artwork on wood panels, using concrete & grout for texture and detail. Today I’m going to show you a companion piece I made at the same time. As I was unpacking in the new studio I ran across this panel that I had started before the big move.
It seemed only natural to go ahead and finish it while I was working with the same materials. When I unpacked it all that had been done was the texture layer of concrete & mortar – no colors added at all. It followed the same layering sequence as the “Journey” pieces did, building up color along the way. Lots of fun in the details of the process!
These are the rest of the images showing some of the steps along the way:
As you can tell there is a lot of painting on then covering up, then adding back with each of the colors. The last layer was with copper paint. I’m a sucker for turquoise and copper together! What’s your favorite color combination?
Next week I’m going to begin sharing some updates on the progress of the studio build. It is *this* close to being done! I’ll also share details about the Studio Open House on August 1st & 2nd, so be sure to check back then!
I’ve got so many “in progress” images of this new triptych that I was commissioned to create that I decided to at least split it into two posts. Today I’ll features the humble beginnings, some close-up details of the texture & color during the process, and (above) the finished product. Hopefully that will leave you wanting more while you wait for the second post. 🙂
These pieces were based on another set that I created a few years ago during a residency. Although the clients loved them they just weren’t large enough to fill the space that they were to be hung in so I got to re-create them in a larger version! I very much appreciate their willingness to let me be creative with the replication and not try to get it precisely the same pattern, colors and textures. They are created on wood panels and the texture is a mixture of concrete and grout, layered on thin & wet so I can play with the design before it gets too dry.
It looks a whole lot different after it’s dry, sealed and I’ve put multiple layers of acrylic on it:
Next post I’ll show how it goes from one stage to the next. Until then!
We had such a great response (and some great fun) during the first of these workshops I’ve decided to squeeze one more in before the weather gets too cold! Here are all the details:
“Industrial Art Duo” ~ Two Exciting Projects, One Industrious Day!
miscellaneous metal parts
Don’t let the title (or the image!) scare you – I’ll be there to guide you through using any of the materials or equipment that may seem intimidating. I’ve also recruited my favorite collaborator, my husband Mark, to assist us with some of the work. Especially the welding!
work in progress (c) lynne medsker
I’ve had several people mention how much fun it looked like it would be to create art using concrete as a textured underlayer (by the way – it IS fun) but I couldn’t figure out how to make that work in a one day class since there is a fairly long gap of time for the concrete to dry. Then it occured to me I could add a second project during that drying time that would keep us all busy. Compared to just staring at the concrete as it dried it seems like a perfect solution. But what other project goes with concrete? Steel, of course!
student work, Industrial Duo Workshop, August 2012
We will start and finish the day working on our concrete creations! You can choose if you’d like to create that work on one large wood panel or several smaller ones. Then, using various tools (and most likely your fingers!) you’ll make marks, lines, texture – or even embed items – on the surface. Once you’ve satisfied your yearnings to texture concrete, it’s time for metal! To begin that project you will select different pieces and layout the design for your metal wall sculpture (approximately 12″ x 18″) as the concrete dries. You’ll get instructions on how to prep the metal materials and then Mark will work his welding magic to construct it for you. After it has cooled from the welding process it can be spray painted, wrapped in wire or further embellished in a variety of ways. Although we have quite a selection of parts and metal to choose from you are welcome to bring in any items you’d like to include in your sculpture and we will help you find a way to incorporate it. At some point there will be lunch and snack breaks as well, keeping you busy until your wood panel is ready for more attention. Finishing the concrete artwork includes sealing it and then covering it with layers of acrylic, adding, subtracting and blending until it makes you smile. That could be just one or two layer, or many, many more!
student work in progress, Industrial Art Duo workshop, August 2012
Gloves will be provided for the concrete work plus there are gloves and safety glasses available for you to use when working with the metal. Although not neccessarily needed for the concrete work you will need to bring a long sleeve shirt, long pants and full cover shoes when working in the shop creating your sculpture. Most work will be done outdoors but we will have the studio and the shop nearby & warm if the day is chilly. Coffee, bottled water and afternoon snacks are provided, please pack a sack lunch for your noon meal. Detailed information and a release form will be emailed to you once you have signed up. Be prepared to get dirty and happy during this creative day!
Date: Saturday, November 10th, 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more or less!)
Cost: $145 – includes all materials & instruction for creating two unique pieces of art (if you wish to bring a spouse, family member or friend to collaborate with the fee for creating both pieces is $175 per couple.)
Minimum 2 participants/Maximum 8 participants
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, November 7th!
I can’t wait to help you explore these mediums…it is going to be so much fun!
Lynne
P.S. To see more samples of mixed media and metal artwork, visit my website!
Last month was the first Industrial Art Duo class here at the studio and it was great! We had five participants creating art, first with cement on wood panels and then with metal. This post is going to show you images from the concrete portion of the class.
While the raw concrete was set in the sun to dry everyone had time to make their metal creations and eat lunch. Then it was time to start sealing and adding color!
As you can see there quite a variety of styles and colors. Pretty awesome! The next post will feature the metal wall sculptures created in class, they are pretty awesome as well! 🙂
Yeah, I decided I needed to describe my creations with a little more detail than just “mixed media” art. Since many of the materials I use are from the hardware section vs. the art supply area I settled on the industrial title.
work in progress #1 (c) lynne medsker
These are some images of recent work, in addition to concrete and wood I’ve been exploring imbedding and attaching objects. Does the image above look like it’s got straws sticking out of it? Actually, it does…they are blocking the concrete from filling holes that were drilled into the wood. The pieces below have (top to bottom) glass, metal wire and paper in them.
work in progress #2 (c) lynne medskerwork in progress #3 (c) lynne medskerwork in progress #4 (c) lynne medsker
Since the time I took these photos I’ve sealed each piece and added a few layers of acrylic paint/ink. There will be several more of those before they are finished! I will post more images as the pieces progress. In the meantime I’ve got several posts to share with you about recent classes and some of the great art that the participants created.
If you are interested in the Industrial Art Duo class that I’ll be presenting this coming Saturday, this is your last chance to sign up! We currently have three openings available before the class is full. I will accept students until midnight this Wednesday, August 15th, then the class will be closed so that I can purchase/gather the materials. The weather forecast looks excellent so far and I’m excited about the fun group that has already signed up to participate! Why don’t you join us for this creative day?
So I’ve been debating on a few new classes to offer the next month or two. This is the first and I am SO excited to announce it!!
“Industrial Art Duo” ~ Two Exciting Projects, One Industrious Day!
miscellaneous metal parts
Don’t let the title (or the image!) scare you – I’ll be there to guide you through using any of the materials or equipment that may seem intimidating. I’ve also recruited my favorite collaborator, my husband Mark, to assist us with some of the work. Especially the welding!
“turquoise topography” 1 & 2, commissioned artwork, mixed media on wood panels, 20×20″ each
I’ve had several people mention how much fun it looked like it would be to create art using concrete as a textured underlayer (by the way – it IS fun) but I couldn’t figure out how to make that work in a one day class since there is a fairly long gap of time for the concrete to dry. Then it occured to me I could add a second project during that drying time that would keep us all busy. Compared to just staring at the concrete as it dried it seems like a perfect solution. But what other project goes with concrete? Steel, of course!
We will start and finish the day working on our concrete creations! You can choose if you’d like to create that work on one large wood panel or several smaller ones. Then, using various tools (and most likely your fingers!) you’ll make marks, lines, texture – or even embed items – on the surface. Once you’ve satisfied your yearnings to texture concrete, it’s time for metal! To begin that project you will select different pieces and layout the design for your metal wall sculpture (approximately 12″ x 18″) as the concrete dries. You’ll get instructions on how to prep the metal materials and then Mark will work his welding magic to construct it for you. After it has cooled from the welding process it can be spray painted, wrapped in wire or further embellished in a variety of ways. Although we have quite a selection of parts and metal to choose from you are welcome to bring in any items you’d like to include in your sculpture and we will help you find a way to incorporate it. At some point there will be lunch and snack breaks as well, keeping you busy until your wood panel is ready for more attention. Finishing the concrete artwork includes sealing it and then covering it with layers of acrylic, adding, subtracting and blending until it makes you smile. That could be just one or two layer, or many, many more!
Gloves will be provided for the concrete work plus there are gloves and safety glasses available for you to use when working with the metal. Although not neccessarily needed for the concrete work you will need to bring a long sleeve shirt, long pants and full cover shoes when working in the shop creating your sculpture. Most work will be done outdoors but we will have fans available to keep you cool. Bottled water and afternoon snacks are provided, please pack a sack lunch for your noon meal. Detailed information and a release form will be emailed to you once you have signed up. Be prepared to get dirty and happy during this creative day!
Date: Saturday, August 18th 2012
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more or less!)
Cost: $145 – includes all materials & instruction for creating two unique pieces of art (if you wish to bring a spouse, family member or friend to collaborate with the fee for creating both pieces is $175 per couple.)
Minimum 2 participants/Maximum 8 participants
I can’t wait for this day…it is going to be so much fun! Now if I can just decide what fun to have with the other new class on my schedule….
Lynne
Me, happily working in the shop! Safety glasses over real glasses, such a great look! 🙂
This is another piece that started with a layer of concrete on a wood panel. I really, really (really!) enjoyed applying the concrete layer….it was mixed pretty thin and I had a long time to work with it. Much like finger painting I ran my hands through the fluid concrete, swirling it around and playing like a kindergartner. It was a very good form of therapy!
blank panel, waiting for a layer of concrete (along with some smaller pieces)
Once I finally quit playing with the texture it needed to dry for a day or two before I could proceed. I began by smoothing a layer of black acrylic paint all over the top of the surface, with a heavy amount around the edges.
When that layer had dried then I added some liquid layers of acrylic inks that I blended across the entire piece. Using a purple and green hues seems to create a shade deep turquoise that I always love!
I continued to add layers of purple & green until I was happy with the depth of color. To highlight the piece I added some metallic paints (silver, gold, copper) on top of the black in certain areas. It was *almost* there!
It took me a while to figure out what else I needed to add before I could feel like it was finished. What it ended up being was lots and lots of tiny details in black ink. Although the image above was taken before the ink was added basically I put small little circle-type details on top of the larger areas of metallic paint. It ended up look much like the patterns on a wild animal, perhaps a leopard? They aren’t apparent at once and I really like that – it really does feel like there is something a little wild concealed within the image, waiting for you to discover it! Of course if you want to see those details you’ll need to come see it in person – I’d love to show it to you!
Some pieces of art come very easily and others you have to wrestle, argue, ignore, cajole and fuss with for months to finally figure out what they want to become. This is one of those pieces!
It isn’t just me that struggled with it, my artist friend Doug finally was exasperated enough with it that he gave it to me at a play date with instructions to finish it. 🙂 Now if you clicked that link you’ll know it’s been a LONG time that I’ve had this piece in the studio! I began working on it during the play date buy taking a hammer to it and chipping out some of the background texture and edges, adding more concrete and even adding some color that day. Here are images of it as it transitioned from phase to phase – and I know I missed a lot of the stages!
After this last image I used it to test some spray paint on but didn’t get a photo of that (although you can see some of it on the next image). What it had turned into was a piece I let my young grandson paint on because, honestly, he couldn’t do any worse!
And his creativity is just what got me inspired and going in the direction I needed to! Why I’d not tried my one of my favorite color schemes before is still a mystery to me.
Once the tree appeared all that was needed was a bit of green, some outlining and highlighting and it was finally complete. Whew. I can’t imagine it looking like anything else now!
This piece is included in the “Mixed Well & Served Fresh” show that has been held over at Artistic Designs Gallery in Brownsburg, Indiana. You need to come see it in person to appreciate all the layers, depth and texture! I’ll be there with it tomorrow during the ArtsGo! event too, I’d love to meet you!
Since the client wanted two pieces I knew I’d get a better continuity between them by creating two at once instead of trying to match the single piece I’d created two years ago. Beginning with layers of concrete applied by hand to the wood panels, I made texture & designs on each panel, as well as drops and bumps of concrete across the surface as well.
Once dried that layer was sealed and then I began the layering process with thin layers of acrylic. Adding more neutral colored layers followed by bright colors I built up the design on the concrete bit by bit.
It was actually the clients idea to hang them at an angle, they look great that way! I really enjoyed being able to create these pieces, what would you like me to create for you?
A Randomly Creative Blog 