I love getting bills....
well not really paying them but I can't wait to open them and see what kind of pattern I find inside the envelope. I have been in front of my computer screen a lot during my available work time and when I have design projects that require digital work I am away from my art studio and sitting in my home office plugging away. Today I went down to the studio to tidy up (always a good distraction/or a method of procrastination:) I have this growing pile of ripped up envelopes just waiting to be integrated into some collages...I really love the little windows they are perfect little framing devices. Getting bills in the mail seems slightly less painful knowing that I might get some free collage material. "Recycle and Re-Use" is the motto around the family art studio. I am posting some collages showing how I like to integrate these bits of junk mail scraps into my work.
This is a series I did a few years ago just for fun. I layered the envelopes in the background added some acrylic paint and some old music (another fave), added some drawing, stitching and did a foil stencil on the top.
Same with this one. Envelopes, music, postage and acrylic paint in the background and a foil stencil technique on the top. I am planning on introducing many of my foil techniques on this blog later in the Spring and early Summer so please come back often if you are interested in learning about any of these unique mixed media art techniques. FYI, for these 6x6 collages I used a paper called Stonehenge, love the weight of it and the way the edges tear, it is a printmaking paper.
These larger (10x18) collages were done on an inexpensive rice paper (I buy it in a pad). I layered different colors of pastel foil in the background with the music. The hearts are from my beloved envelope stash!
The heart at the bottom is the negative of the heart from the previous collage. I love to use negative and positive shapes in my collage and never throw away the negative from cut/punched or diecut shapes.
I wish you could see the sparkle in this art....you will just have to imagine it. Hope this helps to ease the pain of those bills even if it is ever so slightly!
You are the most artsy person in the whole wide world Christine! These are amazing!!!
Posted by: Melodee | March 01, 2006 at 06:13 AM
Christine, these are just amazing...thanks for so generously sharing your talent! Carol
Posted by: carol | March 01, 2006 at 10:40 AM
I really appreciate how you share parts of your creative process on your blog. It is very inspiring! Thank you for being so generous with your talent.
Posted by: Sue | March 01, 2006 at 03:08 PM
Wow, you are amazing. I would have never thought of recycling envelopes from bills. It is such an incredible idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jeanette | March 01, 2006 at 04:25 PM
there really is inspiration just about everywhere, isn't there? great use of those pesky bill envelopes... and looking forward to hearing about your foil techniques! i have been experimenting with foiling lately and would love to hear tips from the guru!
Posted by: melanie | March 03, 2006 at 05:06 AM
hi christine.....you can just imagine how excited i got when i saw your bills posted, and then to scroll down and see the wonderful collages you did with us.....i still look at my works from your class and am even amazed i did those fun collages, and of course my favorite thing in the world is the foiling....so you can also know i am excited you will review all those things on your blog, new inspiration.....thanks for sharing......minnie
Posted by: minnie | March 03, 2006 at 07:54 AM
All right, that is possibly the coolest/most inspiring thing I have seen in a long time! My husband shreds everything, I'm gonna go scratching through that potential bag of goodies. I love the recycling part, gave me goose bumps, you did!
Just when I thought you couldn't get any cooler...you share that bit of info, giiiiirl!
We need to make an award to be givin out to each other for sharing ideas like that! Dang!
Posted by: Cari | March 10, 2006 at 06:42 AM
Wow, we have so much in common, collage girls who love the inside of envelopes. People at work think I'm a bit crazy as I'm often seen diving in to the recyling or the trash to rescue nice envelopes etc.
Posted by: cally | March 17, 2006 at 05:22 AM
Amazing, Beautiful, Fun, Creative, and Awesome!
Posted by: Amber Coffey | April 11, 2008 at 07:41 AM
Truly inspirational! I, too, have a stash of saved envelopes of various colors and sizes...Can't wait to jump in on them!
Posted by: Vicki | April 12, 2008 at 05:32 AM
Oh this is a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing! And you have really beautiful artwork there! I loved the combination and layouts. Eye candies! Thanks for the inspiration! Smiles, Anke ;)
Posted by: Anke | April 13, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!
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