Lady pictures!

I prepared my boards and started on three pieces this weekend - forgot to take pictures, though.

Here's the imagery that I'm using:

This is clip art that I'm transferring onto paper and fabric and then covering with wax. I will probably scrape and scratch into the wax, too. The paper I adhered to the boards is white, the imagery is mostly black and I'm also using red and pink. I'm thinking pink will be a dominant color in these pieces.

And I'm experimenting with a super-cool wax pouring technique that I read about on Cyndy Goldman's blog.

Images soon!

Getting started on imagery

I have posted some photos at the bottom that represent an idea for this series. I also have some old slides of buhddist temples from the 1960's I would like to use as a compaare and contrast element. I will be spending the next few days prepping my clay boards for the work.

Raw Materials

I went thrift store shopping yesterday - looking for vintage linens to use in my pieces. I found a table cloth, a napkin, a doily, a little curtain, some patterns from the 70s, and a book about mothers.

I didn't spend a lot on any of the items. I tried to find things that were torn or stained - things that had been well used and then cast aside or forgotten.

I also got the boards. I'll be gluing things down and doing some solvent transfers before taking everything to the studio and busting out the wax.

Inspiration

I have decided on the type of imagery I 'm going for on this project. I decided to really point this towards the house being the self. It will probably be very personal and cathartic work, but entertaining as well.

I love the idea of kitch.

I must admit, my first thought was the 1940-50's housewife images. I really like the juxtaposition of the Vermeer image and the kitchy graphic images. That's a very interesting visual comparison. I will post some of my thoughts/ideas on this next week. I just ordered all necessary supplies for this project. They will be here soon, so it's time to get my ideas flowing.

Initial thoughts on imagery

OK, so I've been thinking about these ideas, "waxy buildup," and "cleaning house."

I haven't quite figured out what I'm going to do yet, but I've been thinking about imagery. I did some Google Image searches and came up with a few images that I think might be interesting to adapt or play off of:

Yeah, that Vermeer image doesn't really belong, but I kept it in because I like the peace and quiet it implies... I'm most drawn to the kitschy, humorous retro housewife images as a more fun take on the subject. I'm not sure if I'll go that direction, though.

I also like the idea of using domestic things like vintage wallpaper, aprons, napkins, etc.

In my installation, I included some pieces of paper dipped in wax that are supposed to look like they're blowing around the room. On some of the paper pieces, I embroidered a house shape. Like this:

I could play around with that idea again - maybe embroider onto vintage linens or wallpaper... Adding an element of traditional domesticity or "women's work" into the piece. Those could then be collaged into the wax.

It's still brewing...