"I Can't Think Anymore" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

This is the last "hanging" piece for the upcoming Yellow Springs Art Show. Now I have to finish up the portfolio pieces I wish to exhibit there. 

Here, I want you to see a side view of this piece. Polka-dotted polka dots!

"Dragonfly 2" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

"Patchwork Pear" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

"Red Butterflies" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

"Gold Dragonfly, Red Leaves" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

Remember the blue canvas from the post "Production Line" a little while back? "Gold Dragonfly, Red Leaves" is the completed collage.

Here, once again, is the canvas, painted in various blue washes and covered in plastic wrap.

When the paint was almost dry, the plastic wrap was removed and the canvas allowed to dry completely.

Now remember the palette paper that I used to clean my brushes?

I tore it in strips and wove them while gluing them to the canvas. Pretty, huh?

Then I covered it up (for the most part) with a piece of dark blue ogura lace paper.

After that, I applied everything else, splattered it with gold, varnished it and applied the metallic gold fabric paint outlines you see.

And that's all there is to it!

"Red Pear" Mixed Media Collage 6x6

A friend of mine was hosting a party in my honor and one of the games she planned for the event was a quiz about me. When I heard the questions I was sort of puzzled, because even I didn't know the answers to some of them. Then it dawned on me, it was based on my artwork. Interestingly enough, I didn't win the game!

One of the first questions asked was, "What is Kris's favorite fruit?"

I was stumped. I didn't know what my favorite fruit was, but suddenly all my friends who were gathered around the banquet table were all saying, "Oh, I know!" and they were furiously writing down the answer; which was, of course, pears!

Over the years I have painted pears probably about a zillion times in as many different mediums. Anytime I try out a new idea, a new tool or new technique, I make a pear. The have such personality, and, of course, there's that sensuous shape. They are fun and easy to draw, paint, shade, highlight, be-jewel, or whatever. 

So, this is my latest offering in a long, long line of pears; my favorite fruit!

Below are the steps to making this piece: 

A wash of burnt sienna & quinacridone gold are covered with plastic wrap

When the paint is dry, the plastic wrap is removed

Scraps of paper are collaged onto the canvas

The whole things is covered with unryu paper with banana fibers in it

"Chinese Dragonfly" Mixed Media Collage 5x7

If you haven't caught on yet, I have a thing for dragonflies. ;D