Tool Time...

My Favorite Tools...

for laying papers down.

I have a few favorite tools for my mixed media art, 

though there are only three favorites for laying papers down 

and getting a flat and smooth surface.

#1...

My silicon bowl scraper is crucial for laying papers down, smoothing and getting all the air bubbles out.  It has a metal center that makes it sturdy and a soft, beveled silicone edge to keep it from tearing papers and smoothing them out...I love this tool!

Zoie + Chloe Multi-Purpose Silicone Scraper - Bowl 

As my students will tell you...I am a stickler for smooth papers!

The other two favorite tools are free, 

though not often used when it comes to collaging and laying papers down.

 +

#2&3

That's right...time and patience are what it takes to make sure papers are down smoothly...though often overlooked.

Maybe because we're excited to get painting on a piece and don't want to take the extra time to get it right.  Trust me, it will come back and haunt you if you don't take the time to make sure papers don't start buckling and bubbling as you continue to glue down more papers.  Take the time to keep your eye on papers already glued in place, as they may start to bubble and stretch from the moister in the glue and mediums you're using to attach them.  You'll thank yourself when you have a smooth finish to work on, not to mention your piece will have longevity if your papers are adhered soundly to your substrate.

I worked one afternoon this week gluing papers onto several substrates in preparation for an upcoming show at Ashton Gallery...Neutrals & Naturals.

All the papers I laid down on my canvases are neutral in color...the papers below are all hand dyed by me creating patterns using coffee or tea...I love the process and the effects.

The papers and fabrics below are from shopping bags...the floral is a Hallmark bag and the blue print fabric is from a Free People shopping bag.  I don't let anything go to waste!  Even the canvas they are on is a painting I wasn't attached to...so I covered it up!

Plus...

It's so relaxing to just spend time glueing down papers...

I enjoy the process.  

My piece below was chosen as the postcard for the show...

I Wish We Were A Bluebird

Call To Artists...

Bring on the earthy tones of nature! The soft creams, refined sandy hues, raw umberish browns, and rich rusts as well as dusty, natural, and muted colors are all winners. 

I encourage all my art friends and students to enter the shows...all the info you need to know to enter this show is linked here...

Neutrals & Naturals

Good Luck...

 and I hope this encourages you to enter the show and lay those papers down smoothly!