A Peacock Tale

It is a bit of a play on words. "A Peacock Tale".

The story of the beautiful peacock body colours is presented here and surpassed by the majesty of the tail feathers. Using recycled bottle tops to carry the images of the tail feathers, portrays the 'everyday' attitude the peacock seems to have to his own beauty. I have just added this one to the Etsy shop.

The recycled canvas wedges convey my peacock photos taken at the Dunsborough animal farm. They are presented on a piece of Moranti wood that has been lightly coated with redgum sap to give it a gentle gloss. The beads are made from rolled up copies of the photographs of the tail interspersed with vintage faux pearls (thanks Grandma Darnell) and turquoise beads.

Book review for "The complete guide to altered imagery"

I have just finished using a wonderful library book that I thought worth a post. "The complete guide to altered imagery: mixed-media techniques for collage, altered books, artist journals, and more" by Karen Michel. The title covers it all!

This book explores how to integrate photographs and images into your collage using gel medium, gesso, sandpaper, sewing, stamping, bleaching and transferring, just to mention a few. It offers easy printmaking techniques and layering of paint to create textures and a surface for personal messages.

The author uses guest artists to show their own slant on old techniques plus artist tips to inspire you. Some offer quotes that just hit the spot and helps the new ideas click.

A great book to have around to kick-start some inspiration. What makes it different from the rest? A ton of ideas in one place for putting photos, photocopies and other images into your work using all the materials you have on your art table. No need to buy anything new, just using what we've all got, in different ways. Love it!

also available through your local library.