Michelle Casey, “Being” (Interior, detail), ATC, Collage, 7.5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013
There’ve been so many exciting things happening on the Artist Trading Card (ATC) front here at Collage Your World – I’m delighted to share them with you!
Deeply in Love in February…
In mid February I participated in an exchange with my Ottawa-based ATC group run by my friend Olive Jones. Being the month of Valentines our theme naturally gravitated towards the subject of love. Always trying to steer my projects in different directions, I thought it would be a great opportunity to try experimenting with my new Tim Holtz Distress Markers. For “Deeply” (above), I used a gorgeous passionate pink marker on my card and then brushed over it with a light wash of water. After letting it dry, I dripped drops of water onto it which I lightly dabbed off with a paper towel to achieve a cool spotted look. Usually my ATCs are replete with imagery but with this one, I wanted to showcase my background effects so I chose a couple of strong images and decided to go with a minimal look; adding only a few translucent sequins which reflected the background’s colour… so stunning and simple! In this case, I really felt less was more!
Michelle Casey, “Deeply” (for Kevin Casey), ATC, Mixed Media/Collage, 3.5 x 2.5 inches, February 2013
Texture-based ATCs: Playing with Surfaces
At the end of February, I exchanged ATCs with Collage Your World list member, Jeanne-Sylvie-Bellet of France. It’s been such a privilege to become acquainted with her; she even joined me on Facebook! After discovering more about her creative world, I learned we shared much in common. I was delighted when she consented to trade ATCs with me; we agreed to work on the theme of texture. Knowing Jeanne-Sylvie is a great fan of spiritual teacher, Eckhart Tolle author of “A New Earth”, I decided to make her a triptych ATC based on a quote from Tolle’s book: “Being can’t be thought. It must be felt.” I added visual textures and various papers surfaces I felt would work with the quote… even raising an image fragment with thick double-sided tape to give it a 3D tactile feel. I hoped she would like it and she did! Layering gesso and acrylic paint on magazine paper, Jeanne-Sylvie created an amazing mixed-media ATC! It’s rough, smooth, patterned and glistening surfaces were also created by rubbing a candle over the dry acrylic paint to make cool patterns and sprinkling black embossing powder on its top-most layer. I loved the card’s earthy, organic look and feel… it reminded me of a blend of precious metal and raw earth. Also embedded within its layers were half hidden text fragments from the magazine, which made it even more intriguing! Thanks Jeanne-Sylvie… I’ll treasure your card always! If you would like brief step-by-step by instructions for creating her card, please email me.
Michelle Casey, “Being” (Back Cover), ATC, Collage, 7.5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013
Michelle Casey, “Being” (Interior), ATC, Collage, 7.5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013… Note: portion on left panel below image of Greek sculpture is raised with double-sided tape.Text on each page reads: Touch, Feel, Become.
Jeanne-Sylvie Bellet, Untitled ATC (Texture themed), Mixed Media/Collage, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, February 2013... Look closely and you'll see the embedded mystery text (top section)… such gorgeous textures!
Fluid Flight: Soaring Away on Your Creative Wings!
In early March I hosted a one-on-one workshop with Cristiane Doherty (Mixed Media Artist/AOE Communications Specialist). Hoping to make more time for creativity in her busy life, she was glad to secure an evening workshop with me. I was so lucky to have her, too… Cristiane is a multi-talented artist who makes her own collage papers; is an expert in the lettering arts; a graphic designer and former contemporary dancer. I knew I wouldn’t have to push too hard for her to unleash her energy because she came raring to go with a big box of her favourite collaging ephemera. Working with pieces she’d collected over the years, she created her own unique symphony in blue – “Fluid Flight” using the symbols of water, flying insects and the colour blue associated with her astrological sign, Pisces. Here are her reflections about her card: “Inspiration for this ATC came from an honest desire to be surrounded by a pool of creativity. The butterfly represents the energy and the will to take and land where the next project takes me on my journey. Many thanks to Michelle who gave me an opportunity to learn how to put this free form of expression together. I am hooked.” Thanks to YOU, my dear Cristiane! A further thanks for sharing your beautiful hand-made papers with me – along with your ATC, they’re such precious additions to my collections!
Cristiane Doherty, “Fluid Flight”, ATC, Mixed Media/Collage, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013… Cristiane brilliantly raised the butterfly and the rectangular layer (left) using double-sided tape to give the piece a cool 3D feel!
Under the Forgetting Tree…
My most current ATC “The Forgetting Tree”, was created for my March monthly trade with Olive Jones’ group. Drawing on personal pain I was experiencing, I selected photo portraits of a woman and a lone floral tree painting; the latter I spotted on an image of some East Indian architecture. I assembled these into a two-paneled book-like ATC which just seemed right to me. Once again, I tried out my Tim Holtz markers, this time using them to create a wood grain-like effect for the interior of my card. In this case coming up with a text for the piece was easy because the minute I saw my images, I instantly knew what the words would be…I love it when that happens. I’m never embarrassed to express and commemorate my pain through my art; it always allows me to lay some of those sad feelings to rest rather than allowing them to consume my life.
Michelle Casey, “The Forgetting Tree” (Back Cover), ATC, Mixed Media/Collage, 5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013
Michelle Casey, “The Forgetting Tree” (Inside), ATC, Mixed Media/Collage, 5 x 3.5 inches, March 2013… the theme of this card was trees.
Easy Make ATCs!
Are you sitting there and saying to yourself, Michelle, I could never make those ATCs like you do! Need to ease your way into making collage ATCs? Here’s a fun idea… just work with texture strips! To make my ATC “Stripes I”, I collected interesting textures from magazines and cut them into thin strips. I glued them side by side and really like their constrasty effects. Although I can be such a stickler for making story-based collages, from time to time I like to go against the grain and make something purely minimal as with my piece “Deeply” or like this very abstract piece… so go ahead and try one out – if you do, I’ll be happy to trade cards with the first person who shares theirs with me! Thanks for taking the time to review my ATC update. Now go forth and make some wonderful ATCs!
Michelle Casey, “Stripes I”, ATC, Collage, 2.5 x 3.5 inches, January 2013
PLEASE NOTE: I’ll be away on training next weekend. I look forward to connecting with you again on April 14, 2013.
Other Related Links:
Collage Tip #12: How to Make a Collage Artist Trading Card
A Personal Glimpse into the World of Artist Trading Cards
Artist Trading Cards: History, Rituals, How To’s
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