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Sunday, May 30, 2010

New Directions

Here is a little bit of what I am experimenting with: pouring resin. This is pouring it in a different way than I am used to seeing. Usually I think of resin and think: jewelry. But I have seen some really cool artwork from artists who completely cover their canvases with resin after finishing their painting. They embed all sorts of objects in them first, then just flood their canvas. I thought I would start out small to get the hang of it. It takes some getting used to.

This piece is called "The Soul Knows". It's 6" x 6" x 1 1/2" cradled canvas panel. I cut this quote from a book that attributed it to Plato. I don't know if he actually said it but I liked the quote. The background is one of my CitraSolv papers. I just darkened the edges with walnut ink and then bravely mixed up a batch of resin. It doesn't smell bad; just a chemical smell. Of course, I had a lot of ventilation and my plastic gloves on, as they advise. Then I poured.

One thing about photographing these pieces. You can't help but get a glare from the resin. So, the top photo has the glare from the window and my big head (sorry for that). Here is an alternate version of the piece sitting on a shelf. The glare here is from a light in the ceiling. You can get a better view of the colors in the piece, I think:

Here is a side view to get a better view of the resin-coated front:

I really like working with the resin. I'll definitely do it again. It isn't that hard really. You just need to be sure that your conditions are perfect while the piece is curing. I happened to get dust on mine because I didn't cover it fast enough (maybe I should dust before doing another one?). I'll definitely cover it immediately after I get rid of the air bubbles. I did manage to get it smooth as glass and have no air bubbles. While I was busy patting myself on the back for that accomplishment, I neglected to cover it quickly enough to protect it from dust particles. :(

Other things are in the works and I will post those as soon as they are ready. My Muse and I are definitely on speaking terms again. She is very happy with me right now. We went on a little shopping spree on Etsy and found some awesome buys for collage art. Now, back to experimenting.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very cool! I loved using resin...trying to talk my DH to help me again with my next project. So glad you and your muse are on speaking terms...love the results you two come up with.

By the way your blog looks great on my DH's laptop computer. I can see Andy's face. So cool!

Bill said...

The only word I can think of to describe this is "amazing!"

Michele said...

This is very cool. I totally envy you being able to just try everything. I would love to do this with my pieces, but am so scared I will mess it up.

I can't wait to see more pieces like this. What you made here looks great, and the resin is so perfectly smooth it's like glass. Awesome job!

Jackie said...

WOW!! This piece is so awesome..

Kay said...

Pam,
I am loving your new work that you & your muse are doing!! It really is amazing!! Haven't been on LMM much lately but I am still out here in art space, lol....Talk soon!! Do you wrap the canvas for pouring like in encaustic, just had to ask?? Smiles, Kay

Pam Tucker said...

Hi Kay! So glad to hear from you!! I tape the sides with painters tape and then pour so it won't run over the sides.

Big HUG!! :)

Heather said...

Hey Pam, thanks so much for sharing. What kind of resin are you using and where do you buy it?