Mixed Media Artists Painting Papers With Your Old Junk

Sometimes you just have to move away from junking for antiques and collectibles and concentrate on junking with art. In my art studio junk is what I use to make art! Nothing gets thrown out and everything that is hanging around can be grabbed and converted as an art tool.

Saving Junk In Plastic Boxes

For example I have plastic boxes filled with bubble wrap, old game parts, broken toys, sewing notions, vintage kitchen tools, expired plastic credit cards, candy box inserts and more. These objects can be used to draw with or create fabulous designs and textures.

Making Marks On Paper

Recently, I offered a small workshop in my studio at The Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon, CT on how to loosen up with mixed media techniques. Our group started off by making marks on papers with all kinds of  tools and media and than added acrylic paints and inks.

Tearing Up Papers For Mixed Media Art Collages

Later these papers will be torn up and re-assembled as  abstract mixed media art work . The images shown are the painted papers before they get torn up. As you can see, some of these "raw" papers look good just the way they are.

Participants  arrived to my studio with drawing paper, inks, acrylic paints, oil pastels, chalks, dry media, brushes and  JUNK.

Unconventional Art Materials And Tools

It is the junk part that is what I am focusing on in this post. While traditional art materials are key supplies for making collages and mixed media art, it is the unconventional tools that really add something special to abstract mixed media. One fella I  know uses pastry knives and window squeegees to smear his paint. My friend folds pieces of heavy cardboard and prefers to paint with the edge of the cardboard instead of using a brush. I love my sacred putty knife.

Don't Throw Out Broken Dishes

For those of you who like to make art, you can find lots of great art stuff in local junk stores and thrift shops. Also be sure to check your garage and basement . And for antique dealers reading this article, don't be so quick to throw out broken objects. Many artists are interested in your broken tiles, dishes and even glassware.And old kitchen tools may be in lousy condition to sell for very much as a collectible, but they may make a mixed media artist very happy.  

For more information about The Farmington Valley Arts Center see http://www.artsfvac.org/.

 Also visit my Pinterest,com board on this topic http://pinterest.com/kitschnstuff/art-classes-at-fvac/

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café. To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com Dianne is a member of: The American Society of Journalists and Authors The Society of Professional Journalists

Altered Doll Assemblages: Using Up Your Vintage Junk

Creating Dolls Out of Vintage Junk

I would love to be able to try my hand at making Altered Doll Assemblages out of vintage odds and ends. Like many of you who are reading my blog, we are a group that enjoys collecting and saving everything!. Right now in my garage are at least four large plastic boxes filled with "stuff" that I am saving for a future craft project (I think).

What's In My Boxes Of Saved Junk

Broken china plates.
Orphaned shakers.
Missing puzzle pieces.
Lids without bottoms.
Vases without handles.
Books without covers.
Bent kitchen tools.
Dolls without legs or arms.
Cracked bowls.
Toy parts.
Naked trolls.
Twisted toy kitchen utensils.
Rusty tins.
Old keys.
Toy money.
Cups without saucers.
Maimed dolls.
Chipped figurines.
Unknown parts.
Vintage plastic lids.
Old jewelry parts.
Broken necklaces.
Torn rubber toys.
Ripped old paper fans.
Yo-Yos without string.
Thermos top.
Plastic vintage spoon.
Jar covers.
Wooden game pieces.

Surely, I could make a vintage inspired assemblage doll? So what is stopping me? I'll confess...my avoidance is related to Epoxy! After once making an assemblage for a charity auction ( I made "Mah Jongg Lady" out of a brick), I was traumatized by using Epoxy.It was an adhesive nightmare. If readers could share some tips about making doll assemblages that are user friendly...I'm willing to try. Feel free to spill the beans.

By the way, what's in your junk boxes?

These lovely dolls were found at Woodstock Antiques in Woodstock, CT.

C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of I Antique Online an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link: C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.comVisit my website, CDianneZweig.comDianne is a member of:The American Society of Journalists and AuthorsThe Society of Professional Journalists