Collage

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of mixed media projects.  Some of the collages look a little too busy for me but I saw this YouTube video (http://vimeo.com/12756256) and liked the results. I decided to give it a try.

My subject matter was a visit to my friend's cabin in Oregon.  I arranged my reversed photo images (laser printer, regular printer paper) and Oregon encyclopedia pages on an 8 x 10 canvas covered board (purchased at Michael's):

Arrangement

Using matte medium I attached encyclopedia pages to the board, then added color with both acrylic paint and soft pastels:

Background

For some reason, I trimmed down one of the photos and regretted it but was too lazy to print another one.  I brushed matte medium on the front of the photos and applied them to the background face down, using a brayer and whatever else I could find to make sure they were firmly attached:

Adding photos

The hard part was leaving it to dry overnight.  The fun part was removing the paper.  I brushed water over the photographs and slowly began to rub the paper off of the prints.  I used my fingers but on the YouTube video it looks like the guy is using a sandpaper block.  I had to use moderate pressure so I was glad I didn't use stretched canvas because I think it might have warped:

Removing paper

I didn't really like the overall results so I decided it would be my experimental sample, giving me an excuse to try more techniques.  I added some leaves using modeling paste and stencils.  I let the modeling paste dry and then painted the shapes:

Adding and painting shapes

Next time I'll try to simplify the look by using only one photograph with less detail.  I'll also simplify my colors and maybe work a little on scale:

End Result

The whole process was fun and I'll definitely try again.

Resources and other ideas:

http://www.alternativephotography.com/wp/processes/transfers-and-lifts/mixed-media-collage-and-photo-transfer-to-canvas)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJMVwXJv5z8

http://vimeo.com/12756256

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoFSRbW_ZoY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfMq_F-4Hbs&feature=fvwp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB75ZLvLHb8