"If you hear a voice within you say, 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." --Vincent van Gogh

Monday, January 14, 2008

Take It Further - January Challenge

I am participating in Sharon B's "Take It Further" Challenge this year. I think I might have mentioned it before. On the first of each month, Sharon will issue a challenge. Actually, she will issue two ... one being an idea or possibly a technique, and the other being a color scheme. Those participating get to choose which to complete. This month I chose the color scheme, which I found very pleasing and is picuted here:



I decided to create a paper collage, roughly 5"x7" in size. I began by gathering papers in the assigned colors. I also gathered some paints. Here is where I started:


And here is where I ended up! I'm really quite pleased with the result. Collage is still a "new" medium for me to work in. I painted, stamped, and embellished many of the papers. The quote in the center reads, " 'Hope' is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all." ~ Emily Dickinson. I would be happy to get feedback on this piece, so let me know what you think!



Note: I have just learned that this collage was accepted for Virginia Spiegel's "Collage Mania" Fiber Art for a Cause to support the American Cancer Society. It will be available for sale through her site, May 5th and 6th. I'm so pleased!

13 comments:

Jeanne Turner McBrayer said...

I love it! Did you stitch through the papers? It looks like some free-motion quilting.

Anonymous said...

This is really nice Michelle, I think you did a great job with it. The colours look balanced to me and the textures are great as well.

I was going to participate in that but when she put the list of names up mind wasn't on it. I guess I thought since we were both wordpress she'd get the website by clicking something. When I didn't see my name I thought just as well anyway and I'm feeling over-committed at this point anyway.

Cathie said...

I got to see this little lovely in person -- it's really pretty!!

Sequana said...

Very nice work. We seem to have a lot in common. Watch your mail.
*S*

andrea said...

the colors are beautiful and your collage is gorgeous! great work!!

Barbara Hagerty said...

Very lovely collage, Michelle!

And congratulations for submitting a piece to such a worthy cause! I applaud you!

Kay said...

Lovely! And what a success for early collage work!

sharonb said...

Yep I think it is great too!

mzjohansen said...

It's really a beautiful piece. Congratulations on such success!

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wonderful Michelle, Congratulations. Your art is escalating to a higher level. Very Cool.

Wiseguy

Terri Stegmiller said...

It's very lovely Michelle. I really like that quote and the colors all work very well together.

Anonymous said...

Michelle - Thank you for donating your collage to Collage Mania II. Your ATC is going out today.

Karen - The more the merrier! Anyone can participate and you don't have to let me know in advance. I'm sorry if I corresponded with you and then didn't add your name to those planning on participating in Collage Mania II. I have been on an e-mailing clearing bing.

Please write again or just send in your jpeg if you find you have time. It's all good and all proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society.

Warm regards, Virginia
VirginiaATVirginiaSpiegel.com

morningDove said...

Michelle: your collage seems to be very balanced. Lights on one side and darks on the other. The bright pink/purple flowers draw you into the middle. I love the skeleton leaf. Are the "doodle trails" ink or drops of paint? Did you use buttons or brads? I love the rough uneven edges. It is a great piece of work.