Sunday, October 5, 2008

Found Object Art

We had our first class, and it turns out there are three of us in the class. We spent the first half of class discussing the artists whose work we will attempt to mimic: Louise Nevelson, Robert Rauschenberg, and Joseph Cornell. Our instructor, Terry, brought books about the artists and explained how each used found objects in their work. For the Nevelson project, we will create a shallow relief sculpture within a box that involves pattern, repetition, uniformity, and a monochromatic color scheme. We spread out the found objects that we brought and started to figure out which ones to use. As Terry went around and looked at the found objects, he had a lot of ideas and suggestions about what could be used for each of the projects.

By the next class we should have the box and all of the objects painted with 2-3 coats of paint. Then we'll arrange the pieces and glue them in place with liquid nails. Cathy took the white paint home and gave me a container over the weekend. I have the box and about 75% of my objects painted. Today I played around with how to put it all together and it's not as easy as it seems. I thought I had it pretty well figured out until everything toppled over. I think it's time to start gluing.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Ready, Set, Blog

"Come to the edge, He said. They said: We are afraid. Come to the edge, He said. They came, He pushed them, and they flew..."
--Guillaume Apollinaire

Welcome to lost and found. This is where I will share my adventures as a mixed media artist working primarily with found objects, rejectamenta, and recycled materials. Tomorrow is the first day of the "Found Object Art" class that my friend, Cathy, and I are taking at the Cleveland Institute of Art. We found out that we're the only two people who signed up for the class! According to the syllabus, our first project will be inspired by the sculpture of Louise Nevelson. I found a book of her art at the library and I'm really excited to get started. I just finished packing my bag of found objects and art supplies, so I'm ready to go.