Thursday, March 4, 2010

A transparent life

When your life takes on a large project like sorting your fabric and other supplies to merge them with someone else's, it becomes all consuming. Since no one wants to come to an art blog on a daily basis to read about sorting, labeling, staging, creating zones, etc., I took a few minutes today to become more transparent.


This is similar to a tape transfer, except it was made using OLD clear book covering (similar to contact paper). I've read you cannot use the new clear because it doesn't stick the same, so won't work for transfers. I'm not sure if the information is true or not, since mine is quite old, but I just wanted to add the warning, in case it is true. The woman, a magazine image turned into a transparency, was mounted over a sheet of angled phone book page. As with all my images, please click to enlarge.


This is the same technique, except this time, the background around the woman was much lighter, so the phone book background shows up better.


This is a work in progress that I started yesterday, using some of my painted deli paper on cardboard. The image has a piece of transferred sheet music on her face.

This was really a happy accident. I accidentally dropped a piece of the sticky clear book cover that the protective backing had been removed from, on top of a scrap of sheet music. When I tried to remove the tape, it was stuck. Since I hoard my sheet music, I save it all, even a small scrap. To salvage the piece, I made sure I had good contact with the sheet music, then soaked in very warm water for about 20 minutes and proceeded to turn the sheet music into a tape transfer. I'm not sure how I'll finish it, yet, but it's started, at least.

Today's blog belongs to fiber artist, Judi Wellnitz. Her fabric and fiber art is wonderful, as are her tutorials. I just found her blog, but spent quite a bit of time there last night. Be sure to check out her archives, too. If you are interested in fabric and fiber art, Judi's blog will be very informative, useful, and artistically inspiring.

15 thoughtful remarks:

Diane said...

I love the way these transfers turned out--almost ghost like, which is the way I would want it. I have clear contact paper--will that work the same? (I've done the tape transfer method before, but just on the packing tape)

Unknown said...

These are beautiful, I especially like the second transfer piece- the espression on her face and the overall transparency gove this such an etheral quality- very well done!

Terri Kahrs said...

Your transfers are awesome, Elizabeth! Hugs, Terri xoxo

Healing Woman said...

The women have haunting looks on their faces, which I love. I can visualize a large canvas filled with faces. Thankyou for posting your method. Ideas are buzzing through my head. Your new piece with the musical notes will be great.

Teresa aka Tess said...

I too think these have a haunting ghost like quality. The ladies seem to look almost mysterious. Thanks for sharing the technique you used. I just might have some old contact paper hidden somewhere here. The little one with the sheet music face is really cute.

Caterina Giglio said...

my dear your transfers have me godsmacked!! they are simply stunning and I will have to go to my studio to see if I have any old clear contact paper! you are such an inspiration!! oh and I do adore your organization posts!xx

Dianne said...

really really like the beginning of your deli paper art...my kind of color! the music on the child's face was a great 'accident'...look forward to seeing the completed piece!

Donna: said...

As always beautiful pieces, all of them. I could never get tape transfers to work out. You have the touch.

Linda Gibbons said...

Very nice, Elizabeth. Love those beautiful, barely there faces.

thekathrynwheel said...

OOOh, very nice indeed. Your image transfers are awesome :-) Kate

Marlynn said...

Love all three of the transfers! As the other's have said there is a haunting quality to both of the female faces. Love the phone book page behind them. The music transfer is GREAT! I can't wait to see the final product. I too, as you know, also like your organization posts!

Seth said...

Great looking transfers! The second one is my favorite.

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Your transfers are fab E!!! Not only did you have the "older" kind of contact paper that works, you knew exactly where it was as organized as you are!
oxo

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth, your transfers are fantastic! They all turned out great.

Cindy :)

Debrina said...

The transfer results are positively haunting, Elizabeth! I love them!!!!