Working with vintage found objects is one of my favorite pastimes. Of course, using those objects in artwork is part of that but I think the even bigger joy of found objects is the hunt. I love looking for old stuff that can be adhered to a flat surface. Although jewelry is a definite part of that, it’s the other things that were never meant to embellish anything in particular that most fascinate me. So, I look for old beaded things that I can cut up, or a highly textured piece of glass that I can break, or such things as you see here – an unusual clothespin, a carved wooden pen, electrical elements, clock parts, a watchband, and even a poker chip.

I attempt to always use a dozen or two vintage objects in each of my artworks but sometimes, things work in favor of including a larger number. As I searched my found object boards and bins for this artwork’s embellishments, I kept finding old pieces that fit perfectly with the design I was creating. And, yes, this art piece does have many embellishments – around 150 (plus beads) but 50 of those embellishments are vintage found objects!

So, now it’s time for the all-official write up for this latest assemblage canvas.

When I started this Assemblage canvas, the only direction in my head was to strive for a rather extravagant piece using a combination of blues and green. The large flower that serves as the focal point is from a vintage belt. Surrounding it are around 150 embellishments (of which 50 are vintage found objects) and dozens of beads. 

Measuring 20″ x 10″, it’s slightly larger than my usual offerings. Texture plays an important role with a background built from multiple coats and spritzes of paint and waxes over several stencil designs utilizing dimensional paste. Pieces of a vintage purse and old beaded collar enhance its intricate background. On a gallery wrapped canvas, the depth of this piece is 3.0″. 

Just what is Assemblage? It’s the creation of a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, my assemblage art pieces contain numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments.  

Here those vintage found objects include various belt sections, large leaf pendant, chandelier embellishment, electrical elements, bits of beaded collar and purse, beaded leaves and bee, bracelet segments, clothespin, buttons, mermaid, wooden ink pen, earring, clock face piece, poker chip, 1980s jewelry makings, chain bracelet, watchband, necklace sections, and metal rose and flowers.

Newer elements include the beads, metal bird, glass bottle, winged heart, filigreed pieces, various metal leaves, crowned heart, arrow, cabochons, metal flowers, plaster rounds, paper and polymer clay embellishments, a number of metal embellishments, flower and diamond beads, and large blue bead.

A wire hanger is attached. With the gallery wrapped canvas and finished sides, there is no need for framing. 

$189.00

Purchase at my Etsy Shop

Dimensions: 20.0″ x 10.0″ x 3.00″

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

I just returned from Eureka Springs School of the Arts where I took a four day class in Polymer Clay Mosaics. I’ll be writing longer posts soon about both this class and a Papier Mache class I took as well earlier this summer. But I’m excited about this new-to-me art form and had to share with you my first piece. There will be more mosaics to come – that’s a certainty!

Vicky

Last fall, I started two new lines. One features larger found object collages and the second, you see here – every embellishment is handmade by yours truly. Tedious? Kinda sorta. But when you use so many differing materials, boredom isn’t an issue although patience is desirable. I didn’t expect to finish this in a few weeks. It’s the result of me producing dozens of each embellishment you see here. I used around 125 of those embellishments in this work but now, I still have enough embellishments for several more canvases.

So, now to tell you all about my first collage of handmade embellishments…

Last fall, I began preparing to create assemblage wall art with all handmade embellishments. I learned a number of new techniques and started creating. This mixed media collage represents the first of this new all-handmade line. 

Measuring 20.0″ x 16.0″, this piece contains over 125 handmade embellishments. Elements are made of tyvek, plaster, paper sculpture paste, paper clay, thick foil, and polymer clay. 

The color palette takes my breath away even after living with it for weeks as I created this piece. 

The paper sculpture paste plays a large part here as it makes up the background texturing and a number of the embellishments. 

When you purchase an item from my shop, the cost of shipping is included in the listed price even though Etsy has added free shipping verbiage to the overall description. 

Hangers are attached – this Assemblage Art piece is ready for hanging. With its gallery-wrapped canvas and overall texturing, it needs no framing.

$295.00

Available for purchase at my Etsy Shop

Dimensions: 20.0″ x 16.0″ x 2.0″

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

 

Coming soon… a 20″ x 16″ assemblage canvas where every embellishment is handmade by yours truly.

Last year, I started planning two new artistic endeavors related to my current line of Assemblage Wall Art. I have a number of these now hanging on my art studio wall that I’ll be introducing over the next weeks. The first is assemblage wall art that is ALL handmade – meaning I fashion every single element using a variety of art forms. The second is larger wall art which held its on challenges. If you are creating on a larger canvas, you require larger found objects for perspective.

I’m eager to share. More shortly…

Vicky

Here in Oklahoma, we’re experiencing the hottest part of the summer with “real feel” temps hovering around 110 degrees. That means I’m spending even less time running around during the day and instead staying in – enjoying the comfort and coolness of my art studio.

My smaller art section is growing as I have several new pieces ready for posting. This is the first – The Blue Raven – and I love the mixture of blue and bronze with a touch of silver.

My Mini Art line is now referred to as Small Art. Most mini art is… well, mini. And a 4″ x 4″ canvas doesn’t really qualify as such. So, I’m slowly changing all the descriptions from mini to small.

And now for those official words describing The Blue Raven in detail…

Titled The Blue Raven, this little piece of steampunk is one of my favorite smaller pieces to date. It’s an original 3D collage measuring 4″ x 4″ x 1.5″. The colors draw me in with a mixture of medium blues and gray accentuated by bronze and a deep silver with spritzes of highlighting color and metallic wax. The background is textured with dimensional paste. Found objects used to form this design include a vintage belt piece, an old imitation coin, gears, raven, cabochons, shield, word tag, and leaves.

$49.95

Purchase at Etsy

Dimensions: 4.0″ x 4.0″ x 1.5″ 

For hanging, I prefer using the canvas frame to do so. Blue Raven can be framed although I don’t believe this type of works needs framing. It also displays nicely on an easel.

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.

One of my latest creations – a 12.0″ x 4.0″ assemblage collage with a definite steampunk vibe. This skinny piece is a popular size, fitting just about anywhere either singly or with a wall arrangement.

Things continue to roll in my art studio as I’m finally able to create several designs that have been dwelling in my mind’s eye for a number of months. I’m also in the process of restructuring my Etsy shop, removing much of the custom made inventory and giving it a fresh look.

Now for the official talk on this Skinny Steampunk Collage!

This 12.0″ x 4.0″ Assemblage collage features a raven sitting on high, supported by both an old button and vintage belt link. This particular size is especially popular as a unique accent piece for your wall – it’s lovely, displayed alone or works beautifully in a wall arrangement.  

The depth of this piece is 1.50″. The background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and waxes. Thirty embellishments were then added of which nine are vintage found objects.

Vintage objects include a toy railroad track, various bracelet sections, jewelry, buttons, and belt sections. Newer elements include cabochons, beads, metal embellishments, leaves, face, wings, and raven.  

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this Assemblage Art piece is ready for framing. It will also display nicely on an easel.

$64.95

Full Details

Available at Etsy

Dimensions: 12.0” x 4.0” x 1.50″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.

This latest work carries a definite contemporary vibe even with the numerous vintage found objects forming the core of the design. I’m calling it Vintage Eclectic. I was crazy about the ringed metal necklace I discovered at an estate sale about a year ago and have been waiting for just the right piece of art to feature it. And I still have part of that necklace waiting to use at another time – that’s the beauty of assemblage work.

I’ve been madly creating after taking time from my artwork for several trips and Cousins Camp. I have four other new art pieces lined up to post in the next week or two and I’m excited to be on another roll!

And now for the official writeup…

Vintage Eclectic

When I started this Assemblage canvas, I saw in my mind’s eye a more modern look to go with the vintage metal ring necklace segment and the 1980s gold belt sections. The clock face sits on an overturned base of an old brassy box complete with fluted legs. And I set it off further with an old wooden pen and a plaster two tulip piece which originally was a decorative element for a chandelier.

Texture plays an important role with a background built from multiple coats and spritzes of paint and waxes over several stencil designs utilizing dimensional paste. On a 14.0″ x 11.0″ gallery-wrapped canvas, the overall depth is 3.0″.

Just what is Assemblage? It’s the creation of a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, my assemblage art pieces contain numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments. This Assemblage Canvas contains around 75 found objects or newer elements plus dozens of brass beads.

Here those vintage found objects include pieces of two pearl purses, pressed glass, sections of two belts, box base, decorative tulip strip, buttons, portions of various bracelets, necklace segments, leaf earring, wooden pen, and tin candy mold.

Newer elements include the clock face, rabbit, gears, charms, leaves, colored beads, plastic berries, cabochons, eye, small brass beads, and other metal embellishments. 

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this Assemblage Art piece is ready for hanging. With its gallery-wrapped canvas, it needs no framing. 

$149.00

Full Details

Purchase at Etsy

Dimensions: 14.0″ x 11.0″ x 3.0″

All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley.