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
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
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
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.
Earlier this year, I accepted a commission to create a piece of art from treasured family pieces discovered when shifting through the burned remains of a home destroyed by fire. And here is the result. All but two of the elements in this piece were in that fire.
When given the treasured objects, I knew by simply a glance that here were the makings of a beautiful piece of art. This creation is made completely from those family memories – I didn’t add a single bead or other element other than the wood support that lifts the center of the design. I didn’t need to paint a single piece to provide a better overall blend of colors. The final piece measures 12″ x 12″ x 2″.
Not only was this a family treasure but it was a treasure for this artist! It was both a privilege and a delight to form beauty from ashes.
I accept commissions of this sort. Often, it is required to tone down a bright gold or silver piece to provide a cohesive end product. You can choose the general background color or, as this owner did, instruct me to choose for them. One particular note though – your pieces may be taken apart to build the design – such as beads on a necklace or earring studs.
My thanks goes out to the owner of these treasured pieces (that are now one) for allowing me to share her artwork with you. It is truly one of my most remarkable creations.
Vicky
I was feeling a touch of spring when creating this latest Assemblage Canvas. With a pair of beautiful rosy pink flowers serving as the focal point, many of the other embellishments add to the feel of an emerging spring. For me, Spring always brings with it new ideas and aspirations and the IMAGINE charm sums all that up so nicely.
When purchasing, you have the option of changing the word from IMAGINE to another inspirational word at no additional cost. You will find the choices under Spiritual Tag. If you want the artwork as pictured, choose IMAGINE from the options.
Choices include Breathe, Listen, Believe, Imagine, Destiny, Journey, Cherish.
Measuring 10.0″ by 8.0″ with a depth of 1.50″, the background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and metallic wax. Embellishments are then adhered to the canvas to form a three-dimensional design.
You’ll find around 50 embellishments in this piece of Assemblage art. A number are actually vintage found objects including the large brass button, sections of a pearl purse, imitation coins, earring, fan sections, poker chip, smaller button, and an electrical component.
Newer elements include the plaster flowers, lotus flower, various metal filigreed shapes, a selection of metal leaves, bunny, transparent heart, several cabochons, beads, and the Imagine word tag.
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.
Dimensions: 10.0″ x 8.0″ Depth 1.5″.
$79.95
Available for purchase at my Etsy Shop.
All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.
I’m back in a Steampunk mode again. It’s in demand, my Steampunk inventory is low again, and I love creating in this Victorian science fantasy sub-genre. It’s eclectic and whimsical, leading to some rather fascinating collages.
Now for the official writeup…
Steampunk Assemblage Art, this time on a 10″ x 8″ canvas. Assemblage describes the process of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, it contains numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments.
Its background is textured first with stenciled modeling paste then finished off with a number of paints and spritzes. Primary colors here are shades of copper, bronze, and turquoise.
Vintage elements include adding machine key, chain, belt segments, red beads, and bolt. Newer pieces complete this steampunk look with items such as gears, button, cap nut, Namaste word tag, and various metal embellishments. The script is made of polymer clay by yours truly.
Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. This piece will also display nicely on a large table easel.
Dimensions: 10.0″ x 8.0″ x 1.0″
$79.95
Available for purchase at my Etsy Shop
All Assemblage Art pieces sold at Art Creations by Vicky are original works from artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.
It’s been busy around here as usual but this time with aspects of my commitment to art other than creating art to sell. I’m back in gear and working intently on a “two makes one” piece of art – two 12″ x 24″ canvases that hang together to form one design. When on the wall, the piece will measure 25″ x 24″.
This two piece design is actually in its second life. I had the first set of two well on the way with a background covered in an intricate one-of-a-kind texture and many of the embellishments adhered to the canvas when I put a hole in the canvas. Eeek – ouch – that has never happened to me before! I was using my gourd carver to adjust that “oh so special” texture and wham! The burr went right through the canvas. Problem? I couldn’t recreate the background on a new second canvas that matched the remaining undamaged original. And I won’t use a patched canvas on a piece I’m selling. So, I removed all those embellishments (I had some great found objects expertly adhered) and ended up cutting the second canvas to pieces as I salvaged nearly every piece. Gah.
For a brighter art tale, I’ve discovered the glory of deeper canvases for smaller works. Creating these smaller works on gallery wrapped canvases are such a delight. Measuring 7.0″ x 5.0″ x 2.25″, it’s a terrific shape to display in multiple spaces. It works well in a wall arrangement and is especially effective in your smaller spaces – a smaller wall, a nook, or that skinny wall.
Now for the official description of this newest work…
A BIT OF WHIMSEY MIXED with a lot of steampunk makes this Assemblage Canvas creation especially eye-catching. And it reminds us that “Reality has limits. Imagination is boundless.”
Measuring 7.0″ by 5.0″ with a depth of 2.25″, the background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and metallic wax. On a gallery wrapped canvas, its deeper dimension makes for a wonderful wall display.
Dimensions: 7.0″ x 5.0″ Depth 2.25″
$59.95
Available for purchase at my Etsy shop
All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.
Hope you are enjoying the change of seasons – even if winter is hanging on a little too long or your spring is already stormy. (Prayers for Alabama and Georgia).
Vicky