Yes, my heart is full of thanks – it’s a standard I strive to live by every day. But the hearts I’m talking about today are the little ones I started handcrafting recently to include as thank you gifts to buyers of my Assemblage Art pieces.

I find that knowing the basics of sculpting with polymer clay, either by hand or using molds, is a valuable tool for the Assemblage or Mixed Media artist. If you can’t find a particular piece – either among your found objects or new embellishments – to fill that hole or serve as the focal point in a specific artwork, your choices are unlimited when you turn to polymer clay for the solution.

This time around, polymer clay provided me with a quick and easy little gift for my art customers. I’ll run a ribbon through the heart’s hole and tie it around the tissue-wrapped artwork. I’m thrilled with the result!

The hearts that are pure white are those directly from the oven. Originally, I planned on doing no more to the hearts as the chalky white is attractive as it is. Polymer clay can be painted before or after baking. It can be stained, sprayed, and painted with further detail – for starters. However, I chose to go with wax.

Artist Anna Dabrowska – better known as Finnabair – specializes in Mixed Media and Assemblage Art and works with Prima Marketing to develop Mixed Media products. I adore these products as well as Finnabair’s work. She is such an inspiration. One of her latest releases in the Art Alchemy line is a selection of permanent waxes in a wide variety of colors and finishes. Truly versatile, these waxes provided me with the perfect finish for my little hearts and it only took a minute or two for each heart.

I will have the opportunity to send five of these hearts out in the next few days as my Assemblage Art has really been selling this past week when I just happened to be on vacation!

Vicky

 

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This piece will always remind me of our new puppy Thomas. He’s a black golden doodle who is definitely on the young side of puppyhood, Still unable to trust him to run around, I created an area in my art studio for him where he can play with toys or nap in his bed. So, most of this artwork was created as my little fella slept or played in my studio.

Okay – can you tell I have had puppies on my mind?! Now switching gears to steampunk…

With the exception of one mini canvas, all the artwork with a strong steampunk theme has sold in my shop. So, with my latest creation, I decided to go big on the steampunk elements while giving a nod to the industrial look as well.

It’s a “two piece makes one” art piece. Two 14″ x 11″ canvases join together visually with two sides of a lock set which are then each attached to a wing. The background is black layered with spritzes of coordinating color. This one was hard to photograph. After five separate sessions in varied lighting, I finally realized the metallic sheen on the spritzes just wasn’t going to allow the black foundation to show as much as it does when in hand. Wish my photographer sister and brother-in-law were around to help me with this one! Still, the photographs are 90% on target – just expect a little more black to show in the background.

Now for the official description.

Original Steampunk Art – Two for One Steampunk Canvases

This original steampunk work of art consists of two canvases that make one piece. On two 11″ x 14″ stretched canvases, overall measurements of the work (when you include a 1″ space between the two canvases) are 23″ wide by 14″ high. It’s 3D assemblage art at its best with a background comprised of multiple coats and spritzes of paint with stenciled textured designs and an overall depth of 1.50″. It is sold as a pair.

It seems that I love tiny details and this pair of assemblage canvases proves that point. When I finished this work, I knew I had included many pieces but was surprised to see it contains over 300 embellishments! I usually try to list the embellishments in my assemblage work but this time, I’ll share the highlights…

Let’s start with the vintage found objects. Behind the central design is facial netting from a woman’s hat circa 1950-60. The clock face is vintage as well as the clock gear and inner workings. Other vintage pieces include a mechanical tool pin, an unknown metal tool piece, adding machine keys, typewriter keys, links from two bracelets, metal beads – large, medium, and small, 12V bulb and socket, another 12V bulb, various plastic jewelry elements, buttons, washers, electric wire, hors d’oeuvres fork, earrings, glass oblong bead, and brooch.

The new charms/embellishments/found objects include metal bird, black bird, glass stones, propeller, wings – both large and small, steampunk bird, winged key, mosaic tiles, flying heart, gears of all types and sizes, stars, paper/fabric roses, branches, bow, hinge and latch set, buttons, large decorative beads, pocket watch form, acorns, bark, quote charm stating “reality has limits, imagination is boundless”, and various metal embellishments.

There are attached hangers for wall hanging. Although most of my Assemblage Art pieces can be framed, I don’t suggest framing this steampunk pair. Embellishments hang over the edges as part of the intricate design.

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status – SOLD

Dimensions: Hung as a pair as shown 23″ x 14″ x 1.50″. Hung separately 14″ x 11″ x 1.50″

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

 

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It’s almost ready to go – a two piece Assemblage Art Canvas. And the theme is completely steampunk. It’s about 80% finished and I plan to have it listed next week!

Vicky

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