So So SoJie

MY WORK HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR SoJie 21!

I am very excited to have my art selected, from over 73000 works of art, to exhibit in *SoJie 21*. SoJie 21 takes its name from the first letters of *Solo's Juried Invitational Exhibition*. This month is the 21st one; and 77 other artists, besides myself, are represented at RedBubble for this competition.

*Winners of the invitational* will be announced on May 29th, when a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded in three categories: digital art, photography, and traditional art.

*Non members, as well as members*, ARE welcome to view all of the work nominated. So I hope that you will click the show and follow the link to view my fellow exhibitors. The works are shown "gallery size" and are beautiful, seen together.


http://www.redbubble.com/people/kanchanmahon/works/8164207-rosaline?c=157308-lush

You can lend support by commenting in here, about the show.

Good-nite from New York
~Kanchan

I'm Feeling Fine And So Is My Spine

I am feeling fine and so is my spine. Surgery is no longer looming on the horizon so I've noticed my back is back. Limber and pain free.

I went back to work the day after Christmas, but I haven't gotten back in the collage groove till the last week.

Here's one of my latest ... It's called Mother's Lap


Goodnight from New York

~Kanchan

Answers To The Making of Collage

I'm three weeks into recovery from a second spinal surgery and I am quite and properly bored.

I have to lay down almost all the time, so it's lucky I have this i Pad to stay in touch.

I recently received a wonderful message from a reader with a lot of questions about the making of collage. I requested that she ask her questions here so that other people who have similar questions might enjoy reading the answers.

Anyone else with questions, chime in and ask now.  While i'm out of work it's the best time to ask.
In fact you'd be doing me a favor, by giving me something meaningful to write and work on.

Here are some of her questions:

"Do you combine papers of different weights, different textures, and gloss and matte papers together in the same project? (I have been trying to use similar papers together in the same project; but, find that it can be very limiting.) What magazines do you use--the ones I come across are mostly very thin and flimsy. Which glue stick do you use? I have tried several different types of glue and glue sticks and have not been completely happy with any of them. Sometimes the glue sticks leave the paper stiff and don't give a permanent hold. And, at times, other glues will buckle the paper. How do you get all of the edges of the paper glued down without getting glue smears on the top of your collage? Do you ever work with wallpaper samples and, if you do, does the glue stick work on them as well? Once the collage is finished, do you apply Mod Podge or some kind of gel medium on the top to seal the entire surface?”

ANSWERS:

1) I definitely combine different weight papers. The variety gives it a varied feel that is hard to get otherwise. 

2)  I’ve learned to stay away from magazines because of copyright issues (more on that later). I have come to rely on a color laser printer and troll the internet for copyright free images.

3)  I use regular glue stick like Avery brand in my case, and I like the “disappearing kind” that’s purple to start and dries clear.

Yes, the hold is not permanent. It varies with the weather, such that items that are mailed often arrive falling apart. 

It helps greatly to bray the images after you glue them down. From the center out I use an old tablespoon to smooth and press the paper firmly.

4)  Decoupage glue is one choice (eg Mod Podge) . It’s just watered down white school glue, so save your money there. It’s very useful if you have your collage mounted on something sturdy like wood. Our basement project re-do yield many, many collage substrates for me. I have not tried it on mat board, but have heard that mat board may also be sturdy enough for this application.

The truly major problem is that white or decoupage glue is water soluble. So any elements, eg stamps, writing, etc should be used with permanenet ink. If not the whole thing will smear and be completely ruined.

5)  The answer seems to be gel medium, I like regular, not matte or glossy, although you should experiment. It’s pricey, I’ll warn you.  So I save it for things that will travel, be on display, are being sold and things I really want to save for posterity. 

Just a quick plug for my calendars which are on sale for $25 on RedBubble.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/kanchanmahon/shop/calendars?ref=portfolio_product_refinement

Also coffee table book of my art is available through Blurb, but it is quite pricey (actually ridiculously pricey). I'm not sure  its worth it for 60 images. But I made it for parents and grandparents, so they'll get them from us as gifts. That is why I chose to make a larger more expensive book. If you want to check it out:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3833803

file://localhost/Users/brendanmahon/Desktop/IMG_2889.JPG

I will certainly write again before Christmas. Hope to hear more questions, especially from our recently curious reader.

I hope everyone is excited by the holiday fun (and not too bothered by the holiday hype).

Till then~
Goodnight from New York

Beautiful Fall

I  will be posting  more often and today I thought I should return to my attempt at teaching collage.

What I would like to do is see your efforts. It would be a great way to teach, to see each others art.

So I am off to find the proper tool that would allow you guys to post your art here on my blog.  But first, how many of you would post your work (collage or other medium).  I’ll only get that application  if you guys are willing to use it.

Leave me a message!

I made this as a prize for the winner of a deviantArt  contest:

Elaine Waiting

Don’t you just love those Gibson Girls? I’ve been wanting to incorporate one of them to a collage for a while now:

Absinth

And who can resist Alice?

Alice

These are some more collages I have made this past week and a half while I am stuck at home. The recovery is not so bad as missing the early Fall weather!  Today I go out to see just one patient, but I’ll savor the balmy temperature and sunshine.

Good day from New York,

~Kanchan

Slow and Steady

Remember that tortoise, who beat that hare?  They say that slow and steady wins the race. Well I’m not running a race but getting better sure feels like a long road. The good news is I am slowly but noticeably getting better.

I had surgery on my spine. Have to learn to walk all over again, what a pain! Yes there is a lot of pain too, but I’m managing it just fine.

Meanwhile, while on bed-rest or (armchair rest) I have been a busy bee. So here are my  rehabilitation efforts.

This one I made in the hospital. I always loved this baby! They are so precious together.

A Woman with Her Child

The Queen of Roses

I’ve made about 10 more since home from the hospital, but I will show you a few at a time! So you hopefully enjoy them more.

 

 Good-day from New York,
~Kanchan

Hello all!

I woke up in a fine mood today. My eyes opened and (temporarily) I forgot I would be in pain the moment I tried to move.

Funny thing about backs … you really take them for granted until you can’t twist your torso. You know, just reaching your arm to the side uses the lower back.

But my problem is trying to do too much.


Yes, I was warned!

And yes, I have a warden  … uh I mean uh-husband.

But laying down is booooooooooooring!

Sitting is painful, and I’m supposed to limit it to 30 minutes at a time.

How can you make a collage in 30 minutes I ask?




Well I’ve made eleven this past week.



This one I sat too long, but I absolutely looove the results. It’s an old-new thing for me.

May

ThenI did this on the bed  (arghhh)

in stages, so that was good

 You Are My Heaven

This is my favorite.

I made it in the hospital.

Breaking

I can almost feel the terrible pain she was in at this stage in her life, but never the hopelessness or despair. That’s what took her under.

Small posts these days, just to catch you up.

Great day from New York,

~Kanchan

Well, I just need some kind thoughts.

I am not doing well after spinal surgery.  I was hoping to be back from the hospital after one day, but had to be re-admitted. Now it's five days later ... My surgeon is  going to talk with me soon.

So I know all you guys can help with your warmth and affection. I believe  in the power of positive thinking, the forces to be harnessed in prayer, good karma and positive vibes. They are healing tools and have effected great changes in my life.

I'm too tired to say more now, but I did make two collages today. I can't post them from the hospital right now, but maybe my daughter will  post one tonight.

They are like little prayers, my collages, dreams for a better day, a more meaningful chance or conexxion.   So hope you will enjoy the little  mother with child she will post for me later.

Love, 
~Kanchan