Recent Attempts at Assemblage
Recent attempts at assemblage came about from my interest in fiber and 3D objects. Sometimes it can be scary to try a new direction. Moving in a new direction is something that I generally do very slowly.The assemblage art form utilizes found objects that appeal to my deep sensibility for using redirected or upcycled materials. I had been adding 3D found objects to my art quilts since the beginning of my art career. The time came for me to further my skills by taking a class on assemblage. If I can try something new, so can you.
Under the Beautiful Redwoods-2018
Back in the Fall of 2018, I participated in an assemblage class taught by local artist, Janet Silverglate. The day long class met at her house outside under the beautiful redwoods of Felton, California. She introduced us to many new materials and skills. She was generous with both of them. Practicing with an electric drill was a new experience for me. The class learned the importance of working backwards on each piece. Figuring out how to hang or display the piece was one of the first necessary decisions to be made.
The Piece I made in Class
This is the piece that I made. I contributed the fiber background and the metal rim. Janet graciously offered the other parts including the green paper, and large button on the top. She also helped with the process of adjoining all pieces together that I was having trouble accomplishing. While I am pleased with the finished product, I recognize that I had a lot of help.
I thoroughly enjoyed the day completing my first assemblage piece. As with many beginners, I was in awe of the teacher’s skill and proficiency. She had a large room full of materials that she had gathered. I could relate to that process. I also gather materials without considering their future use. However, due to a lack of extra space,I wanted to restrict myself to the materials that I already had. I couldn’t imagine gathering materials for assemblage projects as well as a wide variety of materials for art quilts. Luckily, my inheritance supplied me with a variety of interesting items I could use.
Several Recent Attempts at Assemblage
I took a long while before I felt the creative juices flowing to try something on my own. Maybe the shelter in place helped in that regard. My thoughts were also that a successful piece begins with an interesting framework or support system. I was waiting to find a worthy object.
My husband supplied me with a wooden drawer from a small piece of furniture of his mother’s. The drawer was from some sort of a sewing unit. It had a wooden tray that originally was used to store thread and small items. I turned the tray on its side.
Making Decisions
My inheritance included many sewing items. I found the idea of covering the edges with fabric measuring tape appealing. First, I added screw in hooks to the top for hanging. Then I glued the fabric measuring tape to the sides. Here are some of my other first choices. I moved the buttons around. Eliminating some of the sewing items creates a more general audience appeal.
Trying Different Things
Numerous attempts were made before settling on this final arrangement. I had many empty wooden spools that I wanted to use. Yet, previously I had noticed the lack of color in other people’s empty spool projects. I preferred the addition of some thread color. Luckily, my mother and mother-in-law had left me many sizes and choices of colors. Whimsical animals add fun as well as color!
Another Recent Attempts at Assemblage-A Wooden Spool Wreath
For a long time I looked for inspiration on what I could do with my empty wooden spools. I did have a lot of them. Finally I saw a unique wreath that inspired me to try to make a wreath using them. I happily found red beads to alternate for a holiday look. The framework is a fiber paper plate holder. It is turned upside down so that it will lay flat against the wall. I found a metal clip with a circular ring that I had. It attaches like a clothes pin. How easy was that!
How to String the Spools
I bought several sizes of small width dowels to see which size would fit best. I chose the smallest one possible, less than 1/4″ wide to string the spoons and beads on. At first I tried to have all lengths equal. But I broke a dowel so I had to make do. I think that the different lengths are actually an improvement. Mistakes can be good. The tiniest dab of glue holds each bead and spool in place on the dowel. I repurposed a burlap bow I had received on a recent gift. How serendipitious was that! The finished product hangs in my studio window.
Black Lives Still Matter
What would 2020 be without a sincere homage to Black Lives Matter! I made several similar pieces using patriotic red,white and blue ribbons. On the white part of the ribbons, I wrote A Violation Should Not Be A Death Sentence and Black Lives Matter. It has been obvious to me for years now that black people were shot and killed rather than just arrested or ticketed for a violation. Now another variation piece has Equal Rights For All written on the ribbons.
In conclusion, this year of Shelter in Place gave me the time to set aside any fears that I may have had about trying something new. Recent attempts at asssemblage helped me develop my new portfolio. Thanks for letting me share them with you.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts/
Check out Janet’s work.
https://www.janetsilverglate.com/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/01/first-steps-towards-assemblage/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/art-quilt-galleries/assemblage-3d-collage/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/03/beginning-steps-to-creating/