tips on found object art

4 free assemblage art ideas plus beginners guide to assemblages

presented by cloth paper scissors

1

4 2

1  2 

joseph & me: a beginners guide to assemblage

amy hitchcock

birdscapes: a home for my blackbirds

sue pelletier

3 4 5

storybox
leilani pierson

please play with your food 

jenn mason

 ead mans party skeletal d assemblage

michael
de meng

Looking for a place to perch her papiermch blackbirds, Sue Pelletier sorted through her collection of found objects and created assemblages involving wire, wood, and collage materials that range from bird house sculptures to a bird garden made with an old sugar shaker. In Please Play with Your Food, Jenn Mason shows how opening up faux produce opened up a whole new platform for mixed-media assemblage sculpture. Finally, Michael deMeng puts his Day of the Dead stamp on wedding cake toppers with his tongue-in-cheek skeletal assemblages. So, get out your cast-off wooden boxes, your mint tins, your Dremel tool, and heavy-duty glue, plus your collage supplies, and get ready to make mixedmedia art assemblages. Warmly,

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas Plus Beginners Guide to Assemblages
presented by

Cloth Paper Scissors

online editor

Cate Prato

creative services
Division Art Director

e all collect stuff, dont we? Little pieces of this and that found through junking, scavenging, or just keeping our eyes open to see the rare texture and unusual shape. At a certain point, we want to put these collected treasures together in a meaningful way, and hence, we make assemblage art. In this free eBook, Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas Plus Beginners Guide to Assemblages, we show you four approaches to making an assemblage. Boxed assemblages of collections have been popular since the cabinets of curiosities in the 17th century, and Joseph Cornell elevated them to an art form with a point of view in the mid20th century. So Amy Hitchcock begins with a box and a group of objects that tell a story in The Beginners Guide to Assemblage. Leilani Pierson also tells a story with assemblage collage, but she does it poetically within the tiny canvas of a tin container in what she calls StoryBoxes.

Photographers

Larissa Davis Larry Stein

Projects and information are for inspiration and personal use only. Interweave Press LLC is not responsible for any liability arising from errors, omissions, or mistakes contained in this eBook, and readers should proceed cautiously, especially with respect to technical information. Interweave Press LLC grants permission to photocopy any patterns published in this issue for personal use only.

Where mixed media artists come to play

Cate Prato Online Editor, Cloth Paper Scissors Today

clothpaperscissors.com
Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by
Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
2

joseph & me
a beginners guide to assemblage

Adapted from Cloth Paper Scissors May/June 2010

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews and the Curious Woman in the Red Box 1312" 1234" 334" Assemblage with found objects, 2007 This assemblage is based upon Thomas Gainsboroughs painting, Mr. and Mrs. Andrews (c1750). The Andrewses look so happy and content. I like to think that the curious woman in the red box is about to wreak havoc on their peaceful life. I built the red box, with the porcelain doll head in it, from balsa wood.

by

Amy Hitchcock
clothpaperscissors.com
3

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

am a collector. Im not interested in fine crystal or silver, but instead Im attracted to vintage found objects. Though found objects are often seen as

m at e r i a l s
Sketchbook and pencil Wooden box Found objects (family mementos and photos, vintage paper ephemera, maps, postcards, trading cards) Decorative papers Balsa wood X-acto knife and blades Cutting mat and ruler 5 Minute Epoxy Toothpicks Paintbrushes, old and new Acrylic gel medium Plastic putty knife, 2" Paints (acrylic or latex) Wood stains Beeswax pellets Double boiler

banal and replaceable by some, they hold a beauty that is both familiar and mysterious to me. Theres nothing like a bundle of vintage National Geographic maps, a package of old sewing needles, and a box of bisque doll parts.

I thought I was alone with this obsession, but then one day I came across the work of Joseph Cornell, and I was smitten. For here was a man who created assemblages that were made out of the same found objects that I so loved and cherished. Here were assemblages that told stories that were as common and enigmatic as the materials he used. Suddenly my stash of buttons and corks

took on a whole new meaning. Not only were they beautiful, but they also had a higher artistic purpose. Who could argue with that?

getting started
I often look at old family photos to get inspired. Just about every family has an excellent story about a great, great grandparent worthy of an assemblage. But if you dont, and youre feeling uninspired, I find the best thing to do is to just dive in. I rifle through all of my supplies and set aside the objects that appeal to me. To this collection I add complementary decorative papers and vintage ephemera. Then I look for the perfect box for my assemblage. Having the right size box is very important; all too often an assemblage doesnt quite work because the relationship between the found objects and the box are at odds. Eventually, as I sit with my found objects and paper goods surrounding me, an assemblage/story emerges. I may not have all of my materials, but Im ready to get started.

using a sketchbook
In the past, I worried that I would run out of ideas for my next assemblage. I eventually discovered that once I got started creating, new and often better ideas came to light. The best thing I ever bought to help this creative process along was a small sketchbook. I use it to jot down ideas and information about an assemblage as I work, and any other time ideas come to me. I include what I want an assemblage to look like, the materials Id like to use, and any possible titles. Documenting the evolution of your projects in this way will come in handy when youre feeling uninspired. Flip through your sketchbook, and your next assemblage may be right there.

optional
Miter saw and miter box Wood glue

directions
1.

putting it all together

You may already have an idea where you want everything to go in your assemblage; if not, experiment and play to determine the layout.
2.

Work on the interior of the box first. Decide if your assemblage will have sections or be one space. I use balsa wood to make walls, drawers, and floors in my assemblages to create additional spaces for imagery and found objects, and to make the artwork more interesting to look at. Balsa wood is easy to cut with an X-acto knife, using a ruler and a cutting mat. It can also be painted and stained. Mix the epoxy according to the manufacturers instructions, and adhere the wood pieces. I use toothpicks to both mix and apply the glue. Allow to dry.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
4

joseph cornell
(19031972) Joseph Cornell was a self-taught artist who lived his entire life with his mother and brother in Queens, New York. In 1940, he left his job as a textile designer and pursued his art full time. During the day, he supported his mother and brother (who had cerebral palsy) by working as a freelance art designer for such magazines as Vogue and House and Garden. At night, he worked on his art in his basement studio. To create his poetic and often enigmatic assemblages, he used everyday objects and photographic images of maps, animals, and Renaissance art. With these images and objects, he found a means of communicating his stories, memories, and desires. In addition to creating assemblage art, Cornell was also a filmmaker, diarist, and collagist.

4.

Using a paintbrush, apply a thin layer of acrylic gel medium to the box. Set the papers over the wet gel, making sure they lie flat. Use the plastic putty knife and, working from the center of the paper, smooth out any bubbles or excess glue; this allows the paper to dry without wrinkles or blemishes.

5.

She Knew How to Work a Room (A portrait of Nellie Wood) 1814" 1134" 3" Assemblage with found objects, 2008 This assemblage was inspired by a photo of my great grandfathers sister. Though she has a strong and determined look on her face, she also looks slightly amused. Im sure that nothing got passed her. Old soda boxes are my favorite boxes to use. I love the colors and the strong graphics.

tip: You can also use thicker pieces of wood to create sections, but you will need a saw, and possibly a miter box, to get the cuts you desire. Epoxy or wood glue can be used to adhere these heavier pieces together as well.
3.

tip: I always wait for the gel to dry (the paper will feel cool while the gel is still wet) before I apply other papers or the top layer(s) of gel medium.
6.

Measure and cut the papers for the interior surfaces of the box, as desired.

Add the 3-D elements. Apply the epoxy glue to the surface of the box and position the pieces, or apply the glue directly to the found object and then put it in place. clothpaperscissors.com
5

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

Three Graces 12" 1034" 4" Assemblage with found objects, 2009 To me this assemblage is a story about immigration. Its about three young women, so beautiful and unique (the woman in the middle is my grandmother), finding their way in an industrial city. So many immigrants became lost in this environment of machinery and hard work, its important to remember their personal stories and character. I used parts of an old meat grinder, rusty nails, and vintage car headlight bulbs to represent the assemblages industrial elements.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
6

To the Good People of Jamaica Plain 1312" 1234" 334" Assemblage with found objects, 2009 Made in homage to my adopted hometown, this work is made with an architectural model figurine and a childs gardening tool. The figurine is standing on part of an old lamp that I almost threw out. I covered the sides of the box with decorative paper to help finish the look.

8.

Melt the wax pellets in a double boiler. Apply the melted wax with an old paintbrush as desired. Usually, I brush it only over the inside edges of the box and onto some of the found objects. Not everyone likes this look, but I think it adds to the vintage appeal of my found objects and assemblages.

Like all great artists, youll just know when your assemblage is complete. In the end, I hope that when you do finish, youll have an assemblage that celebrates the true beauty of your found objects and your story. Joseph Cornell would be proud.
amyhitchcock.com

cautions
The temperature should not exceed 200 when melting wax. Always check the temperature with a thermometer. Work in a well-ventilated area. It is a good idea to have a fan facing away from you and your work area to disperse any fumes.

note: The gluing process sounds so simple, but its really not. This is when the assemblage/story comes alive. As an object is drying in place, I can feel the story emerge. Sometimes I realize that the object isnt going to work in that spot at all, and I quickly remove it before the glue dries.

7.

Consider treating the edges and outside of the box with paints, stains, or decorative papers if you have used an unfinished wooden box. Obviously, this can be done before you create the assemblage, but this step often ties it all together and sometimes cant be determined until the interior of the box is finished.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
7

scapes
n
fun, but they needed a home that would match their lively presence. Sorting through my studio collection, I found tinware, childrens blocks, cigar boxes, and wood scraps, and all of these things became homes to a flock of birds. Birdscapes, if you will.

bird

Adapted from Cloth Paper Scissors March/April 2010

a home for my blackbirds

ot long ago, I started experimenting with papier-mch as a sculpture material. I began creating a series of birds that were simple yet slightly quirky. The birds themselves were

by
Left to right: Bird house 28 7 2" 2 4"; Bird house 29 812" 212"; Bird house 27 9" 212"
1 3

Sue Pelletier

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
8

I have been creating wooden house assemblages for years (see the January/ February 2008 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors: Home is Where the Art is). But after creating these birds, I knew I wanted a different look for their houses, one that was simple and monochromatic.

4.

After the bird shape is dry, coat it with gel medium. Layer strips of torn black tissue paper over the bird body and build up the tail using long, twisted strips of black tissue. Add color to the beak and wings. I tore shapes from vintage books and applied them to the bird with gel medium.

4.

5.

Attach the bird using a cloth staple. Add gel medium under the staple, and then slide the long wire bird legs right through the staple.

6.

birds andhouses
building the bird
1.

childs block with bird

m at e r i a l s
Childs wooden block Tinker toy or other wood shape Small drill Gel medium Bird Wire (14-gauge) Saltshaker top Embellishments of choice

building the house

1.

Sculpt a bird shape from the instant papier-mch. Cut lengths of the 14-gauge wire for the birds legs. I like them long, so I cut lengths about 212" long. Place a dollop of gel medium on the wire and stick the legs into the mch while it is still wet. Allow to dry.

Cut out 2 identical house shapes from the wire mesh. Stuff the house form with white tissue and, using wire, sew up the edges all around. Coat the exterior with papier-mch. I applied 3 coats using newspaper strips and a glue/water mixture. I created my houses this way because I wanted them to feel and look totally different from the wood houses I had been making for quite some time. Allow to dry. Cut a piece of canvas the size of your house and glue it to the front with gel medium. Add papers, fabric scraps, and embellishments to the front and sides of the house.

2.

2.

3.

3.

m at e r i a l s
Instant papier-mch (I used Celluclay.) Tissue paper, black and white Gel medium Mod Podge Wire (14-gauge) Ephemera Canvas for house background Wire mesh (I used WireForm.) Graphite pencil Water-based oil pastels Duct tape Metal stamps for letters India ink Paper towels Cloth staples (I used double-point tacks #5; I found them in the hardware section.) Various embellishments: fabric scraps, pieces of vintage measuring tape, pieces of wood, etc.
3. 2. 5. 4.

Fly High 612" 314"

details
1.

Create a house sign with the duct tape. Using the metal printer stamps, hammer letters into the tape to stamp the words you want. Apply black India ink to the tape and then rub it off with a paper towel. The ink will stay settled in the letters for a nice contrast. Doodle on the roof a bit using a black graphite pencil and water-based oil pastels. clothpaperscissors.com
9

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

1.

Attach your wood shape, or Tinker toy, to the top of the block with gel medium. Drill 2 holes in the wooden piece for the birds legs. Attach the saltshaker top to the wooden piece using gel medium. Stick the birds legs through the holes in the top of the saltshaker and into the holes in the wooden piece. Embellish the piece as desired.

tinware bird
This tinware bird was inspired by pieces I found at a local flea market.

1.

Fill the tin container halfway with air-dry clay to give it some weight. Choose your bird; stick the wire legs through the holes in the shaker top and into the clay. Create some flowers with the Celluclay. Stick each on a length of wire, add a button center, and stick the wire ends through the holes in the shaker top and into the clay. Add embellishments to the outside of the tin.

2.

2.

3.

m at e r i a l s
Small, tin cheese/sugar shaker Air-dry clay Bird Celluclay Button(s) Embellishments of choice to decorate the tin

3.

4.

5.

4.

elephant in the room

This piece was created from a fairly random group of materials I had in my studio. The wooden elephant has been hanging around for years; I could never bear to part with it because I knew one day I would come up with the perfect home for him.

m at e r i a l s
Cigar box Collage papers Mod Podge
Bird Garden 712 412"

Heavy gel medium Small drill or awl Wooden elephant or similar Dominoes Air-dry clay for flowers Bird(s) Duct tape Metal stamps Water-soluble oil pastels Graphite pencil Embellishments

1.

Collage papers onto the cigar box with Mod Podge. Attach the elephant and the wooden dominoes using heavy gel medium. clothpaperscissors.com
10

2.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

3.

Drill holes in the top of the cigar box and elephant to attach the flowers and the bird. Create a sign with the duct tape and metal stamps as before. Apply ink and then rub it off to make the letters pop. Add any final decorative details and embellish mentsasdesired.
The Elephant in the Room 11" 758" I love this piece because it makes me smile. It is all about ignoring The Elephant in the Room.

4.

5.

6.

I am often drawn to include wooden blocks and vintage toys in my work, and I was thrilled to come up with a new way to use some of these treasures from my studio.
suepelletierlaughpaint.com

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
11

A pause in a busy day. A laugh. A simple. Calming. Quiet lurking in a small tin box. When opened, the box bursts with a world of imagination. A journey. A moment. For you to tuck away or give away. To forever cherish.

storybox
directions
the StoryBox cover
1.

s
by

toryBoxes appeal to both the novice and the experienced artist. They challenge you to work

tightly, with the freedom to do as little or as much as you desire. It is your journey of discovery through fabric, images, trims, and objects on the small canvas of a tin box, all held together by a string of words. Warning: this frolicking is addictive.

With sandpaper, scrub your tin box all overinside and outside. This helps the glue adhere better. If there are any stamped dates on the edges, sand them away. Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than the surface area of the top of the box. Repeat for the bottom.

Leilani Pierson

2.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
12

tip: Choose fabric with small prints or muted, bland patterns; large, busy patterns will distract from the chosen image.
3.

and/or the bottom edge, using the tacky glue.

6.

m at e r i a l s
Small tin box (from candy or other) Sandpaper Scissors Fabric scraps Foam brush Golden Gel Medium Fancy yarns, ribbons, lace, cord, wire, and rickrack Small images (I used some from Artchix Studio and Dover Publications.) Small-tip paintbrush Text (I used words from a page of an old book.) Aleenes Tacky Glue Small shipping tags String Rubber stamps with allover patterns Ink pad Embellishments: glass/clay beads, buttons, small found objects

Using a foam brush and gel medium, glue the fabric to the top and bottom of the box, centering the pieces. Let this sit for a minute or so. Use scissors to trim any excess fabric hanging over the edges of the tin box. Attach some fancy coordinating yarn, ribbon, or lace, etc., to the lid edge

4.

Decide which direction your StoryBox will open. Select an image that tugs at you and, with a small-tip paintbrush and gel medium, glue the image (in an appealing position) to the top of the box.

5.

tip: Instead of centering your image, place it in the upper or lower third of the box, where the eye is naturally attracted.

optional
Paper scraps Hammer and nail Wire Color Box Pigment Brush Pad (bronze or copper)

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
13

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
14

7.

For your StoryBox title, choose some words that move you and seem to tie things together. Cut them out.

note: When word-mining, be sure to find individual words or a couple of words together, rather than long phrases that might cross into plagiarism.
8.

the StoryBox as an art-therapy gift

Create a StoryBox with a friend in mind. (Follow the same instructions, but do not glue found words or found objects to the box.) Place blank shipping tags tied with ribbon and some small, loose found objects inside the box and then close it. Tear a page of words from an old book and wrap the page around the StoryBox. Secure with some string. Wrap the box again, with a larger piece of fabric and secure with some ribbon. Handwrite the small poem I wrote below, or your own, onto a shipping tag and attach to ribbon: for pleasure in leisure cut words like birds outside, in pages, tin story find, you unwind. Give with joy!

With the small-tip paintbrush and gel medium, glue the found words for the title to the lid. If desired, cover the edges and the bottom lid with a few more words that hint at the StoryBoxs contents.

the heart of the StoryBox

1.

With a foam brush and gel medium, glue fabric to the inside of the tin box, leaving the edges to wrinkle or ruffle. Take 35 small shipping tags and rubberstamp a few allover patterns onto each tag. Using gel medium, glue found words onto the tags, creating some kind of ordera sentence, a list, or even just one thought.

5.

2.

Lay your pages inside the tin box. With tacky glue, attach a few small found objects inside and outside to enhance your story. Keep the tin box open for a day or so to let it dry completely. Enjoy!

Stain the fabric on the box by rubbing it with Color Box Pigment Brush Pads (bronze or copper). Nail holes into the edge of the box body and attach a wire or ribbon handle. Nail holes into the top lid of the box, after affixing the fabric, and thread wire or ribbon through the holes. Use unusual items for the pages inside: small, flat pebbles; flattened bottle caps; stamps sewn together, etc.

3.

6.

optional techniques

tip: Feel free to make nonsense with your words. Play around with their order, put illogical words together, break grammatical rules. Surprise yourself!
4.

Cover the box with assorted papers or rubber-stamped images on fabric or paper. Create a quilted look with tiny fabric/ paper squares glued to the tin box.

Take a short piece of ribbon and tie the shipping tags together. These are your story pages.

studiogypsy.blogspot.com

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
15

please play

with your

food

Adapted from Cloth Paper Scissors July/August 2007

Fruit of the Loom 712" 612"

by

Jenn Mason

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
16

y art always starts as one really fabulous idea that

makes a metamorphosis into something entirely different. I used to get upset that my project was veering away from the picture I had in my mind, and I would just get frustrated and stop. Right there. Then I embraced the journey and found that my ideas were destined for greater things. So goes the story of my art journey with produce.

The intent was to find a pear I could turn into book covers. My plan was to cut the pear in half, seal or gesso the sides, and make a book. How fun! Of course, like every good project, this required a trip to the store. Then, like every good trip to the store, I couldnt come home with just what was on my list. The eggplant and the figs beckoned me to take them home with the pear. Once home, the pear decided that it was not going to go without a fight. As I cut into its plastic flesh, first with my tiny craft knife, then with my stronger, all-purpose utility knife, I met with resistancea pit, of sorts. I found that you cannot actually cut plastic fruit in half, and so, before abandoning my pear, I decided to figure out its inner workingsin doing that, I unintentionally created a niche. This was the beginning of the new idea. Because I tend to work on multiple projects simultaneously, I turned to my eggplant and created a similar niche. It should be said that in the world of faux produce the inside of an eggplant and the inside of a pear are practically the same. Both are made up of just a bunch of Styrofoam pellets packed together
The Staged Pear 6" 612"

and a hard core that gives the piece weight. To keep the pellets from eroding out of the produce, I needed to do some immediate first aid. Using torn pieces of an old ledger and soft gel medium, I was able to seal in the Styrofoam and create a new stage within my fruit. The pear, which started as a set of book covers, now became a little theatre, complete with shutters and a stage floor. The eggplants fate was to be a shuttered sculpture embellished with words and secrets. Now both pieces needed a home. The pear sought refuge in an altered cigar box and the eggplant was mounted on a narrow copper tube and a pressuretreated fence cap from the hardware store.

The fig played possum in my studio for a while after the completion of the pear and eggplant pieces but was reawakened when I came up with the playful title Fruit of the Loom. An old box, carpet tacks, waxed thread, and pages from a vintage housekeepers book and an old childs reader helped tell the story of a little babe in bloomers and a fictitious relative framed in the fig. The following steps will walk you through some of the ideas I used in creating these altered produce pieces. Consider using old recipes, interesting fruits and vegetables, doll house shutters, and other found objects to tell your story. You might choose to honor a grandmothers recipe for apple pie or

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
17

pay tribute to your Irish ancestors with a potato. Whatever you choose, enjoy getting your five recommended servings of fruits and vegetables, and Ill see you in the produce aisle!

directions
creating the niche
1.

Choose a fruit or vegetable to alter. Make shallow cuts through the plastic flesh with a sharp craft or utility knife. This process is messy and slow but relatively easy. Take your time and work over a trash can. Tear your vintage or decorative papers into small pieces and use soft gel medium to adhere them to the niche. Add fluid acrylics, acrylic paints, or inks at this point, if desired.

2.

m at e r i a l s
Faux produce Craft or utility knife Paintbrush Vintage or decorative paper Soft gel medium Fluid acrylics, acrylics, glazes, inks Awl Nail heads Old books Cigar boxes Die cuts Copper tubing14" diameter, cut to desired length Wood fence cap or wooden plaque Tacky glue

optional
Mat board Glass bottles with spices

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
18

3.

To create a stage platform in a niche, cut a piece of mat board to size and cover it in the same torn paper as the niche. Use the gel medium to secure it into position and let it dry.

Eyelets, nail heads, and other pronged embellishments sink into the flesh nicely. Use an awl to make a larger hole for eyelets if you want to be able to run thread through the holes. Use old poems or quotes, book pages, photos, or even little altered bottles to decorate the inside of the niche.

decorating the produce and niche

Dollhouse shutters can be tucked into the niche for a theatrical-like appearance. If the shutters are too tall, they can be cut in half with a utility knife. To attach the shutters and allow them to move, attach very small hinges. The screws can screw into the wood shutter and be twisted into the flesh of the niche. Reinforce them with gel medium, if necessary.

creating a home for the produce

1.

Consider using half of a cigar box to stage your produce creation. Use die cuts, torn paper, old book pages, old silverware, carpet tacks, twine, and photos along with paints, glazes, stamps, and inks to decorate the box. Hinges and locks can be left on the box and embellished or removed, depending on your desired look. Use a generous amount of gel medium to glue your piece of produce into the box. To make your produce stand (no pun intended), use your craft knife to make a small hole in the bottom of your fruit. Insert the copper tubing into the wooden fence cap or plaque and bend it slightly, if needed, to center the produce. Use tacky craft glue to secure the produce to the copper tubing. Paint the base.

2.

tips
Use soft gel medium, in either gloss or matte, to secure all your papers and embellishments. To attach a utensil to a box, use a metal hole punch to make two holes and attach it with carpet or upholstery tacks. The loom in the Fruit of the Loom piece was made by stringing waxed linen thread back and forth between carpet tacks and then interweaving small strips of a book index and text from a childs reader. Consider adding pen or pencil markings in your cigar box to highlight text or make notations that support the story of the piece.

3.

4.

variation: The fig in Fruit of the Loom was first covered in gesso and then layered with old book pages, glazes, and fluid acrylics.
jmason@interweave.com

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
19

dead mans

party skeletal assemblage

o
or scare us. In fact, there is no better way to combat those fears

Adapted from Cloth Paper Scissors September/October 2010

ne thing is for sure: pink bunnies, yellow daisies, and fuzzy puppies are not my thing. I tend to like things on the shadier

side of the street. As a kid, skeletons and monsters were my cup of Tang; give me a grinning skeleton any day of the week. I think there is nothing wrong with having a little fun with the things that frighten than head-on with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor. I learned this from the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Deada celebration of death, which, as it turns out, is actually a celebration of life.

by

Michael deMeng

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
20

I head south every year to the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, for this magical event; it actually lasts about a week in this area. Different villages celebrate it on different days, but basically it goes from October 31November 2. Most people are familiar with the graveside celebrations and nighttime vigils involving music, candles, flowers, laughter, and tears. But another aspect of this celebration is the presence of the smiling calaveras around every corner. Basically, the Spanish term calavera means skull, but in reference to the Day of the Dead it refers to an often comical portrayal of death. Calaveras are artistic representations of the dead doing everyday things; they are actually making fun of the living. They represent death as the great equalizer. You may have been wealthy, powerful, or clever in life, but none of that matters when youre six feet under . . . or at least thats the idea. Calaveras appear in many forms during this celebration. A favorite at the cemeteries is the calaveras de azcar or sugar skulls. Sugar skulls are beautifully decorated and, yes, edible . .. though, only if you enjoy a sugar cube for a snack. You will often see numerous sugar skulls adorning graves as an offering. Another version of the calavera is the calacas, my personal favorite, which

depicts everyday scenes with skeletons. I have a number of these that I have collected over the years: skeleton dentists drilling a tooth of a skeleton patient; drunken skeletons listening to dead mariachi players. If you can do it when you are living, it seems that you can do it when youre not. Whenever I visit for Dia de los Muertos, I go a little calavera crazy. I have purchased hundreds of skeletal toys over the years. One of the best ways to purchase these creations is table side in the zcalo (square). During my first visit, I must have picked up 30 or more of these little handmade guys, and every year I return my collection increases. Last year I picked up a large skeletal Frida Kahlo on a bicycle, and the year before that I snagged an amazing black pottery creation featuring five skeletal women in traditional garb, gossiping on a park bench. One of the symptoms of calavera craziness is a desire to chase after the sounds of marching bands. The music usually indicates that somewhere nearby there is a wandering comparsa, a carnival-like procession that roams through the streets. In addition to the band, giant puppet people called mojigangas and oodles and oodles of dancing skeletons participate. Some are in masks, others in face paint. The problem is that you cant really plan ahead; different barrios (neighborhoods) or schools organize these comparsas, so you usually run into them by chance. At some point they will end up at the zcalo for a stroll around the square. Its also fun when two different comparsas run into each other on their random path. At this point the tuba players, drummers, and trumpeters go crazy, and the dancing skeletons frantically try to

outdo the rival parade. Who knew that being dead could be so lively?

creating calaca
Whenever I get back from one of these adventures I am still a bit crazed, so I often try to come up with a Day of the Dead art project to address these urgings. One of the more recent projects involves making little calaca scenes. These are simple to create and dont require many materials. Of course you could make your figures out of clay, but Ive found an approach thats slightly more fun (and a bit deMented). Lately Ive been raiding local craft stores for wedding cake toppers, lopping off the heads, and transplanting skeleton heads. Voil, newly deads or just buried.

m at e r i a l s
A plastic couple or figure (I used a wedding cake topper and Hansel and Gretel figures.) Safety goggles Hacksaw or Dremel rotary tool with a cutoff wheel and a drill bit slightly larger than the wire Little skull heads or skeletons Thick-gauge wire (I use rebar wrapping wire from the hardware store.) Wire cutters E6000 glue A block of wood, size is determined by the figures youll be using A piece of balsa wood, the same width as the wood block and about 1" taller than the figurines Light molding paste (I use Golden Artist Colors.) Paints and paintbrushes Ephemera: small flowers, glitter, troll hair, random accessories

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
21

disassemble
There are a couple of ways to start this project, but for me I like to start off with the dastardly deeds first. Wearing protective goggles, use the Dremel tool with the cutoff wheel attachment (or a saw) and remove the heads from the figures (photo a). I suggest saving the heads; you never know when they might come in handy. If you are using a full skeleton you need to perform the same head-removing procedure on it (photo b). If so, save the bodies for a future use.
caution: Make sure you wear goggles. Plastic can melt and splinter shooting bits into the ever-sacred artists eyes.

tip: I stockpile all my skeleton supplies

from the Dollar Store around Halloween. Usually you can get a nice garland of skeletons forthats righta dollar.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
22

reassemble
This process will vary depending on the figures and skulls you have.
1.

Drill a hole in the necks of the decapitated figures (photo c) to run a wire down into the body. Do the same to the bottom of the skull (photo d). Slide some wire into the neck and cut the wire so that when you place the head on the end of the wire it will slide down fully, flush with the body (photo e). Position the heads where you want them and use a little E6000 to secure them in place (photos f and g). Glue the balsa wood to the back of the block of wood vertically (photo h). The long end should go up, creating a narrow stage for the calaveras. Apply a thin layer of light molding paste over the figures and the base to create texturea bit of crustiness . . . a little extra decayand allow to dry (photo i). h

2.

3.

4.

5.

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
23

6.

Go to town and use whatever colors you want to paint the stage and figures. Attach the figures to the base. A little glue on the feet should do it. Let dry. Embellish your figures and the stage. Add tiny flowers, troll hair, random accessories, as desired. If youre a glitter person, add some glitter. Dont be shy.

7.

8.

A dead mans partyall dressed up and nowhere to go . . .

wix.com/demeng/michael-demeng

Step-out photos by Michael deMeng

Tips on Found Object Art: 4 Free Assemblage Art Ideas presented by

Interweave Press LLC

clothpaperscissors.com
24