RECYCLED PAINTING WITHOUT GESSO!

I'm all excited about collaging again. I found an old book (1960's) by Gerald Brommer in a used book store. It had mostly black and white photos but lots of exciting techniques and ideas for watercolor. The book was written by a High School art teacher, for art teachers. The best bit of information in the book was a long, clear description by Alexander Nepote, on his torn paper collage technique. I thought this information had gone to his grave with him. If you have ever seen a Nepote painting in person, it is a wonder to behold. I started pulling out the two other books I have on collage by Brommer and reread them. I was getting all fired up to make a collage of my own.

I decided to collage over an old painting that was never going to find a happy home. It was on 300 lb watercolor paper which is ideal for collage. There is something cathartic about tearing and glueing and getting rid of ugly. I love the mysterious color left peaking through. I ruined the first drawing of the four heads trying to bring it to life. I wanted to draw them again but needed an interesting background. This newly collaged piece was what I planned as the background. The idea for the patterned circle shapes where the heads would be came to me while I was in a dream state. I kept layering and playing with the abstract until I was fairly satisfied. Then I drew the 4 heads with my wooden drawing tool fitted with a dark blue permanent pen. I tried to go slowly and deliberately but it still comes out funky. Originally, this was supposed to be the finished piece, but I decided it needed some color. The whole things was glued down with diluted Elmer's white glue. This makes it possible to paint with watercolors on top. My husband thinks it still looks unfinished. I smile. We stay married because he doesn't take my legal advice and I don't take his art critiques seriously.