Black and white show-Gaylord

Tea to soothe the Mind. One of three entries in the black, white and a little red show to be held in Gaylord. 24"x36" collage on canvas , stamping , stenciling, and drawing. Soothing colors and show ready. $525.

Chaos Exhibition at Giles Gallery

"Caging Chaos" has been accepted at the Giles Gallery of Eastern Kentucky University. The exhibit is called: Order and Chaos. Show runs 1/23- 2/22/17. 1/26/17 is the reception from 5-7. 

If you happen to be on this area, take a peak. A quick note about the number of artists who have been included in the show. There were 428 entries from which 73 pieces were chosen. They will be showing the work of 58 artists from 26 states, from Maine to California. 

New art

Here's what I'm working on. Inspired by Jane Davie's "Stripes". Needs some refinement and some color changes. Who knows what the end will like like. Oh boy!!!!

Assemblage Show- Crooked Tree , Petoskey

So thrilled to be part of the upcoming assemblage show at Crooked Tree, Petoskey. Mark your calendar for the Jan. 19 reception. Oh boy, I can't wait. 

Assemblage class

Ladies had a great time in my Assemblage class. We finished our Altoid tin and worked on our small jewelry box, but we didn't get to the cigar box. This class was about problem solving, what kind of paper, what kind of trinkets, what kind of frame?  The process took longer than time allowed. But, with their knowledge and experience, I'm sure the ladies could finish their cigar box. Or maybe that will be saved for another class. The final products were awesome.  It was a risk taking group. It was time well spent. Thanks, class. I really enjoyed sharing with you. 

"Arranged Marriage". Box assemblage

Another box finished. A three section box that closes. A good amount of found junk. The most interesting find was the black plastic grilling from the back of a picture frame. "Good junk "includes pieces from Scrabble, small picture frames, old metal and rust, marbles, an owl page marker, a doll hand, dominos, a toy spoon, and some old photos. Whew!!  That was a mouthful. I used a goodly amount of my stash. Oh boy, it will give me a chance to find more. Enjoy!!!

Collage Class at Leelanau Studios

Love at First Sight

Another box completed. This is a clock that was torn apart and refurbished.  A man with rusty washer over one eye. Photo on a View Master film. Covered with a glass dome. The red things that surround, I have no idea. Inside, magazine eye, covered with a plastic dome, red plastic from a sock holder, and E's, some sort of computer measurer. On the other side, girl in a box covered with picture frame. A small wrench, some dice, and a glass pebble over her face. The scrabble letters spell amour. Whew!  That was fun. What do you think?

New box

This box came together because of the poor dolly without a head that I found at a thrift store. The body was what I needed. So, bird's nest with eggs and wrapped with netting. Clock parts on chest.  Background vintage paper and domino game pieces. Small letters spelling out "Walk in Beauty". And a key on the side. Add one of the arms on top and a dish for a bottom stand. Viola!  Embracing a hatched idea. 

Assemblage Class Sept. 29

Small jewelry box assemblage

Assemblage with Found Objects   Sept. 29 bethbynum@aol.com  

10-3 pm      Gaylord Area Council for the Arts, Gaylord

$55 for non-members, $50 for members

Class limit 12 minimum      For class to go- 5

Combine vintage photos, trinkets, and bits and bobs with glue to make a 3-D box assemblage.  Create a family heirloom.  In this class you will make three assemblage pieces using an Altoid tin, a sm. cardboard  jewelry box, and a cigar box or other wooden box.  Try out a new genre.  Use up your “good junk”.  

I will furnish:

Glue E-6000                      Assorted acrylic paints

Matte medium                 Brushes                  screw drivers

Vintage paper          balsam wood                paper cutter

Sm. picture frames with glass      Hair dryer

You will need:

*Altoid tin                     

 *Sm. jewelry box with lid         

*Cigar box or other wooden box            *Glue E-6000

*ruler      *Paper cutter       * scissors   *assorted acrylic paints

*Keepsakes- trinkets, buttons, old jewelry, beads, ribbon, lace

*Paper- photos, maps, newspaper, vintage stamps, movie tickets, scrapbook paper, children’s art

*Other stuff- marbles, small toys, doll parts, ruler, cloth tape measure, use your imagination

****If you plan to use family photos and other personal papers, please make copies (quick print) in advance and bring them to class

Wear work clothes and bring a lunch (depends on location).

Altoid tin assemblage

Gazing Box

I completed another box using found materials. This box has a scrapbook paper background. The small box held candles in a plastic holder.  Perfect for repeated patterns. Box is covered with paper from a vintage children's book. Add in rusty keys, bobbins, black letter magnets, and a rusty letter hanging on a paintbrush. I added a game piece on tap of a wooden candle holder and yellow blocks on the bottom. The back is finished with vintage paper. Off it goes to a juried show. 

"Dolly wth a Hat" dolly in a gold frame in a cigar box with a gold frame. The dolly has been in my keeping for a long time. The story has it being found in the dirt by the corn crib at my grandparent's farm. No one knows the history of the doll. But it was perfect for this box   Who knows where it will find a home. 

Crooked Tree Juried Show

So happy to announce that my entries have been accepted in the Crooked Tree Fine Arts Show. I'm extremely pleased since I have not seen an assemblage box in this show. And, my tissue paper and vintage scrapbook paper in '"Winter Shoreline" is a bit unique since it's  collage on canvas. At any rate, I'm proud to be a part of this show. See Beth smiling. 

"Hinged Nest" assemblage footed box

"Winter Shoreline". Collage on canvas

Assemblage Bug

I really have it bad. I found this clock and totally demolished it getting it ready to be something new. I found a few new pieces at the dumpsters. I've looked through my collection, but nothing has really taken hold. Well, I'm going to Canada so maybe I'll have some objects fall from the sky. Lots of parking lots, sidewalks, and gas stations. Surely, I will have enough good junk to create an awesome assemblage. 

Small box assemblage tutorial

Find a small box with lid. Can be jewelry box  or other sturdy box.   This box is deep and will work well for holding treasures

Next, cut paper to fit the back of the box. Using matte medium, glue on the paper getting rid of any air bubbles. In this case, black paper may not have been the best choice since it tends to fade when  matte medium  is put on it. 

Measure the inside of the box and cut paper with paper cutter to get smooth edges. 

Cover the inside of the box removing air bubbles. 

Continue covering the box inside and out. Set aside to dry. May have to cover with waxed paper and put weights on it to have it dry smoothly. 

While the box is drying, work on the cover. Find a piece of glass from a small picture frame. The glass needs to fit on the inside of the cover. Measure a smaller opening than the size of the glass. Using an exacto  knife, cut a hole in the cover. Warning- be careful.  Cover the front of the box cover with parts on the inside.  You may have to recover to make a clean opening. I Used washi tape to go around the lid edges.  Glue glass inside cover using E-2000. You need to be careful that the glue doesn't get on the window. It is difficult to get it off. Sometimes I use baby wipes to clean the glass. 

Now is the fun part, finding objects to put in your box. It is important to pick items to scale. I dug through my toy collection and came up with the sheriff badge. I glued a cardboard circle on the back to make the badge stick out. After arranging the cowgirl boots and the toy horse on a block , I glued all of the pieces down. Let dry. 

Finally, put on the lid. Viola, an assemblage box. I put a metal round hook on the back for hanging. 

Assemblage- example using an Altoid Tin

Small assemblage box made from an Altoid tin. 

COMING SOON. ASSEMBLAGE CLASS

I have been working on a class description for my upcoming assemblage class. 

Here are some assemblage boxes I have created. 

You will see most of these boxes at the Art Mixer at the G T Distillery in downtown Traverse City. The Art Mixer is Fri. , Aug. ,12. Watch for my class announcement. 

East Jordan Invitational

Work at the Jordan River Art Center. Drop by and see the work of area artists. 

Memories of Falling Leaves and Memories of a Friend are my contribution. 

Art @ Robby's Taqueria TC Mexicana

I am excited to be showing my work at Robby's Taqueria TC Mexicana on E. Front St. In Traverse City. Authentic Mexican food, a full bar, a helpful staff, and delightful Robby. My work will be on display until the first of Aug. Stop by, have some great food, check out the art. Tell them Beth sent you!!!

Collage @Congregational Assembly

I had the pleasure of working with students at the Congregational Assbly today. Students made two 5" x 7" collages using directed techniques. The ladies were great risk takers and tried the options I gave them. If being messy is a sign of ctreativity, well then, we must be VERY  creative because we made a big mess!  Thanks, ladies. It was fun. 😱

Homage to Joseph Cornell

I am really having fun making Cornell type boxes. I have been to every thrift shop. I have bought up all of the cigar boxes  and wooden boxes that I could find. 

A New Box

So much fun making this box. A trip to the thrift shop gave me some new materials to work with. Objects just fall from the sky and are perfect for this box.  

Assemblage

I'm working on a class on assemblage. Here are some of the boxes I have created in the last few days. The class will be offered this fall. 

Honorable mention for "Spring Thaw"

Happy, happy me!!!! "Spring Thaw" received an Honorable Mention at the reception on Mackinac Island.  Seventy entries in this juried competition. Twenty pieces accepted with 14 artists in the show. I was very honored to be a part of this. My friend, Kristy also received an honorable mention. Check out the show at the Manoogian Gallwey in the Indian School on Mackinac Island. 

COllage on Canvas at Oliver Center

Yes!  Show off those canvas creations. Each one unique. These ladies were a joy to work with. Another exceptional art adventure. 

Collage on Canvas Higgins Lake

Winding down. 

A little messy while creating. 

Showing off the final product. Add a black frame and hang it up. 

Black and White show at the GT Distillery

Last night was the Mixer at the GT Distillery for our new Black and White show. The show will continue through June. Take a look if you are downtown Traverse City. 

Crow Girl 1966

Crow Girl 1966 receives an Honorable Mention at the 1966 Remix Juried show sponsored by Crooked Tree Artcenter in Traverse City. Wahoot!!!!