Nature Triptych

I have been working on a nature triptych for several weeks now.  I have finished all three.  These were inspired by Carol Sloan from an article in pages magazine.  I followed some of her techniques, but wandered off on my own path too.  These were a lot of fun to make and I want to continue the series.

They started out as three pieces of duck cloth with raggedy edges. I started out by putting a layer of gesso on the front and back of the canvas followed by a layer of plaster on one side.  While the plaster was still wet I pressed in joint tape, threads, and the imprints of leaves, lace, string, and many other things.  I wanted to have highly textured backgrounds to work on.  

Next I went through my stash of mono-prints and other bits and pieces to pick out elements that I wanted to use for collage.  I used bits of fabric and deli paper that I had mono-printed.  I also used a leaf and feathers that I have collected and pieces of torn cardboard. I arranged them onto the surface and took photos so that I would remember the placement later.

I took off the collage bits and added a glaze of paint to each one. I used browns and rusty oranges for my glazes.  I love Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold and often use this rusty orangey brown.  After that layer was dry I added modeling paste to some areas and imprinted my self-carved nature stamps into it.  I let that dry and added a glaze of the Nickle Azo Gold over the entire piece and let it dry.  Then I glued down the collage pieces.  

Next I used bits and pieces of poetry and collaged them down. I also added eyelets to the top and put ribbons through so that I could hang these from sticks. The final touch was to apply some metallic Shiva paint sticks paint to select areas and rub them in. This gives some shimmer and helps to highlight the textures.  

The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise... By Rumi

...though the live-oak glistens there... solitary in a wide flat space, Uttering joyous leaves all its life without a friend... By Walt Whitman

For I'd rather be thy child And pupil, in the forest wild, Than be the king of men elsewhere... By Henry David Thoreau

Here are all three together.  

I plan to create more pieces like these this fall.  It will be the perfect time to get beautiful leaves for collage.  I like to pick up leaves in the fall and press and dry them.  I hope you enjoy these. Have a great week,
Janelle