Looking to use an image of my artwork in your next book, game, album, magazine cover, advertisement, film or merchandise, then you’ll need to request a image license.
Recently, a very kind lady donated her mothers doilies to me, for my next textile, art project. Though I have found it hard, rusting and burying this lot, I was re-assured that her mother would be happy to know they were given to someone who would give them a new life.
I’ts been perfect weather lately for rusting and burying.
After a good soak with white vinegar I wrap some with wire.
Mostly, I just lay the the cloth under a slabs of metal sheets, left over from my studio build then stack on top of one another.
I like to get them all dirty by burying them and stacking a heaver tray and rocks on top. I leave them there from 24 hrs. or, many months until I get the look I’m after.
4 weeks underground. Final unveiling just before dunking in a sink of water and bicarb soda, to stop rusting process.
This piece really excites me with the intense rust and black marks.
Such gorgeous delicate lace work crochet in this doily.
Rust n dirt with tiny black marks and colourful hand embroidery.
Rust with the contrast of beautiful hand embroidery peeking through.
A lovely bundle of vintage rust material ready to go for new projects.
Balance, colour, repetition, scale and transparency is what I took away from that exhibition.
Copyright Jenny Davis
As a child, I too, would build little towers of objects in my bedroom.
Still today I play and stack with my vast collection of vintage objects.
The towers have been getting higher and higher over time and eventually, I aim to make huge, tall one’s, up to the roof or even higher.
Now back to the painting…I’m not sure if I’ve resolved it yet, as something about it is still annoying me. Maybe that’s a good thing?… as sometimes things that are a bit odd are more successful.
3 New mixed- media collages on 300gsm watercolour paper (Unframed).
I like to create new visions, by recycling and dissecting vintage papers that I may, or not hand paint with acrylic paints and inks.
Process – On a background of strong 350gsm artist water- colour paper, I add layers of acrylic paints, fragments of vintage papers and random marks, using French ink pens.
Update 2018! Since writing this recipe in 2014, Ive been using this homemade Gesso recipe, for 14 years now and haven’t had an issue, with ageing, layers coming apart, seepage, changes in colour etc. on any of my artworks. I use it with both oil and acrylic paints. I also seal my papers with it when, making books, sewing on paper, paper for collage, painting with paint, inks etc. As to the quality, I find the homemade isn’t as white, but just as good quality, as professional artists Gesso. I also use store bought gesso too, if I’ve run out and for convenience. My version is more gritty, than store bought, but if you sandpaper in between coats, I find it’s not an issue. For me, this recipe is just as good as, the store bought and if you use archival PVA/Elmers glue, it will make it all the more stable, for longevity.
I love Gesso paint and use heaps of it in my work. It’s gritty, chalky and can be applied to artwork to give a translucent or opaque look. It’s also very expensive so I decided to make my own.
Gesso is used for many things such as a primer for canvas or on paper to give a good base for painting, drawing or mixed media work. When making collage I use it as a gluing medium to stick on papers, in-between, painting and drawing layers.
The recipe below makes 2 litres of Gesso paint
( If not using straight away, this Gesso will last approx. 4-6 weeks)
Homemade Gesso
PLASTER MIX
1 cup Plaster of Paris or fine white plaster powder
1 cup of PVA or white glue (archival if available)
1 cup hot water
PAINT
3 cups white acrylic paint
UTENSILS
Container, cup and mixing stick or spoon
RATIO: 1-3
Plaster Mix 1 – Acrylic paint 3
Method
To make the plaster mix. Add the plaster to the hot water and stir ( Safety purposes: always add the plaster powder to the liquid, not liquid to plaster, as it will blow up into your face and always wear a dust mask)
Dust Mask
“Plaster of Paris” and cup
Hot water and mix
Next add the PVA or white glue, stir.
Finally add the white acrylic paint and mix. ( I used some acrylic powder paint I had and made it up with water) You can use any kind of acrylic paint or colour .
Result
I was very happy with the result. The gesso is translucent with the gritty bits I like. You can also do several layers of gesso to give a more opaque appearance. It covered my canvas very well with only 1 coat. When adding more than 1 coat you can sand in- between to give a really smooth surface for detailed work .
I’m not sure how I feel about showing artworks with mock -up backgrounds. So, recently I purchased a few mock – ups, and have been playing around with them. I’d like to display my artworks a little bit differently, being, there are, so many other artists online. I’m just wondering, if putting artworks with interesting backgrounds, makes any difference, for viewers, collectors etc. and, in getting it found in the search engines easier. I think they look cleaner, but at the same time, I don’t want to categorize my artwork as being, just “interior design” pieces. I’d love to hear what others think…
If you feel inclined, your welcome to add a comment at the bottom of this post.
Do you like to see artworks viewed in a room, or framed ? or do you prefer see artworks on their own, with no backgrounds?
You can also view some of my artworks in rooms in my gallery area
New paintings available in my gallery. “Rustmatter” series. I want to capture the “beauty & hope” in decline, before its gone and continues my investigation into the disintegration and decay of the environment, of life and the human psyche.
Experiments with layers of rust, paint, iron shavings and salt. Finally, surfaces emerged, worn , weathered and sometimes ancient. I then sealed the paintings to keep stable and lock in the layers.
Each painting is a visual and textural descent into the abandoned, the derelict, the vacant and the forgotten. Curator & Arts Writer,Dr. Ewen Jarvis.
I grew up in a “make do and mend” family, where nothing much was thrown away and would be mended or, re-purposed into something else, therefore, many of my textile pieces are hand- made, created from antique & vintage sourced materials and may include, discarded, abandoned, found objects. I have been working with textiles all my life. My mother was a dressmaker and as a child, I would collect the fabric scraps and make wall hangings and soft sculpture.
For further details about my textile pieces, please go to my gallery page and click under “Textile Art”
“TurkRedghost” series
Sometimes the antique textiles I work with, seem to yell at me, but mostly, they lay silent, as I make my own marks alongside, others gone before. Ragged bits, old and new stitching, tracing marks left behind on old textiles are a reminder, of a time when women, had many obligations and few choices. I feel comfortable, as I stitch, tear, dye and reinforce the fragmented pieces. Somehow, I hope, in a small way, by reclaiming and reworking the textiles, I can give a voice to those women.
The countdown is on… only 14 days until I install my exhibition, “Spaces Below” at Yering Station Gallery, which means, 14 days of bubble-wrap and gaffa tape tangles, labeling, organizing transport, invites, and the opening.
The artworks in the house are all ready to go and still lots more in the studio to wrap, but for now, I think its time to grab some lunch and veg out for awhile….
Abstract art strips away the narrative, the real and expected visual story. It requires us to resolve a problem. We want to impose a rational explanation – or see something in abstract art so we feel comfortable. It makes our brains work harder and in a different way – at a subconscious level.
Maybe that’s why some people find abstract art more intimidating and are quick to dismiss it.
If you are interested in learning more about abstract art and how to create abstract paintings, I am in the process of creating my first online course. “Pure Abstract Painting”
This is something I have been wanting to do for many years and will let you know when my course is ready for enrollment.
A few abstract paintings I’ve been working on today. I love the continual changes when working this way.
A small glimpse of paintings in progress for my next exhibition, in April at Yering Station Gallery. I will be showing, new and older paintings and will include an installation of framed photographs, “Spaces Below”, shot in France. The gallery is large and raw with an industrial feel. A perfect space for larger abstracts. All commissions taken from my sold artworks at Yering Station Gallery will be donated to…
Ever wish you could buy that original piece of art but it was just too expensive and out of reach? I know I have.
Have you ever considered prints of your favourite originals?
Even if you can’t afford an original piece of art, purchasing prints can be more affordable and if the original artwork is sold, there may be prints available. It not only brings art into your home but, it also supports the artist community too.
I have recently been setting up my online print shop, where you can now purchase prints of my original artworks.
Please see my Gallery page or, click the headings below. There you can browse my selection of framed prints, canvas prints, art prints, acrylic block prints and metal prints.
ABOUT MY PRINTS
The source, for all my art prints, are created in my studio by hand, in (Australia) using my original artworks and photographs. Hand drawing, painting, photography and making collage, is all part of the creative process. Then, the prints are ethically produced by my digital printing partners in Melbourne, Australia, USA and London,England. My prints come in many sizes and prices, to suit your budget. All prints are created from the best, fine artist grade, papers, canvas and materials. Each print is clear and vibrant using specialists inks that will last. Your purchase is wrapped carefully then, packaged in sturdy custom- made boxes, so they make it safely to your door. Please see … Worldwide Delivery plus 100% Returns and Exchanges
I am still in the process of creating my online print shop and will gradually add more prints over time. Enjoy your browse!
Custom-made box or flat frame styles. High-quality timber frame finishes to suit your decor. Premium Perspex – clearer and lighter than glass. Exhibition quality box or flat frame styles.
Each custom artwork is hand stretched and printed for your order. Vibrant colors printed on artist grade canvas. Printed image wraps 0.25 inch (0.6 cm) over the edges; the sides are white. Hanging hardware is included.
Custom sized prints (with various border widths). Gallery quality vibrant colours.
Lightly textured 100% cotton paper.
Refer to size chart for dimensions if self framing.
Vibrant back mounted photographic prints 1″ (2.5 cm) thick. Solid free-standing acrylic block for desk, table top or shelves. Diamond cut sides provide a sharp image from any angle. Hand polished for a crystal clear finish.
Everybody who knows me, knows, how much, I love metal, rust and decay. Many years ago, I collected old rusty, metal objects from the roadsides and turned them into sculptures. I also gained my certificates in welding. At the time, with myself and 3 children to support, I welded in factories to make a living and in between, I made sculptures from the rusty found objects. I don’t weld much anymore, as it’s a problem for me to move around the heavy metal, but I still have a large collection of smaller bits, I use, to rust up, paper, objects and textiles for my projects. Lately, I have been playing around with some commercial rust paints.
Today, I tried out, Botanic’s rust paint, from L’essential in Australia. I love the fact they are all environmentally-conscious products, free from nasty additives and are preservative-free where possible. They smell good too. I’m very pleased with the result and it does, really look like rust.
I love Gesso paint and use heaps of it in my work. It’s gritty, chalky and can be applied to artwork to give a translucent or opaque look. It’s also very expensive so I decided to make my own.
Gesso is used for many things such as a primer for canvas or on paper to give a good base for painting, drawing or mixed media work. When making collage I use it as a gluing medium to stick on papers, in-between, painting and drawing layers.
The recipe below makes 2 litres of Gesso paint
( If not using straight away, this Gesso will last approx. 4-6 weeks)
Homemade Gesso
PLASTER MIX
1 cup Plaster of Paris or fine white plaster powder
1 cup of PVA or white glue
1 cup hot water
PAINT
3 cups white acrylic paint
UTENSILS
Container, cup and mixing stick or spoon
RATIO: 1-3
Plaster Mix 1 – Acrylic paint 3
Method
To make the plaster mix. Add the plaster to the hot water and stir ( Safety purposes: always add the plaster powder to the liquid, not liquid to plaster, as it will blow up into your face and always wear a dust mask)
Dust Mask
“Plaster of Paris” and cup
Hot water and mix
Next add the PVA or white glue, stir.
Finally add the white acrylic paint and mix. ( I used some acrylic powder paint I had and made it up with water) You can use any kind of acrylic paint or colour .
Result
I was very happy with the result. The gesso is translucent with the gritty bits I like. You can also do several layers of gesso to give a more opaque appearance. It covered my canvas very well with only 1 coat. When adding more than 1 coat you can sand in- between to give a really smooth surface for detailed work .
2 litres of Gesso
Gesso on stretched canvas
Gesso on paper
To see this and more of my free tutorials, please go to Tutorials I even show you how to make my large studio easel.
One of my life- time interests is collecting vintage, antique and found objects. I believe, through objects, stories can be told, and through imagination, new ones found.
Objects and their stories, often inspire my art making too. I deconstruct items for sculpture. Old clothing and antique quilts, are often used in textile pieces, artist books and collage. Aged surfaces and patinas of collections, make their way into my abstract paintings, too.
Lately, I have been asking myself a few questions about, collecting and identity. Especially after the passing of my step father a few years ago, when I had the huge task, of cleaning out his house and shed. Overwhelming at times, the hoard, has found it’s way into my life & studio
Having only known him for a short time, (5yrs) I’ve discovered, through his belongings and objects, a hidden or, new identity.
Strangely , I now find myself imagining, a new “make believe identity” through the objects he hoarded
This has lead me to many questions…
When alive, do we really know a person? and can things and objects help us to see, a new, or different identity?
Through objects and belongings, can we feel connected to that person?
Can objects change, how we see others & ourselves?
A few years ago, I changed from oil paints, to acrylics, after I became allergic to the turps. I’m still not used to painting with acrylics as, I just love the lushness, depth and movement of oil paints. Something, I haven’t been able to achieve with acrylics. So, recently I bought some oil painting supplies, eco friendly turps, to see, if I’m still allergic to it.
The life of a Painting.
Oil paint , medium, wax on canvas
Sometimes I think, I should stop earlier, when its fresh and spontaneous, but usually keep going. I just have to trust the process and know, that eventually, I will end up with something I’m happy with.
I will revisit the painting, in a few days time to decide, whether I will take it further. At the moment, I’m feeling, times long past.
Connections and contrasts of imperfections, found in the urban environment, highlighting, insignificant marks, weathered surfaces and cast – offs. I am influenced by abandoned and derelict spaces, vacant industrial sites, structures, old walls & graffiti.One of a kind, handmade ( Limited Edition) artist books from Australian contemporary artist Jenny Davis
Each book consists of:
1 Vintage cigar tin lined with eco- dyed crochet scrap in Shibori- dyed indigo blue, or rust.
1 Handmade concertina artist book, collage with rust – dyed papers and slow stitched with Japanese Shibori threads.
A vintage button with an 1800’s, rusted suspender buckle, winds around the book to close. Some buckles have “Paris” engraved.
1 Scrap piece of rust – dyed canvas cloth, frayed, embellished with slow stitching.
1 Handmade collage created from aged, rust paper, antique suspender buckle and slow stitching.
2 photographs in an acrylic pouch, taken beneath the City of Paris, France.
1 rusted fence loop found in the outback Australia.
(Each artist book is original, handmade and differs from the other. They are all created from the same materials though, making each one, a collectable piece of art)
For the past decade or so, I have worked with an amazing group of women artists at the old schoolhouse in Badger Crk. Victoria. We meet up weekly to paint, throw around ideas, experiment and play with new, unusual, materials and techniques. This time is invaluable to me, as it, gives me a break from the usual, business side of making art and gets me out of the studio. We chat about our work, share ideas and discuss what’s happening in the world and our lives. Mostly, it’s just a whole lot of fun, mucking around with good friends who happen to love making art.
Lately at the schoolhouse I have been working on some mixed media pieces with paint paper, cloth and thread.
I use thread and needle to make marks through the artwork.
Each stitch leads onto the next, weaving over the painting.
Found papers intermingle with rotted and rusted cloth.
I like to use off- cuts of textile, paper and patterns and throw it against slabs of paint and marks.
In the above artwork I am enjoying the contrast of the piece of vintage cross stitch, I found in an op shop once.
The stitches wander around and find their own place in their own time. I’m not in control and use the thread, as another tool to make marks.
I don want to make embroidery’s and my mistakes can be my jewels.
All these artworks are in progress and not yet finished. Some may just be experiments for fun and to learn from.
