New Beginnings Assemblage and Painting Update

ASSEMBLAGE UPDATE

What a joy it is to be working on my assemblages again after an extended break and yes i am talking about a 6 year break with not really doing anything (Occasionally i would pull them out and leave them sit on my work bench for a few weeks and stare at them blankly hoping they would just tell me what they needed, but alas they didn't).  I really don't know what got me inspired and excited but it just happened one day, i took out my favourite piece (See side image) and looked at it and thought what does it need and i grabbed out my pandoras box of found objects, antiques nick nacks and all of a sudden the hot glue gun was in my hand and i was watching myself gluing bits on and solving little puzzles of how things were fitting together and the story they were telling, it just came together out of nowhere.  So from that day a month ago i am back into it full swing. I remember listening to a TED talk, you the know the famous talk that Elizebeth Gilbet gives about Creative Spirit and that all you can do 'Is just show up and do your part' and be ready for when "Spirit" hits you. WELL, i really was showing up to do my part and it happened, and since then all of my assemblages are strewn about my work bench and progress is happening on them all, and i even started a new piece which i will discuss further down in the blog. But first let me talk about Tealight Candle Metal Roses.
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Above ( Angel Box Assemblage )

Tealight Candle Metal Roses 

 Above (3 Sardine Can Assemblage Shrines)

Above (Wild Roses growing on the frame of this Sardine Can Shrine)

I don't know what inspired me to make Tealight candle roses, at the time i was living in Norway and my art studio was in the basement and i was always burning tealight candles because i like the slight flickering the light they gave off, it was welcoming and reassuring especially when it was pouring snow outside and long dark nights. So after a while i began to collect the used metal cases (being an artist it is an excuse to hoard anything because you think you can use it for something). I did start adding them into artworks and i wish i had an example but the pictures are on some hard drive in the cupboard somewhere. But anyway from there my creative mind was just playing around with the idea and all of a sudden i had made my first metal rose. From then on i knew i was onto something!
I love the idea that they are handmade, each one takes time to craft and shape AND no two are ever the same. Also i am recycling and repurposing the metal and breathing new life into it which always excites me.

Above (Tealight Candle metal rose) 

Above ( Sardine Can Assemblage Shrine)

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Above is a video tutorial on how to make these Metal Roses using just Tealight candle Metal cases. 
And on the right is a step by step Visual story board of how to make them as well.  IF you decide to give them a go i would love to see your finished metal roses. So drop me an email garyreef@gmail.com

PAINTING UPDATE 

So this is my latest painting that i am working on using my Rhino Stencil design. 

As with all of my paintings they begin intuitively. I have found lately that i begin by using masking tape and applying it randomly over the surface, then i spray the areas which aren't covered by the masking tape with spray paint. Once dry i then remove the tape to leave a random painted design. From there i get a sense of the energy from the movement of these shapes. That is when i decide how to apply the acrylic paint, which i usually like to do using my hands. I like the balance between using the masking tape which creates hard edge shapes then applying paint with my hands to add the balance of free flowing element. 

So that is it for this blog post. I hope it has inspired you to get out your Assemblages or paint brush and just have a play. I often hear people say i don't feel inspired to paint or create, i need motivation. That is an excuse i have found, because it is when you DO the work and just start, you will be surprised what happens.