Are you ready to take the second floor this time? If you have no clue what I am talking about- read all about it here 
The Second Floor Challenge
So today is our 5th Second Floor Challenge: Found Object
Click here to see what Julie did
Whatever that means to you or however it inspires you. The prompt is simply meant to get you started. The level of challenge you aim for is entirely internal and up to you.
Found Objects….Love them. What does this mean in the Art World?
Let me just quote Wikipedia: “A found object, in an artistic sense, indicates the use of an object which has not been designed for an artistic purpose, but which exists for another purpose already. Found objects may exist either as utilitarian, manufactured items, or things which occur in nature. In both cases the objects are discovered by the artist or musician to be capable of being employed in an artistic way, and are designated as “found” to distinguish them from purposely created items used in the art forms.”
But an found object could also just be something that you found!
My problem with found objects is, that I want to incorporate them in my work- but then I can’t get over me to use them. Because most of those objects are one of a kind findings at a flea market, a junk yard or something I have this “perfect moment” feeling. This leads to piles of stuff of objects that are desperately whispering “take me, take me!” yet….I am just ignoring it ;)
So the first floor was ….picking up stuff that I had in my pile of “found objects” to use. I didn’t make a huge effort – I simply picked the first three items I found on the pile.
Lightbulbs – mini lightbulbs, which i had found last in Australia at a junk yard, a little cross stitching hoop – I have no clue where this came from , and a vintage yarn spool which I found at a flea market in the States and says Kismet on the spool ends- FATE :)
I transfered some beautiful Prima Ledger Paper to a canvas fabric and then added the found objects on top of it, pit a frame on top and and knew I would love to give this my friend Katja who is a costume director and made me my favorite clothings in my wardrobe :) (If you are ever in Hamburg for longer and are looking for awesome tailored clothes – let me know !)
But what I didn’t know for two days before I glued it down, was…what else and which paint media I should add. It was taunting me. Every time I passed the project walking by…I thought…”I like it- but mmmmhh what am I going to add to it?”. I took everything apart, arranged everything differently and yet…in the end I would end up with exactly the same design as before. And walk out of the studio, sighing again…
And then…I slapped my hand against my forehead hard today…still have some fingermarks…”Mc Fly…you like it as it is, so just glue all down and leave it” . It is OK to not use paint media (pssstttt….I used gel medium but don’t tell anyone ;) )
What I learned from this challenge:
- It is ok to use stuff from the pile of found objects…it is not even noticeable that something is missing.
- The frame hiding underneath a stretched canvas is a beautiful thing.
- It doesn’t kill me to not use paint on a project.
- Less is sometimes more
- Projects like this are extremely hard to photograph– it looks so much better in real life …sigh
- I am cheating and even lie in my blog post since I actually not used the first 3 things I found in the pile…my hand magically wandered over the Dresden dolls…because seriously they need to be on a really really cool project, I haven’t even dreamed of yet ;)
If you’d like to leave a link showing off what you did in response to this challenge, here’s the linky list:
add your own creations inspired by our 2nd Floor Challenge: Found Object
have a wonderful day
hugs
Nat
Comments (12)
marjiekemper
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That’s so flipping cool… love how your mind works to come up with the bulbs around the sewing gizmo (forget the name of that thing but I had one as a little girl when my grandmother taught me how to cross-stitch).
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Melisa
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Wonderful collage! So smart of you to realize it didn’t need anything else. I just found this challenge. I wonder if I have time to make something? I pick up lots of found objects to use in my art but have trouble using anything I feel is special or I can’t get more of. I just tend to hoard.
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Martha Richardson
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Oh boy…that reply should have been my comment…lol!
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Catherine
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love love love — the green lightbulbs are awesome! I have a LOT of found objects I can’t bear to use hoping I can find a few minutes to do something for this with them ;-)
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misty
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You are so funny! I thought that I was the only one who can not tell a lie and admit to it after saying it! This is awesome…not your normal style but still totally awesome!
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Lisa Flaherty
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Great piece, and great lessons. I can understand how it took great restraint to make it to the 2nd floor with this piece, instead of skipping merrily down your painty, first floor hallway! :) Love how you applied that cool spool and the thread especially!
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Cindy Kotora
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Very interesting piece! So different from your usual style. How did you transfer the Prima paper? TFS
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Sue Clarke
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I have this wonderful collection of special items that I may use some day.
I also have that attitude that it must be super special (as if I won’t find more “special” items in the future). Like what you did and how you used the light bulbs.
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jane w.
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awesome- those tiny bulbs are so cool!
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linda
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What a fabulous found object piece of art! Love everything you post, but especially when you give the thought processes behind what you’ve created; would love to see more about your thoughts behind mixed media pieces your create. I’ve learned so much from your blog. Thank you for your generous spirit!
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Jean Marmo
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I love the list of things you learned! I could take a lesson from yoU!
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Martha Richardson
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Oh man…a week off the internet and look what I missed…lots of catching up to do but I’m up for it ;) Love this challenge!
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