The Guard

How's ever said that you can only collage on paper? ;)
Gayle created a spectacular art piece on a simple block of wood. Get ready to be absolutely amazed...

Hi everyone. My project this month is an imaginary mixed media character.

He is “The Guard”, an elusive, fly-by-nighter who locks away and guards all our intimate dreams, desires, fears and insecurities. All those things that we, and only we know about ourselves.

I have worked on a 12cm x 28cm x 5cm wooden block. This block has been collaged with paper, chipboard, metal and fibres.

Collaging on wood is no different to collaging on paper and Art Basics Soft Matte Gel and 3D Matte Gel makes it very easy, you can pretty much stick anything to anything.

The metal, keys, charms, pins, head-piece, were first gessoed with Heavy White Gesso, then painted with Ranger Patina in Verdigris.

Some of these pieces have then been embossed with Stampendous Aged Copper or Silver Embossing Enamel.

The chipboard used was gessoed first with Heavy White Gesso and then painted with Tim Holtz Distress Paints (Vintage Photo, Salty Ocean, and Broken China - you can find the links below).

The sides have been collaged with random torn pieces of paper. I painted the chicken wire chipboard with Distress Paint and embossed with Aged Copper Enamel.

Some Inka Gold in Old Silver and Turquoise have been softly applied to the resin wings and cross.

I also prepared a short video for you - it's not a detailed “step by step” but you will be able to see how this piece evolved. I hope you enjoy it!

Materials from Mixed Media Place: