...failed experiment....
So, I have an art project due at 3:00. It's supposed to be a mandala, though the specifications of the project are pretty broad (circular, 2 media, and about you).
So, of course, I decide I want mine to look like a crystal ball. I started working on this huge double sided abstract picture of symbols and symbolic images, and cut them out, connected by chains of paper. I did oil pastel, cause I figured it was the hardiest medium I could use on paper- it's waterproof, and usually scraping is the only thing that'll take it off something. I got a round vase (I wanted a globular clear cover for a light fixture, but money was tight), and tried to figure out some kind of clear medium to suspend the images in. The plan was to throw some glitter in it, suspend the images, and light it from the bottom, but having everything expanding from the center.
Next time, I'll take the easier way out. First of all, Finding something clear, but viscous, to suspend those images in that would dry within a month- not easy. The first thought was silicone (silicate, whatever it is- the gluey stuff you use in aquariums), but for it to dry in time, I would have had to do it in layers, and when you do that, it becomes opaque towards the center.
I wracked my brain, even tried to see if Autumn knew any media. The best thing anyone came up with was clear gel candle wax.
Yeah, it was the best idea- in theory.
First of all, to get enough costed me 32$. For WAX. The globe-vase was MAYBE 9x9. And, it still filled it only an inch from the top, so I would have had to fill the bottom (or top- as that's where I was pouring it in), I was gonna flip it over onto a base) with something else to make it work. Fucking highway robbery.
Then, well, you have to heat the gel-wax and melt it to get it in whatever you're putting it in. The oil pastel began melting off the paper. Oh, the paper's still colored, and you can kind of see it- in a purplish, murky mass. So I got pretty upset.
See, time and money constraints. I didn't wait till the last minute on this project. I have yet to be able to get into blackboard, which is the only place the teacher put the assignment. I had to find someone in the class to e-mail me an attatchment of it. I seriously worked on this thing with what time and means I had, and I only got the wax last night. So no time to redo it.
Adam suggested I dress in all black, show up with the finished piece and say "My life is shit" in a cheesy French accent. I guess it could work, but it's not me. I got up this morning, pulled out a white oil pastel , and drew a smiley face on it. I'm going to bring it in and say it represents my ability to laugh at my mistakes.
Honestly- everyone in the class is going to show up with some 2-D foamcore or cardboard circle with marker, paint, or collage. I think I'm still going to get a good grade, because the idea was certainly a good one, and I even told my teacher about it days ago. She thought it would work. I may get points for my ability to still turn it into a representation of me.
Suppose I'll chalk it up to learning experience, but I was really excited about this. I feel a little heartsick over it. Can't have it come out perfect every time, I suppose. Like it says, nothing to do but smile and laugh at it. After all, it's not as though I didn't work very hard on it and give it my best. the other project for class will be better- once I know what it is.
So, of course, I decide I want mine to look like a crystal ball. I started working on this huge double sided abstract picture of symbols and symbolic images, and cut them out, connected by chains of paper. I did oil pastel, cause I figured it was the hardiest medium I could use on paper- it's waterproof, and usually scraping is the only thing that'll take it off something. I got a round vase (I wanted a globular clear cover for a light fixture, but money was tight), and tried to figure out some kind of clear medium to suspend the images in. The plan was to throw some glitter in it, suspend the images, and light it from the bottom, but having everything expanding from the center.
Next time, I'll take the easier way out. First of all, Finding something clear, but viscous, to suspend those images in that would dry within a month- not easy. The first thought was silicone (silicate, whatever it is- the gluey stuff you use in aquariums), but for it to dry in time, I would have had to do it in layers, and when you do that, it becomes opaque towards the center.
I wracked my brain, even tried to see if Autumn knew any media. The best thing anyone came up with was clear gel candle wax.
Yeah, it was the best idea- in theory.
First of all, to get enough costed me 32$. For WAX. The globe-vase was MAYBE 9x9. And, it still filled it only an inch from the top, so I would have had to fill the bottom (or top- as that's where I was pouring it in), I was gonna flip it over onto a base) with something else to make it work. Fucking highway robbery.
Then, well, you have to heat the gel-wax and melt it to get it in whatever you're putting it in. The oil pastel began melting off the paper. Oh, the paper's still colored, and you can kind of see it- in a purplish, murky mass. So I got pretty upset.
See, time and money constraints. I didn't wait till the last minute on this project. I have yet to be able to get into blackboard, which is the only place the teacher put the assignment. I had to find someone in the class to e-mail me an attatchment of it. I seriously worked on this thing with what time and means I had, and I only got the wax last night. So no time to redo it.
Adam suggested I dress in all black, show up with the finished piece and say "My life is shit" in a cheesy French accent. I guess it could work, but it's not me. I got up this morning, pulled out a white oil pastel , and drew a smiley face on it. I'm going to bring it in and say it represents my ability to laugh at my mistakes.
Honestly- everyone in the class is going to show up with some 2-D foamcore or cardboard circle with marker, paint, or collage. I think I'm still going to get a good grade, because the idea was certainly a good one, and I even told my teacher about it days ago. She thought it would work. I may get points for my ability to still turn it into a representation of me.
Suppose I'll chalk it up to learning experience, but I was really excited about this. I feel a little heartsick over it. Can't have it come out perfect every time, I suppose. Like it says, nothing to do but smile and laugh at it. After all, it's not as though I didn't work very hard on it and give it my best. the other project for class will be better- once I know what it is.