Wednesday, March 3, 2010

crow collage

I've been making collages with my stamps and security envelopes for a few months. They've been simple, small and abstract. I decided to do something a little different. I gathered a couple of envelopes, some doily scraps, and a box from Yogi teas. Have you seen the inside of the Yogi tea boxes? Gorgeous. Inspiring. I had a piece of cardboard from the back of a frame to use as my surface, and I let this piece evolve. Layer by layer with found papers, ink, and paint... it grew. I think it's still growing. I'm not sure if I will leave it be, or not.

I was definitely influenced by my desire for the arrival of spring and the snow covered meadow out my back door. At first I added (white) grass beneath the security envelope tree, but then an entire garden wanted to bloom. The blossoms are bits from the tea box, painted with a fine brush. I left one undone so that you could see what it looked like. The doilies made perfect clumps of ivory flowers... or maybe they are the last traces of snow, I'm not sure.

This is a gift for a dear friend. She's someone who's received my collages and art over the years and I always feel I can experiment with her presents. She's gracious and excited about anything handmade. Now isn't that a sweet gift to the artist?! We all should have a friend like that, or at least try to be that kind of friend! Pin It

26 comments:

  1. my young adult daughters are like that with me. i am so blessed.

    i love this calm and sweet collage.

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  2. Karen- to have that quality in your grown children! How wonderful.I hope I shall be so fortunate!

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  3. it is a beautiful work of art maya and will be a treasured gift because it shares so much of who you are.

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  4. We all need friends like that. She is lucky to have you as a friend too! You have amazing talent :-)

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  5. What a beautiful and clever use for recycled materials. I am sure your friend will adore this piece of artwork.

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  6. It's beautiful. What a lovely gift. And, yes, I've noticed the Yogi tea boxes, too. It always feels a shame to throw them away.

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  7. Very, very inspiring.
    I like it so match!

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  8. very creative.. great recycling and pretty too!

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  9. Maya...what a beautiful stamp. That is one lucky friend!

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  10. Such a lovely little collage! You have a very lucky and dear friend. :)

    Oh and I love Yogi tea, everything about it from the box, to the quotes, to the actual tea.

    Beautiful work!! I'm very inspired now to go drink a cup of tea and deconstruct the box. hahaha

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  11. I'm so impressed by your creativity. It's amazing. I love the crows!

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  12. Wonderful collage! I love your new stamp and your use of security envelopes (I have a huge stack myself)!

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  13. Your crow stamp came out beautifully.
    Tea boxes are always interesting to recycled,most packaging, always great graphics.
    Love the security envelope scraps, I am dong an online class using them to make a mini book. So fun.

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  14. i love this ... especially the flower heads.

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  15. The simplicity and beauty of your work is awe-inspiring.

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  16. Wonderful...Wonderful!!! Love your use of the envelopes! I have also thought they were pretty like fabric on the inside! I also bought 2 brand new pkgs of lace paper doilies this week at the Thrift shop..never been opened for 20 cents and thought I could make cards with them. I thought maybe of using stain on them to change the color. I just love yours!!! I also love your blog!!!

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  17. collage work is always so real . satisfying to use what you have

    blessings

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  18. A lovely gift. I am sure it'll go down a treat.

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  19. Very beautiful collage and a great example of how versatile stamps can be.

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  20. Such a lovely collage and gift! Just beautiful. :)

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  21. Oh! What a lucky, lucky friend! I adore this hun....so beautiful and inspired.
    xo
    Melis

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  22. Lovely - Now I need to go peek inside my Yogi tea box!

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  23. Beautiful collage!
    My friend Agata and I have been enjoying upcycling security envelopes for a while:

    http://artscrapandmore.blogspot.com/2010/02/scrap-rendez-vous-11-part-1.html

    we even have an on-going challenge...

    Thanks for sharing ;-)

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  24. I love this, Maya! I'll be linking tomorrow!

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  25. love the crow. you've inspired me to drag out the lino blocks, etc. so wonderful!

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