Alisa Burke - Canvas Remix: Techniques for Creating Mixed-Media Accessories

CANVAS REMIX Alisa Burke NORTH LIGHT BOOKS
Cincinnati, Ohio www.mycraftivity.com Canvas Remix. Copyright 2008 by Alisa Burke. Manufactured in China.
All rights reserved. The patterns and drawings in the book are for personal use of reader. By permission of the author and publisher, they may be either hand-traced or photocopied to make single copies, but under no circumstances may they be resold or republished. It is permissible for the purchaser to make the projects contained herein and sell them at fairs, bazaars and craft shows.

No other part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote a brief passage in review. Published by North Light Books, an imprint of F+W Publications, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236. (800) 289-0963. First edition. 12 11 10 09 08 5 4 3 2 1 Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct
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Georgetown, ON, Canada L7G 5S4
Tel: (905) 877-4411 Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by David & Charles Brunel House,
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E-mail: postmaster@davidandcharles.co.uk Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link
P.O.

Box 704, S. Windsor, NSW 2756, Australia Tel: (02) 4577-3555 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Burke, Alisa.
Canvas remix : techniques for creating mixed-media accessories / by Alisa Burke. -- 1st ed.
p cm
www.fwpublications.com ISBN 978-1-60061-075-2 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60061-660-0 (EPUB)
1. 2. 2.

Mixed media painting. 3. Wearable art. I. Title.
TT157.B832 2008
745.5--dc22 2007052004 Editors: Tonia Davenport and Robin M. Hampton Cover Design: Maya Drozdz Interior Design: Marc Whitaker, MTWdesign.net Production Coordinator: Greg Nock Photographers: Christine Polomsky and Al Parrish Photo Stylist: Jan Nickum Dedication This book is dedicated to my husband, Andy, who allows me the space to create and the freedom to spill paint on anything and everything, supports my dreams, puts up with my excessive planning, always encourages rule breaking and is a devoted friend who loves me through it allmy gratitude.

Acknowledgments Thank you to my mom and dad for fostering my creative growth and being shining examples of faith. Thank you to my brother for being one of the smartest people I know and for sharing his smarts with me through this process. Thank you to all the special friends who believe in my abilities. Special thanks to my friend and talented photographer, Duvy. Thank you to the North Light teamespecially Tonia, Robin, Maya, Marc and Christine who are some of the kindest hardworking people with the best taste in cuisine whom I have yet to meet! CONTENTS Introduction
PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES I still remember the first time I globbed paint onto a canvas, smeared color all over my pants, stretched a canvas and got butterflies in my stomach before a class critique my freshman year in college. There was something special about paint that I was drawn toor maybe I just loved making a mess.

The learning process was exciting, fresh and consuming. So it didnt take long for me to become passionate about everything regarding the medium. I decided to major in painting, took as many classes as possible and slowly began developing my own style, which was messy, narrative and always personal. I started my paintings with freewriting, dripping paint and using vibrant colors and then painted the assignments on top of the multiple layers. Even then I was crazy about paint, text and images piled on top of one another. I loved being an art major but was frustrated by the confines of the assignments.

I always looked for ways to break the rules and loved rebelling against the traditional standards of painting. With study and experimentation, I found my voice as a painter and became comfortable challenging the concept of art. After college, my journey as a painter brought me to a place where a canvas with four sides was just not enough. I wanted to break free from working within a square. I continued painting compositions, but I began to paint more on unstretched canvas. Then I started ripping and cutting these paintings and turning them into something new.

The first time my husband saw me rip a painting, he looked at me like I was crazy. I began using my paintings as fabric. I taught myself to sew and started making a new kind of art. My breakthrough happened when I needed a one-of-a-kind purse to accompany a little black dress. I was suddenly inspired to rip a painting right off the stretcher bars and cut it up to sew into a clutch handbag. The result was a unique piece of art and was the beginning of truly pushing my boundaries.

My evolution as an artist and a painter has been a fulfilling process, and its hard to believe that fourteen years have passed since that first painting class. I now have years of experience showing and selling art, redefining my style and breaking all sorts of creative rules. Through it all my favorite materials are still canvas and paint. But the best part of being a painter is sharing my art and process with others. Teaching my techniques is gratifying, and encouraging others to break the rules is downright exciting! My intention for this book is to introduce you to my world and bring inspiration to your own artwork and mixed-media creations. Canvas Remix is all about pushing the envelope with traditional materials and redefining the concept of what painting can and should be.

From graffiti to whimsical images to art history to punk-rock culture to vintage elements, Ive sprinkled the pages of this book with the many things that have influenced me and defined who I am as a painter. Ill introduce you to tricks and tools painters use, techniques that range from freewriting to splattering to making a wonderful mess. Youll then push your canvas paintings and transform them into something completely new. Be prepared to cut, rip, sew and remix your canvas into unconventional accessories and imaginative mementos. Welcome to Canvas Remix! SUPPLIES AND TOOLS Everyone can learn to use the same simple materials that painters use. You dont have to be an art major or even consider yourself an artist to appreciate paint and canvas.

Learning to use paint is about getting to know your supplies and finding what works best for you. Dont spend a lot of money on expensive materials. Instead, splurge on one or two items and get creative with the rest. Think outside the box when it comes to your tools and suppliesall sorts of household items can be used to apply paint. Home-design centers also offer great options for paint and tools that are often quite affordable. Enjoy the process of painting and try not to get caught up in needing the perfect supplies.