Laughing Dog Arts

Monday, March 29, 2010

When art goes bad

This little bit was coming along nicely, some wool fibers needle felted on scrim on a piece of velvet. I was trying out an article in Cloth Paper Scissors magazine by Beryl Taylor (issue 16). Her piece in the magazine looked pretty and I was curious about her use of painted wonder under. I rather liked this piece before I applied the painted wonder under. I should have stopped there and did my usual doodle stitching on it but no! I had to iron on the painted WU and the paper backing wouldn't come off. It wanted to pull all the fusible up along with most of the needle felted roving. I came very close to wadding this up and throwing it into the fire!!!! Ack! I hate it!  It looks like it has mange and then someone spilled yogurt on it.  But one never knows, does one. It might grow on me if I throw it in a corner for awhile. Like a few years! Maybe I can cut it up and make.....ick.....fire starter out of it?

Full moon tonight. Listening to Coldplay today.
Be well.
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19 comments:

audrey said...

Well, Jan, it's not THAT bad. In art, something like this happens to all of us. I have a few canvases around that I can't bear to look at! I need to gesso over them and start from scratch one day. Sometimes, those are the pieces that turn out great. Give this piece some time ~ you just might want to do something else to it.
One good thing is you are open to experimenting with someting new. You never know unless you try.
I have to tell you, though, that I love pink and green together. I have a shabby chic guest bedroom that I've done in pale pink and pale green. This work of art of yours would fit right in. (:
♥ audrey

sjmcdowell said...

Hi'ya Jan,

I have a few uglyart sitting around in corners too...Hey we should start a new swap...I'll swap my ugly for your ugly and then see what the other one could do with it!! I AM kidding but well we might just start a new trend!

Ha ha I know I know...what if it really is just plain ugly and can't be fixed?? Oh well!!

Have a great evening,

susan

Robbie said...

I love Coldplay!! i have to admit I also like green and pink...and Audrey has a good point..this piece just might grow on you. Or use it for adding other techniques! Must have been working with the neutrals put you in another 'color' way! HA

Marlene said...

Audrey is right it is not that bad. It could become the base of one of your finest works, you never know. I know how you feel though. I really felt like painting today and produced two uglies so I tried sketching and discovered I had grabbed a precut piece and sketched on it but it has another pic on the back. Ugh it must be TV night.

Jan said...

Audrey, I admit the photo doesn't do justice to the manginess of this piece, it looks a little better than it does in real life;-o Maybe I should gesso over it? No, I know, I'll send it to you! It will match your guest room perfectly, ha ha!

Tam Hess said...

Don't ya hate that! I get so nervous when I have to start the painting part of my "stuff". Watercolor drives me nuts!

Jan said...

Susan, I'm sure all of us have some ugly art hidden away in the corners, I'm the only one dumb enough to blog about it:-( Maybe that will be the new trend, blogging about our mistakes! I might be able to use parts of this in something someday. Then again, maybe not.

Jan said...

Robbie, I will keep this around for now. Maybe you can take it and bead on it, make it beautiful. No, I won't inflict this on you, don't worry.

Jan said...

Hi Marlene, it's not that bad but it's not that good either, ha ha. Oh well, it was a learning experience. Pretty stormy out there tonight, I think TV is definitely in the line up tonight.

Jan said...

Hi Tam, I am just this week playing around with some watercolors. Maybe they will cheer me up a bit. Thanks for stopping by.

lynne h said...

jan, i've always wondered about this wonder under stuff... it's sort of mysterious to me - i can't quite figure out what its purpose is. i do love beryl taylor's work though (she's why i bought some wonder under). i need to just follow the directions for one of her pieces (i have one of her books) and find out!

i agree with audrey -this piece is not THAT bad!! i love the pink and those round spots...

Anonymous said...

Art is subjective & this could easily be a "happy accident"!!
Happy Tuesday!!
Love,
Marilyn
xxoo

yoborobo said...

Do what I do with my art disasters - cut it up in little pieces and use it in a collage! LOL! And there is something satisfying about taking my Ugly Art (UA) and chopping it up. Some of my worst UAs have been incorporated into perfectly lovely collages. :)) xox Pam

Marlene said...

Hi Jan, I want to let you know that I have given you the sunshine award - you can pick it up to pass on at my blog.

Maggi said...

All it needs is some stitching to integrate it and it will work well.

Anonymous said...

I agree it does not look too bad in a photograph, but may looks worse in real life. I bet you will find a place for it. I am not familiar with the 'wonder under' stuff either, but i got a lot of UA sitting around too.
Easter blessings to you and family.
QMM

April said...

Doesn't look that bad to me at all, but then I LIKE pink. Maybe if you splash a little orange on it! :0) Just kidding, Jan. I know you'll do 'something' with it, and it will become your new favorite art piece.

Unknown said...

I feel your pain, I have countless Uh-Ohs like this one stashed away somewhere. I hope you don't mind, but this, "It looks like it has mange and then someone spilled yogurt on it," made me LOL. :D

Marie S said...

Hey Jan I like Yoborobo's idea of cutting up and using it in another piece of art. I do not think it is that bad either. Maybe just put it away for a few months and bring it out later and start over on it.

Thanks Jan for your comment on my brooch, I like my stuff to look old. I used to call my stuff, ancient myth with a modern twist.
I am using filigree findings in the background and anchor charms around the face. I use the Cernit metal clays that are oven bake clay colored to look like metal for the rest of the piece.
Love and hugs.