Acrylic Paintings and Papier Maché Sculpture

In 1999, I began a technique in which I attach support structures to a prepared canvas and cover the structures with papier maché. Then I paint the entire surface (canvas and papier maché) with acrylic paints. So far, I have created only two projects of this type as it is a tedious process.

The most extensive piece of work I've done of this type is my Family Tree. It depicts my face, divided into three sections (each one tinted one of the three primary colors of light---green, blue and red) overlaying the moon. A dragon swoops past. There are pictures of my parents and both sets of grandparents, including my step-grandfather. Photos were modified in Photoshop. Older photos needed touching up from wear (as I preferred pictures of my grandparents in their younger days for this piece). I added effects to my parents' photos for a more surreal effect. Planters are built into the tree roots so that living plants can thrive in the sculpture. The roots of the tree spell out the word "love." Below are some close-ups of different areas of the tree taken in 2006 (so there is a bit of dust and a few branches have cracks). I currently use the tree to display my Pysanky, so you will see some of them in these photos.

Step 1: Painting---the canvas was painted. In the future, I would do this later since it was difficult to keep it clean while doing the papier maché part. Window screening was sewn into place with thick carpenter's thread and tied around the canvas frame for stability. Real tree branches and wires were used for the foundation. Pots to put the live plants were secured in place.

Step 2: Papier maché---paper towels were applied with a simple flour and water paste. Toilet tissue was used for smaller areas.

Step 3: Photos---photos of relatives were attached and covered with plastic wrap to prevent the papier maché from getting on them.

Step 4: Clay---Self-drying clay was added and carved into, creating a bark-like texture. When completely dried, acrylic paint was used to create color variations.

Note: In retrospect, the attachments of photos should have been done after the papier mache was painted.

Step 5: Gluing---A hot glue gun was used to attach dried moss and flowers.

Here is the final product, although it has been difficult to obtain any good photos of this work. I made the second scan by attaching a lot of pictures together. It shows a little more detail than the first picture though.

This is the Vegetanimal From Outer Space. It was created in a similar fashion as the Family Tree. Click the link below to see how it was created.

The previous works incorporated acrylic painting with papier maché. Here are a few examples of acrylic painting on canvas.