::VERONICA FUNK::
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Journal.

Art vs Craft

5/7/2014

 
Picture
One of my favorite and least expensive tools for adding texture to my work is DAP DryDex Spackling.  I love gel medium as well, but prefer the chalkiness of spackling and the fact that I can sand or carve into it once it is dry.  And DAP is fantastic as it goes on pink and dries white so I know when I can work into it without constantly sticking my fingers into it.  Plus, another great bonus, is that it's inexpensive and readily available at any hardware store. 

On the negative side, it can crumble off flexible surfaces like canvas and paper so I've begun mixing it with gel media to create more flexibility.  I'm also careful about the amount I use on a surface that isn't rigid.  Once it dries, I sand down any sharp ridges, give the piece another coat of gesso, sometimes white and other times black, depending what I'm planning to do on the top. 

Lately I've been giving a lot of thought to Art vs Craft as what I do can often fall into both categories.  I really dislike the separation because I grew up learning crafts - weaving, beading, embroidery, sewing,  crocheting, knitting, wood & leather burning - which taught me composition, colour, design and how to commit to a project until it is complete.  When I finally had the opportunity to take an art class when I moved to Alberta during grade 11 my teacher mentioned that she wasn't surprised that I had the same understanding of the elements of design as her other students who had studied art throughout their school years.

I think any form of creative expression is necessary...cooking, sewing, music, gardening, photography....I believe we all need to dream of things in our minds, to create something with our own two hands.  And I whole-heartedly believe that every single form of that expression is art.

Jen link
5/7/2014 03:33:05 am

what made me come to read ... was my under-the-breath mutter of 'please don't let her diss craft. please don't let her diss craft." ... so I'm thrilled that you too are a 'craft? art?' who cares kinda girl. *phew*

re: Dap ... I'll have to try some. I use some of their other products (caulking to be specific) and have gone off Golden's Crackle Paste for much the same reason you talk about how the spackling behaves on less than solid substrates. FWIW, a thinned layer of any PVA glue works well to adhere the paste/spackle to the substrate without completely wrecking the porous texture. Of course once I've finished painting/layering, I give a generous cover of any pliant polymer product (medium, GAC, glue, varnish).

oh. and again, YAY! for no craft/art division! lol

Veronica Funk link
5/8/2014 03:00:12 pm

Hey Jen...I'm glad I'm not the only art & craft girl, either. I have to be careful of the materials I bring into the house because of the sensitivity of my family but I'm definitely going to look into your suggestions - thanks!


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  • Home
  • Journal
  • Portfolio
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Portraits >
      • Woman's Work
      • Extraordinary Women
      • The Grandmothers
      • Wunderland
      • Nasty Women
      • Heroes
    • 52 WEEKS >
      • Wildlife
      • Wildflowers
      • Storytellers
      • Gratitude
    • Fashion Plates
    • Sacred Vessel
    • Simple Pleasures
    • Altered Books
    • Free Art Resources
  • Galleries
  • Contact
  • eCourses
  • Login
    • Painting Animals
    • Painting Art Journals
    • Painting Backgrounds
    • Painting Bees
    • Painting Canoes
    • Painting CityScapes
    • Painting Flowers
    • Painting Hearts & Houses
    • Painting Landscapes
    • Painting Portraits