Inspired by the book "Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion" by Elizabeth Cline (2012), I've done a lot of refashioning lately. You know the scenario: you decide you hate a garment (or ... everything in your closet!) and you just want to get the thing out of your sight. Maybe you've gained (or lost!) weight, or styles have changed, or you just can't figure out what you were thinking when you bought it in the first place. A thriftier and more eco-friendly solution than throwing the item in the trash, or even donating it to charity, is to whip out a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and change up the style. Instant and free "new" garment.
This technique of refashioning has worked well in my closet, so I figured, "Why not in my studio too?"
As with clothing dissatisfaction, I've always liked but not loved the following two diptychs. The squares were made in 2010 and the rectangles in 2012. They've all just sat in my studio because I didn't have enough faith in them to promote them. However, they're not so bad that I'd want to get rid of them. Enter the refashioning method.
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| Not bad, but ... |
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| OK, but ... |
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| Pretty good, but ... |
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| Lukewarm ... |
To make the change, I simply grabbed a pair of scissors and a gallon of gel medium, and voila, two canvas collages on canvas:
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| Flowing and energetic! |
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| Elaborate and full of depth! |
Here's how they look together as a diptych, which is how I would ideally display them:
I've very pleased with the results! It turns out that, just as with clothing, old paintings can be made new again with a little imagination.
2 comments:
Sometimes you have to step back and let the piece(es)speak to you. I did that with an old piece from grad school. Also I had a new look at the piece I was working on before I broke my wrist in June. Now that I can stitch/draw again I also looked at that piece with the experience of processing frustration of not being able to stitch for a couple of months. I do love what you did with these older pieces and how you shared the process of a new look see!
The artwork always knows better than the artist what it needs! We just have to listen, as you say. I'm glad you're healed and able to create again, Elaine. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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