Wednesday 28 November 2012

rust and remnants .....

I spent most of Monday in the studio rusting large sheets of paper to print on and make some more Standing Stories.  Once the papers have gone through their various solutions, they dry on pieces of butchers paper or packing paper which is thicker has has a shiny smooth finish.

The marks left behind on the paper backings are often more gorgeous than the rusted papers themselves though I did manage to get some lovely results.  I have a couple of days ahead in the studio and I will start using the large sheets.  It will be fun as mostly I am used to rusting A3 size or smaller.  These sheets are A1 and A2 size and I think the rusting will add interest to some of my 'stories'.  I have not yet decided whether to leave them as they are or use layers of ink wash to add interest and tone down the rusty palette.  I find rusting is often my starting point - not the end point.

The first five images below are of the remnants and the remaining photos are snippets of the full sheets. I hope I don't mess them up tomorrow once I start working with them as they are quite beautiful already with the happenstance of the rusting process.

















































Oh - and I decided to keep the back papers for wrapping paper!  There are many more of them than those I photographed. Really rather exquisite.

24 comments:

  1. Your results are totally gorgeous, Susan.
    I am just starting to play around with rusting both on fabric and paper. Do you have any hints and tips for a beginner like me, or is it all hush hush and secret. I bought one of India Flint's books which is a fantastic reference book. My email is sadesigns@live.co.uk
    I really do understand that you would want to keep your methods a closely guarded secret...we all need a little bit of intellectual property which we retain for ourselves.
    Have fun!
    xx

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    1. Hello Sue and thankyoufor visiting my blog. Regarding intellectual property and must rusting - I must assure you there is none. If you came across my blog, you are obviously following others in the rusting tribe and the beauty of this tribe is that we all seem to be happy to share our processes. I use tea, caustic soda and ferrous sulphate soaking to achieve my effects. There are many recipes on line but ifyou want to know more please feel free to contact me via susanbowers13@gmail.com
      Happy rusting.

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  2. As my daughters would say...O! M! G!

    I'm lusting and salivating and dancing and O! M! G! I want to see your rusty papers in person. That 3rd photo...perfection.

    I'll stop babbling and go back to lusting now.

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    1. Glad you were lustful Jennifer. I know that feeling soooo well when looking at your glorious rust adventures. x

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  3. Oh my, how lovely! I think I prefer the back papers as well. Do you spritz the paper with vinegar/water before putting down the rusty objects?

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    1. Hello and thankyoufor for the lovely comment. No - the backing papers are literally thereto stop the rusty papers from staining the floors - just to soak up the wet. Itis justlovelythat they pick off quite a bit of the rust from the back side of the paper. Some people may be sorry to lose that rust buti love the marks that form.

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  4. Just beautiful - love them.
    As I've said before I so love your work.

    Diane. x

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    1. Thanks Diane. Haven't done the real work yet but the sheets of paper make good starting points. x

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    1. Thanks Ronnie - we will see what happens as i work into them.

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  6. Susan-They all are rather exquisite! I am amazed at all the variation, the different markings and color...some even looked like gold leaf to me. I know what you mean by not wanting to "mess them up"...they are gorgeous...but I have confidence with your sensitive eye that you will play off of the serendipity of these marks...I'm really looking forward to seeing what stories this pieces tell!--Julie

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    1. I am glad you have confidence that I can breath life into these lovely sheets of paper and not send them to the bin!

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  7. You have a wonderful collection of papers...beautiful rusty textures. And using some for wrapping paper is a great idea.

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    1. Thanks Donna. I have already used one sheet to wrap a birthday gift. Am now thinking how they will look under the Christmas tree!

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  8. hi ... i have been reading yours for a while now ... i felt compelled to comment today .. its so interesting that the support papers that catch the 'afterthought' are oftentimes so beguiling and as you note here, MORE than the original intent.

    now ... to get something from you using THAT wrapping paper is something! ..

    its interesting dont you think ? .... i can relate totally - it seems to be the way of 'doing' .... seeing

    enjoy the prompt i often get from my reading list ... thanks >>> Gina

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    1. Hello Gina and thank you for popping in to say hello. I think itis delicious to find prompts in unexpected places. Good to always keep one's eyes open..... Glad you like the wrapping paper idea.

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  9. S-hail to the rust - all beautiful whether on the working paper or the backing - and I'm sure all able to be put to good use. Go ell and create well. B

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    1. Absolutely hail to rust - it gives such a wonderful starting point. Or end point for that matter. :-)

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  10. Looking forward to seeing where you take these Susan.

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    1. thanks Leslie - into standing stories mostly. I like the idea o some of this contrast in colour and texture. Not sure if I will print on them - some perhaps but I am also thinking of drawing into them instead.

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  11. It's happening again. I am biting my nails and pulling at my hair and thinking 'I'd better give up right now, I'll never do anything nearly as gorgeous'. I-do-so-wish-I-could-see-those-GORGEOUS-papers-in-person!

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    1. Hello Ersi - save those nails! We all know you do plenty in your studio with very gorgeous results .... I am often covetous.

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  12. I'm another rust lover and have some aluminum printing plates with hard and soft ground rusting in the garden at the moment - we will see what time will do to them - gorgeous images Susan

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  13. Hello Rosie. Love the idea of leaving your plates out to rust. I have not done that but do leave them in acid indefinitely at times with the middles protected, and watch the acid eat away at the metal until only a filagree edge remains. Plates are beautiful to print from in this state. I did quite a few many years ago. I should dig them up and post on them so you see what happens.

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I appreciate your comments - thank you!