Having posted about my fruit/pastry paper collages earlier in the week, a friend asked how they were made and did I have any others at the Chatette? The answers are: easily and yes! (I must confess that the pastry paper came later.)
If you'd like to try this on your own, you will need: card stock; plastic wrap; a roll of paper towels (2, if you're particularly messy), an even surface, a pulpy fruit of your choice (plums, peaches, figs, pumpkin, etc.); pretty and interesting items from your garden that you'd like to use in your collage (leaves, tiny flowers, rose petals, clover, even weeds work well); and, most of all, a joy in letting yourself go and having fun with the fruit. First a layer of fruit, next arranging your pretties, then another layer of fruit that is essential because this is the layer than seals to the plastic wrap, and finally cover your creation with a sheet of plastic wrap. You will find that the plastic wrap gives added textures and swirls when you push, swirl, and play on top with the fruit that lies beneath. I'd usually hang them from the terrace clothes line to dry a bit before I'd take them to be pressed under a heavy book for evening out.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the secret is to get the collage as sealed as possible: first with your plastic wrap, and secondly when you frame them. This protects them and also prevents moisture from sneaking in. Then, you get a very unattractive fruit cobbler.
You will find that these are very pretty with light behind them. They take on an almost stained glass look. Natural light is nice, but lamp light works as well. Lamp shades can be very pretty using this technique...difficult to do, but very pretty.
So, there you have it. Take it, make it your own, and have fun with it. It's amazing how your own creativity and talent emerge in techniques that are free-flowing and fun. I know I felt like a kid again! Happy Saturday!
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