Making hay

One of the giant differences between assemblage/mixed media work and straight painting is the thought process during construction. When I paint and am stuck ... I tend to move to assemblage. The painting remains on my easel and while I'm working at my table, I can glance back and ponder what comes next. Often. I don't even THINK about it. It just pops into my head while I'm banging away.

Not quite so straight forward with assemblage.
Well. For me at least.

 Many months ago I created this doodle in my travelling art journal ... a copy of Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist which resides in my purse at all times along with a bag of Sharpies and one of my fave pens (Pilot G-TEC-C4 ... no affiliate. I just LOVE these pens!!)

Original doodle drawing ...

I always figured it'd end up being an assemblage and thought it would be a perfect addition to my "Home. Wish You Were Here." project.

With some modifications of course.

Working through the steps on paper ...

Like, I wanted  the box to be more ...erm... house-y to fit in the theme.
And how to deal with those balloons? (think packing tape!)
Other elements popped up that would work for the post and base.
But each piece needed to build on the other so to my working journal!
I keep this in the studio where I, y'know, work stuff out.

Starting the construction ...

The photo above shows my original roof structure on the left(ish). It didn't quite work out. So I've opted for a cardboard mock-up. I *think* I'm going to plaster it. Only. I really love the super smooth finish of the box. I also have to figure out how to attach the pole/post. Which is going to mark up the interior ... aluminium tape? Go rough (and then I don't have to worry about that smooth finish)? Hmmm. What to do? What to do? (did you notice the "balloons"?!?)

And herein lies the solution to figuring stuff out while assembling/mix media-ing ... I break out the wire, pliers and hammers, a few stashed elements (in this case teeth and claws ... cuz don't we all have a drawer of those lying about? Okay. So *I* have a drawer of those kicking around!) and make ...well... more stuff!

The one downside of working like this is I often get so excited about one of these "side paths" that I forget what I was doing and THAT project ends up in the "Finish This Shit" box.

Really though. Hardly the worst thing to have happen.
Am I right?!?