A stop to pick up art supplies is always a fun outing and one of my favorite shops is Meininger’s downtown. Located on south Tejon, it is a bit hidden, but they have lots of supplies for a one-stop-shop. Recently I purchased a few items and wanted to explain how I use them.
Fabriano watercolor paper is something I treat myself to once in a while. Made in Italy it is a wonderful paper for watercolor paint. The texture is amazing and priced a bit more than big box brands, for watercolor it truly is the best. When using acrylics with water, a mixed media paper or a Canson brand watercolor paper is what I prefer.
For collage and art journal application, the UHU glue stick is amazing. It sticks and holds quite nicely. Remember to always let paint dry completely before adding collage with a glue stick. In the dry climate of CO, over time, collage items will come loose when a glue stick is used so matte medium is preferred as an adhesive for projects with an archival need. In my mini journals, a glue stick is always my go-to, and UHU fits the bill.
When I upcycle a vintage book and glue my own pages into the binding, I use PVA glue. This type of journal is so unique. After cutting the pages of the book away, what remains is the binding and the book cover. With a stack of pages, text, painted papers, and all types of ephemera, I carefully place the pages in the binding with PVA glue. Sometimes extra reinforcement is needed and then I use the brown gummed paper tape. Any interest in a class where we create an art journal like this? Here is a look at one I made.
You can see is this photo collage painted pages, painted tissue pages, seashells sewn onto brown paper, a postcard, and a topography map. All kinds of unique pages that reflect my personal flair/style which I have curated, collected and bound for a unique art journal.
Also, you see a couple of basic supplies like Titanium White paint, and white artist tape for making a border around my art. Last but not least is Citrasolv. I am so happy Meininger’s stocks it now! This solvent is used to create beautiful collage papers. National Geographic magazines, early editions like the 80’s and before, work wonders with a splash of Citrasolv. Summer is the perfect time to create these papers outside, as the orange solvent is pungent!
Remove all the pages with ads and toss. Sprinkle the remaining pages with Citrasolv, close the magazine, and push down on the closed magazine. The Citrasolv will start moving the ink around. Let this percolate for a bit. How long is a bit? It depends on how much solvent has been poured on the page, outside temps. and the image. Be patient, push down on the closed magazine again. Some solvent might ooze out of the magazine, so it is a good idea to protect your work surface with newspaper. Take a look at your pages and rip out the ones you like. Let them dry in the sun on your lawn. I prefer to let the Citrasolv do the work and I do not use a brush to move the ink around, but it is up to you. A foam brush can be used to smudge and perhaps this is a look you prefer. After using the foam brush, toss it in the trash or keep it only for working with Citrasolv. It cannot be used with paint after using it with this solvent. This solvent is harmless to skin but can be irritating so wearing a pair of gloves while working with it makes sense too.
Here are some of my Citrasolv Nat Geo pages I made.
This process is very serendipitous and there is NO way to control what happens. I hope you give it a try and let me know how your pages turn out!
