Prickly Girl

Apr 8, 2009

Topic: Arts | Tags: , ,

prickly_girl

While I should have been editing articles and cropping photos, I was instead perusing Etsy for new artists. Lo and behold Kathryn Andrews, mother of two and skeletal decoupage artist in Maryland.

Her work is such an unexpected mix of household and sci-fi; from mushrooms to deer remains, the metallic silver discs are the perfect serving platters for an artist’s party. Kathryn has held strong against selling out by gluing puppies to the plates in order to make a few bucks, although she did do a classy butterfly ware for her mother-in-law, and she’s a completely approachable seller. Seriously, email her! Rather than read more of my meager critique, see below for the mini-interview I did with Kathryn about her work.

prickly_girl2

Do you do the illustrations, or are they cut from magazines and books?
The illustrations are all out-of-copyright vintage prints. I apprenticed with another decoupage artist that does more traditional work: primarily floral, fruit, animals, that sort of thing. I’ve always been more attracted to skeletons and unusual subjects. The thing I like most about the skeletal work is that they are so delicate and lace-like. I’ve tried to do more traditional pieces, but I’m not really drawn to the subject matter in the same way, and I’m never as happy with the results, so I’m trying to stick to doing what I like. Which is a challenge, knowing that other things would probably sell better!

Are the plates partially metal?
No — the plates are glass — I’m glad you think they look like metal… I think that’s a good sign!

Can you tell me a little about your process?
I begin with clean, plain glass bowls or plates, then prime them with a watery glue solution. The images, all cut by hand, which can be a timely, painstaking process, are affixed to the back of the glass piece, any air bubbles are smoothed out and excess glue is removed before the piece is allowed to dry (anywhere from 10-24 hours.)

Then a thin layer, or several, depending, of metallic paint is lightly sponged or dry brushed and allowed to dry. I’m working on some additional techniques.

Several layers of regular acrylic paint are layered, and dried, before several coats of flat spray paint are applied. Then those have to dry, too.

A few coats of metallic spray paint are applied and I finish the back of the plate (can be stamped, leafed and vinegared, etc.) and I sign the piece before applying several final coats of clear high-gloss spray acrylic.

As progressive layers of paint are added, the drying times increase, and it’s hard to be patient! I also use a wax metallic buffing finish sometimes, it really depends. The final step is cleaning the front of the plate, the glass side, and finishing the edge with metallic paint, which requires a steady hand – and more patience! The entire process takes several days, so I usually try to do several pieces at a time. Did I mention drying time? Literally watching paint dry… which is how I manage to do all sorts of other things.

I noticed your post about Spring break – are you in school?
No, my children, ages four and eight, are in school. I’m actually an opera singer by training, and I grew up in a house with two parents who were artists. They appreciate what I’m doing, but don’t really “get it” — wish I’d do the more traditional stuff — or how Etsy works! I still wish that I’d gone to art school rather than music school.

Tell me how you started selling.
I finally decided to start selling my work this year during thing-a-day. I got great feedback, and was so encouraged by that community. My husband just started a tea company, Damn Fine Tea, check it out. They have fantastic tea and great package design and his willingness to try new things was a great example when I was trying to figure out if I really wanted to put myself. and my work, out there.

Buy some work on Kathryn’s Etsy shop, Prickly Girl

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