Channeling Picasso and Matisse by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

I keep a box on the table next to the die cutting machine into which I toss the little pieces that fall out of die cuts that have been backed with double-sided adhesive, along with small die cuts I make from larger scraps (shapes like circles or folder tabs or clipboard hardware that are under an inch in size).

I started this habit as a way of keeping the table clean and to avoid bending over a short trash can that sits on the floor near the table. Little scraps have a mind of their own and will fly all over the place! Every now and then I empty out the box, but not before I spend some time playing with the pieces before tossing them.

For a long time, I only created whimsical animals and characters like the little fellow above, but this time I decided to channel two of my favorite artists: Picasso and Matisse!

Above are some Picasso-inspired figures. Below are more that channel Matisse.

One thing led to another, and during the same creative marathon I used some newsprint scraps for a pair of cards. They incorporate circles that had been wiped against canvas coasters to remove some black paint to help speed the drying time as well as a bit of quick stenciling. I embossed the left side of one to reinforce the star motif and brushed on some gold paint to add sparkle and highlight the embossing.

YOUR TURN

Start with an Internet image search to give you a sense of what Picasso’s and Matisse’s work looks like, especially the collages and Matisse’s late-in-life paper cutouts. Use them for inspiration.

1. Save a bunch of adhesive-backed scraps from die cutting words and leaves and other such shapes. Hint: Scraps from large, flourish-filled words and leafy branches provide fabulous leftovers!

2. Cut some circles in your favorite dark colors, cut some white cardstock rectangles. Alternatively, work directly into an art journal or onto ATCs or folded note cards.

3. Arrange and rearrange the little scraps, cutting them here and there as needed. (It’s not cheating!) 

4. Expose the adhesive on the back of the shapes and adhere when things look good to your eye! Turn the circles into ornaments or add them to card fronts. Add the decorated rectangles to card fronts or mat and frame your favorites.

5. Add Lure Eye stickers for eyeballs and use almonds, elongated ovals and other shapes that resemble eyes and eyelids.

6. Keep going: Use other kinds of scraps like newsprint. Stencil or stamp on the pieces, use them for cards.

7. Optional: At any stage in the process use an embossing folder to add pattern and texture.

Supplies:

• Die cut scraps backed with double-sided adhesive prior to die cutting
•   (origami paper, Shimmer Sheetz, velvet paper sheets, cardstock)
• Painted newsprint scraps
• Solid color cardstock in assorted colors
• Stencils (shown: Seth Apter for StencilGirl Products)
• Paint
• Circle dies or templates
• 5mm and 7mm Lure Eye stickers (Stanislaus Imports, www.lasioux.com)