Sunday, November 22, 2009

Creative Type Challenge: "Uneasy"


Title: Uneasy
This layout was done for the The Creative Type blog's current challenge to use paper cutting techniques. The inspiration was the talented London-based paper cutting artist Rob Ryan, whose intricate paper cutting masterpieces (featured in this book) are beyond amazing.


My take on this challenge was on multiple levels:
  • Papercutting: I cut the title "Uneasy" and backed it with black cardstock; The circular medallion is also hand-cut and backed with indigo blue cardstock (the medallion gives this piece a religious connotation, as it looks like stain-glass windows in churches). Also, the photo is pierced and punched to give it an illusion of it crumbling to ashes.
  • Overall theme: Upon admiring Mr. Ryan's work, I was inspired by his recurrent theme of unrequited, brooding love. So, I was challenged to dig a bit deeper than my typical "cute kid" layouts, and scrap a topic that has substance and emotion.
  • Symbolism: This layout is about my struggles with the feelings of insignificance, and perhaps that "this" life is all there really is; It's about the struggles to find my faith and belief that all the daily mundane and minutiae have a higher purpose. The 17th century children's rhyme (which I've typed with a vintage typewriter on music note paper ), perfectly discloses the theme of this layout:
Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies
"Ashes, Ashes"
We all fall down!



I've found a vintage illustration of children playing this game, and printed it on sepia color, crackle-effect vellum. I've singled out one child in this picture (by placing a clear epoxy sticker and gold "halo" around the head) who looks like he's not enjoying this "game", or perhaps he realizes the true mening of the lyrics.
Further, to show age and decay, I cut out a picture of a rusted wrought iron trellis, added a spider, and punched so many holes in my photo so that it may look like it's crumbling. The yellow rose  is a fabric applique - here also used to imply impermanence and fragility of life.

Thank you for taking an intrest in my work!
Irma


    9 comments:

    Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

    wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!! this is amazing!!!! love love love all the paper cutting, the photos, the colors.....just gorgeous! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

    Miele said...

    Dėkui, kad daliniesi :) Tikrai yra iš ko pasimokyti. Ps. O galima čia komentuoti lietuviškai? Net pasimečiau... :D

    Irma said...

    Thanks Julie!
    ***
    Miele ir mielos lietuvės,
    Komentuokite bent kokia kalba ;) visi komentarai man labai brangūs ;)

    bethchien said...

    thank you so much for leaving me a comment on my blog! I love your work so much!
    Have a great day!
    B

    Jurgita said...

    Darbelis tikrai ipatingas, asmeniskas ir simbolinis. Gaila kad google vertejas sumale viska i kose ir gavosi nesusipratimas. Teks tavo komentara studijuoti su zodynu ... Nieko nebus :)

    Irma said...

    Thanks Beth! I love your blog and added it to my faves!
    **
    Jurgita: aha! Google Translate taip išvertė kad lyg rašiau neblaivu protu...pilvą susiėmus juokiausi :) (Atsiunčiu tau e. paštu vertimą ;)

    Kent said...

    Wow what an awesome take on The Creative Type Prompt! I love it! Great detail and workmanship! Thanks for playing along with us!

    Lara said...

    Your layout is amazing! You have put so much thought and care into it - I admire that very much. Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog for my take on this challenge. :-)

    Unknown said...

    WOW! awesomw cutting!! thanks for playing!!