When Michelle posted this challenge, I immediately thought about my favorite cheap trick: manila envelopes. Years ago, I was taking a fundamentals of art course and we had a guest speaker. For the life of me, I can not remember his name, but he was an accomplished artist and came back to his alma mater for a q&a. Like every struggling artist, he was short on cash so he had to fore-go certain luxuries such as extra canvases and sketch books for his artwork. While working as a janitor for the school, he found most professors and office personal had an abundance of manila envelopes tossed in the trash. He soon started to collected the abandoned envelopes and used them for his personal artwork. Even after he made a name for himself (which I can't remember!), he continued to use manila envelopes for his sketches and sometimes, his commissioned pieces.
I always remembered that "cheap trick" and found I, too, resonated with the wonders of the manila envelope. My creative process is very physical and I often beat the hell out of my work before it is finished. Although, I do some artwork on canvas, I prefer and primarily work on manila envelopes. They are cheap, sturdy, and come in a variety of sizes. They can be cut down to a desired size and respond well to both collage and wet media.
My second cheap trick is gesso. I love the stuff and go through it like water. I will buy the bucket o' gesso at my local art supply warehouse and use it for everything. You can create a gesso wash, thinning it with water and paint over magazine images, which can later be detailed and drawn in. You can use it to stamp images, mix paint colors, draw with it on a kabob skewer or nibus, splatter it, and so much more. I know some folks like to use name brands such as Golden and Liquitex, but I have found regular cheap generic gesso works just as well. Dick Blick carries a great brand .
My final cheap trick is your own hands. I guess I am the type of person, who likes to get down and dirty with my art. I use my hands for everything to include painting, glazing, application of glue, edging, smearing, smudging, etc... I ditch the paint brush and just use my fingers. I will even smear paint on my hands and use my hand print when creating background papers. Yes, I do go through a lot of hand soap, but I just can't help myself.
For other great "cheap tricks," please visit Michelle Ward's GPP Street Team blog
Pilar, thanks for joining in the crusade....love hearing your cheap tricks. My gesso preference is Pearl Student Grade, $4 per quart, can't beat that (unless you buy it by the gallon!) Thanks for telling us your history with envelopes....they do take a beating like another fave: file folders.
Posted by: michelle | May 28, 2007 at 06:15 AM
I loved reading your manilla envelope story! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Posted by: Maija | May 28, 2007 at 08:49 AM
oh so many wonderful things posted, since I visited last!! love the cheap tricks & all of your latest art is ooohh so kool!! love the pics of everyone.. you are so pretty, I haven't seen a photo of you before~
hope all is well!! xo!! Bella
Posted by: Izabella | May 28, 2007 at 09:38 AM
Great Cheap Tricks, love the story on the manilla envelopes. I'm also into using my hands, they are the cheapest and best tool by far, and into using gesso. In Australia we have a brand of Gesso (by Matisse) that is really thick and is excellent for adding texture to a background. Ux
Posted by: Ursula Clamer | May 28, 2007 at 11:52 PM
I loved reading about all of your Cheap Tricks. I've never used manila envelopes as a canvas before, so that's a trick I've got to try! I can't argue about using the hands for artwork...they're one of my basic tools and I use them ALL the time! Manicures and polished nails are definitely out for me!
Posted by: Altered Antiquity | May 29, 2007 at 03:59 PM
Good cheap tricks. I use recycled envelopes a lot.
Posted by: Crafty Green Poet | May 31, 2007 at 12:53 AM
Great cheap tricks! And I absolutely agree about using your hands...as my to-the-quick-nails, stained, painted, dry, bleeding-cuticle hands will prove, lol!
Posted by: carlene | May 31, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Pilar, love your envelope ideas! I will have to start saving them...I usually use cardboard as my backgrounds. Hey.....do you think I should finally open that huge bottle of Gesso that must be about 14 years old? The real question is....can I get it open! I want to try your ideas....gonna go grab the plyers!
Posted by: Penny Stuart | June 01, 2007 at 11:04 PM
Great idea, I love them envelopes either. ;)
Posted by: Nicole | June 02, 2007 at 03:54 AM