This is one of my first papier mache projects. I decided to create my last initial, and I wanted it to stand alone when finished. My life's philosophy has always incorporated the idea that life can change in a moment. There would be no real rhyme or reason to a lot that happens in a lifetime.
Also, you can never predict how the rough passages will come out. You can't foretell when it's going to settle down and experience smooth sailing. So, yes, life is a puzzle indeed.
I am also a puzzle person. I like to work the jigsaw puzzles, especially in the winter when it's too nasty to get out in the weather. When I started this project, this was all swirling around in my head. Going through a closet I realized I had a couple of puzzles with missing pieces. So I pulled one of them, and rummaged through the box to look for the ones I wanted to incorporate into the finished work.
Can you tell that one side (the top one) has a pretty smooth finish? The other I pushed the pieces into the papier mache mess so there is a jagged finish. While working up the pulp I found an old container of a child's watercolor set. I started mixing in colors into the pulp, using browns and oranges because they matched some of the background colors of the puzzle pieces.
The pulp just slurped up that color and absorbed it quickly. I wound up going back to the store and getting a few more watercolor sets, going through those colors in no time. After completing the piece, I went back several times and repainted the watercolors until I was satisfied. After a few coats of polyethylene I declared it done, a ten inch piece of special memories.
I did this piece a long time ago, but still find pleasure in having it on a bookshelf. Do you have a special work of art you created for your own pleasure that has stood the test of time, at least in your own mind? Love to have you share.
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