Altered Art

It's all about finding an object that interests you such as a box or a tin or an ordinary notepad, and changing it artistically to make a pleasing and original work of art.

Recycling found objects and making them works of art is another way to try this technique and it appeals to many.

My own projects often wind up having a 3-d element or two to them. I like to find many items that can be used to create a collage effect.

Why Create Altered Art?

Reason 1: Once you get the idea of looking at things to see if they can be changed (in appearance or use), it almost becomes a way of life.

Reason 2: It's a way to be green and recycle many things that might be relegated to the bin if you weren't there with your artist' vision! I just found some sturdy little tray shapes in some packaging I received and automatically considered altering them for my craft desk, for instance.

Reason 3: It's inventive and creative, of course. Paper crafters use all sorts of mediums to alter found objects. Any craft medium is acceptable as long as it pleases you. For example, people use such things as

• Paints
  
• Inks
  
• Stamped images
  
• Doodling
  
• Scrapbooking art paper
  
• Ribbon or other fibres
  
• Chipboard shapes and letters
  
• Metal and fabric embellishments
  
• Rub ons
  
• Tags
• Other reclaimed objects such as beads and charms and wrapping paper
  
• Paper and fabric anythings - like decorative flowers or mesh materials

You can probably think of all sorts of other things you could use! Just go to your stash of paper craft supplies with your new Altering Artist's eyes and see if anything there inspires you.

Reason 4: You could make it a challenge to yourself not to buy anything new for a project, but to think about how you could use your current supplies to re-make something.

And the last reason I could think of? It's fun, of course!

How to Get Started

Often, people start by changing the look of a book, a box, a notepad or journal. One of the first things I ever altered was a set of metal brads.

Another alterable surface is a scrapbook album cover. Here I decorated the cover of a circle journal using metal brads, letter stickers, a paper flower, a metal clip, ribbon and paper. Oh and I doodled words around the main elements with a black fine-tipped felt pen.

You may also think of altering such things as:

• Old or scratched CDs/DVDs

• Matchboxes

• Picture frames, old window frames (maybe to make them into newly decorated picture frames?)

• Photos themselves - use manual techniques or digital ones

• Old post cards or greeting cards

• Buckets and tins and flower pots

• Mirrors

• Shoes, purses, clothing - alter them with beads or fabric paint perhaps

• Old Crockery and cutlery - broken crockery makes wonderful mosaics

• Tissue boxes

• Birdhouses

• Empty plastic chocolate boxes

It's a list that only ends when your own imagination runs out!

Craft stored usually stock many raw objects made from unfinished wood, chipboard and paper. Second hand shops are also a source of delight when you are looking for objects to recycle and re-use. You can even decorate plain cardboard craft containers to make them more special.

Why not plan a trip to your local craft shop or second hand store to see if an unfinished piece is calling out for you to recreate it with some altered art techniques?

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You Are Invited to Show Off Your Work!

If you have some altered art that you would like to share, please do tell us about it. It's fun to see other people's work and it gives all of us new ideas!

Have A Favourite Altered Art Piece?

Do you have a piece of altered art you have created? We'd love you to share it!

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

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