Congratulations to our Mel Bushner, our collage artist laureate / creator of our famous Love The House You’re In collages: She created a new work for CitraSolv’s “Freedom of Expression” contest — and won Grand Prize. I love collage, so know about CitraSolv — it’s a cleaner that, in its concentrated form, can be used to create wonderful effects on substrates (old National Geographics, in particular, I was told.) The contest asked artists to create an original work of art using Citra Solv that conveyed their pride, optimism and hope for our country. Here is Mel wrote about her work, submitted with her winning entry:
When we were in Hawaii two years ago, we visited the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. It was an incredibly moving experience, more moving than I imagined it would be. My husband had taken a photo of part of the memorial with the flag showing and I chose to render it in Citra Solv collage because I think it embodies the best of our country. Yes, it’s a solemn place (and reminder) but it also serves as hope that Americans care about our country and will defend it, even if that means the ultimate sacrifice.
Mel – beautiful, as usual. Gosh, I’d love to see this in person some day. Copies of Mel’s work will be sent to America Supports You, the U.S. Department of Defense’s initiative for soldiers.
Link love:
- CitraSolv’s Artist Site
- Mel’s blog: Much Ado About Stuff
- Mel’s other blog: Ephemeraology
- Mel’s Etsy Shop
RetroSandie says
Congrats Mel!!! Fine job and wonderful tribute – kudos to YOU! 🙂
midmodms says
Oh my beautiful! We used CitraSolv in a print making class I had. You can use it to transfer an image from a photocopy onto print making or water color papers. This is a new use for it I wasn’t familiar with. Have to try it with my own collages (I have lots of old National Geographics, too).
Eartha says
Very cool! Congratulations, Mel on the grand prize win! : )
Annie B. says
Way to go, Mel! What a great collage and what a great tribute to our armed forces. Congratulations on your win….Grand Prize – quite an honor, and well deserved.
I had no clue about the wonders of Citra Solv. Thanks for the enlightenment. I can see lots of good clean fun in my future.
Mel says
Gosh, Pam! Thank you so much! It was quite an honor, to be sure. And I meant every word I wrote about our great country AND our brave service men and women overseas AND on the homefront. Kudos to all of you! 😀