Untitled

This is what I call a torn-transparency piece. The process is extremely tedious and I have no idea why I continue to make these and put myself through this. This took me about a month to complete. So here’s the process:

1. Sketch your composition

2.Transfer your composition to a transparency sheet

3.Paint (I used watercolor) gradations of the colors that will be used in your piece

4.Attach the transparency sheet to a fitting sheet of paper by only taping one side so you can lift the transparency

5. Now, comes the miserable part… individually tear the pieces of colored paper and glue them to the paper behind the transparency in its proper place.

6.Once finished, you may be so sick of seeing this image that you just hide it away for awhile like I do. But I suggest you get it matted and show it off:)

This piece is titled “Bittersweet.” I actually made this for a guy I had been dating for years as a goodbye present when he was moving away. (I liked it so much that I got a little selfish and kept it for myself.) It has a letter written by him in the background. The two people walking through a field symbolizes us and how we always would go for walks. This walk in particular was when he told me he was moving. Walking into the letter is showing how this moment was bittersweet. Although he was moving, our relationship had never been better. Distance was not supposed to change this.

Lets just fast forward and say I am glad that I kept this for myself. At the Art Walk Central I won the judges award youth category, which was a $1,000 prize. I also took second place illustration at the NWMC regional high school art show with “Bittersweet.”

I hope you all appreciate the meticulous work put into this as much as I do! Despite all the hard work, it is very rewarding. Try making one yourself!

~Meghan