Cutting

These are some of the cut images taken from the first flick-through of SCHMOE's muscle mag stockpile today, mostly from the years 2002 -2006 in FLEX and MD. The adverts prove to be the best source for material. MD is a thick bible chocker with adverts and technical info whereas you can read FLEX cover to cover in a couple of sittings. Ideally it would have been handy to photocopy the pages and leave the magazines intact but despite the cost that process would have been even more painstaking. Being a cutter ain't too bad though with a bit of music on. I wouldn't even call it boring. The only other cutter I know of whose work is very similar compares the activity to knitting. She just so happens to have sold ceramics internationally so a mighty holla from me for common interests alike across continents right there. Search Kayleigh Walmsey on Redbubble.com if interested.

In contrast to Photoshop, it beats sitting in front of a screen all the time. One can cut until the cows come home though; the challenging part is rearranging the jigsaw within the tight confines of restricting A4 borders. A single image glued in the wrong place can bollocks the picture. ATD committed the biggest sin of all by not only gluing but laminating early originals, but now uses blu-tack, because it isn't so final and the images can be recycled over and over once scanned. It does take considerably longer and is a lot more fidgety though. That's why WOL needs premises and a small workforce of fit female foreigners (says Gus Kidney). Dream on mucka!

TIPS:

1. Use a cutting board.

2. Blunted blades will pull and drag the paper. Change them.

3. The width of the blade edge pressed down is enough to neaten up a jagged edge.

4. Trying to be perfect around fingers and other delicate areas often results in rips and tears.

5. If using glue provide yourself with a disposable gluing surface. A newspaper is good. Start at one end and as you go along the newspaper will become stuck together.

Music of the day: Albania and Turkey in Eurovision song contest 2010, Inspector Morse theme tune, and Eminem's Same Song and Dance.

ART TILL DEATH COLLAGES

see it...cut it...stick it