Theft of innocence
A fun class with artist Christopher Staples taught me how to transform pages from National Geographic magazine to the most wonderful marbled and manipulated papers using a natural cleaner and degreaser called CitraSolv. This product not only dissolves chewing gum, lipstick, and adhesives, it also breaks down the ink on the pages of National Geographic without damaging the paper. The packaging says it’s made from clear liquid from the peel of an orange, essential oils and biodegradable cleaning agents derived from coconut. It’s also vegan. I guess that’s in case you want to drink it.
No, I thought not.
After we created some of the most fabulous papers I’ve ever seen we went to the 2nd step which was to then take the pages we created and use them to make a collage.
The images that came out of the manipulation using the CitraSolv were absolutely incredible. You take the product and either spray it on the pages using a spray bottle, or paint the pages using a brush. You can then add some Saran wrap to get some really amazing effects. Close the magazine, let the pages dry and voila! You’re in business with some of the prettiest papers ever.
This collage just emerged by itself. I have never blogged nor have I made any art having to do with 9/11, but this one just happened.
My sister took the class with me. Here is her collage:
If you want to try this here are my suggestions:
Use CitraSolv in a ventilated area or outside if possible. Use rubber gloves if you don’t want to get ink on your hands, but if you do get in on your hands, you can use the CitraSolv to get it right off!
As a side note: Do not get a manicure the day before you decide to try these techniques. (Like I did.)
61 comments
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May 16, 2010 at 10:10 pm
carrington
this is awesome.so cool-I LOVE it!!!! I am jealous..your work is really wonderful.
May 17, 2010 at 3:13 pm
CarolKing
Thank you Carrington, it was so exciting to see the magazine pages change to these beautifully colored papers.
May 16, 2010 at 10:52 pm
lesliepaints
This is soooooo cool! When you brush or spray it on the pages, you can close the book to let it dry without worrying about the pages sticking together?…or is that just the ones you wrinkle the saran wrap on? Did you paint into these collages? Both your sister’s and your collages are gorgeous! Love them! Thank-you for the info, Carol!
May 17, 2010 at 3:19 pm
CarolKing
You can spray or brush the pages you select in the magazine. Once wet with the product you can either just leave that page OR put down some saran wrap. On the pages that you just wet and close you will sometimes get an image transfer from the page across from it. I will try to take some good photos of some of my other pages so you can see what happens to the pages.
I painted on top of my papers in a few places, some people painted also, some didn’t. I also used a circle punch to punch out the circle shapes.
I think you would enjoy it. And you have a big outside space to use.
May 17, 2010 at 10:00 pm
lesliepaints
Yes. I definitely want to try this, especially if it can be painted into. Something new for Watercolor Plus class if I can manage to figure it out. Thank you so much!
May 16, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Kung
Wow! These look GREAT!!!
May 17, 2010 at 3:20 pm
CarolKing
thanks Kung. Be on the lookout for more CitraSolv collages on this blog.
May 17, 2010 at 5:21 am
Stephen
I love your collage Carol, and your sister’s – isn’t it amazing what turns up when we create freely. Those blues and greens are wonderful.
May 17, 2010 at 3:21 pm
CarolKing
It was amazing to see how the pages turned out and then how they were transformed into wonderful collages!
May 17, 2010 at 8:11 am
Melissa
Carol,
Just found your blog post about the workshop. Love your title:) – very clever. Thanks for sharing the day with your followers. I am just sorry that I didn’t get to see both of your finished collage pieces yesterday – they are absolutely fantastic!
If you don’t mind, I would like to share them with our Facebook fans (or likers?) I can post a link to your blog page there. My email address is above.
Thanks again for being a part of yesterday’s workshop. We couldn’t have had a nicer day for it!
May 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm
CarolKing
Would love it if you shared this post with your facebook followers. And thanks for the CitraSolv. I can’t tell you how many people already have expressed an interest in trying this technique.
As I said, I will be doing more CitraSolv collages!
May 17, 2010 at 8:44 am
Beth Parker
I’m with Leslie…. lots of questions. 🙂
These collages are wonderful!! Both you and your sis did some beautiful work! Tell us more!
May 17, 2010 at 3:24 pm
CarolKing
Hi Beth, Go get yourself some CitraSolv and a few NG mags and I’ll walk you through it. So much fun. Some of the pages looked like they were painted by Gustav Klimt!
May 17, 2010 at 10:47 am
Bonnie Luria
Knowing where you were on 9/11, the moment this page opened, I thought you did a collage of that day, with intention and purpose.
It just slayed me reading how it just appeared is if some unconscious imprint came out.
These are amazing, both yours and Alice’s. Looks like it was a fun project too, and in the meantime, while the cleanser is out…….ooh look, that needs wiping, and that rubbery label never came off the new baking pan.
I saw the ad in American Artist Magazine for Citra-Solve ( which, BTW, I’ve been using here for years, who knew ?) and thought it was worth a go.
You’ve nudged me into making that a reality.
May 17, 2010 at 3:27 pm
CarolKing
Bonnie, I remember that lovely still life collage you did a while back using pages from magazines and I thought you could do some of these pages to make another one.
You are right about how the image came to be. When I was doing it, I thought this is a 9/11 piece, but didn’t want to go there. The piece went there itself.
May 17, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Susan L Thompson
This is fantastic…now to find some National geographic. I have work with citrasolv to do a few card. Not sure how you got all this dimenson unless maybe you took something of interest from each page….I am willing to experiment. Thanks.
May 17, 2010 at 3:29 pm
CarolKing
Hi Susan, the dimension in the pages just happens. Experiment and see what happens. I have a feeling you will have many “happy accidents”.
May 17, 2010 at 4:37 pm
evonnesmulders
I love this!!!
I am having a hard time finding Citra-Solv in Canada. (Alberta)
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks for the great blog!!!
May 17, 2010 at 4:51 pm
CarolKing
Evonne, thanks for your comment. There’s a link to the CitraSolv website on the blog posting. I will also try to find out if you can order it on line.
May 17, 2010 at 4:57 pm
napabelle
This is beautiful carol ! I love the colors ! What fun !
May 18, 2010 at 3:30 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Isabelle, I think you and Susan should try this. You are great with collages.
May 17, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Artswebshow
these are some really cool effects.
I might get some
May 18, 2010 at 3:42 pm
CarolKing
Hey Kokot, I think you would enjoy it.
May 17, 2010 at 9:13 pm
w1kkp
Oh Oh Oh…this is scary fabulous. Exciting is the right word. To see the result from your unconscious and to be introduced to a solvent that breaks down but does not destroy?
The gift that keeps on giving…trying something new. Thank you. No, I really mean it. Thank you.
May 18, 2010 at 3:43 pm
CarolKing
Trying something new is always exciting. (and sometimes scary!)
May 17, 2010 at 9:44 pm
Deirdre
Both of your pieces came out so well. I was also thrilled with the class and can”t wait for the time to make some more pages. I posted some of my pages and yesterday’s collage on my blog earlier today.
I read on another blog about another way to glue the pages down. If you use gloss medium on your base and the back of your cut papers – wait for them to dry and then iron them to join the 2 gel mediums. Nice and smooth and no wrinkles.
Looking forward to seeing more of your work.
: -D eirdre
May 18, 2010 at 3:46 pm
CarolKing
Hi Deirdre, thanks for the info on gluing the pages down. when I got home I used some “yes” glue and that seemed to work well.
I saw your collage and papers samples on your blog. They came out really well!
May 18, 2010 at 7:01 am
jimmyboi2
Soooo beautiful, and different! Dreamy… I love the effects. Will we soon have a wall of collages to accompany our watercolors ?!?!?!
Great work, and so good to see you creating !
xoxoxo
PS Wonder how the CitraSolv would work on the maps– different base, I guess; they probably wouldn’t “bleed.”
May 18, 2010 at 3:46 pm
CarolKing
yes, soon you can have a wall of collages to add to your Carol King wall of watercolor!
May 18, 2010 at 11:11 am
Peggy
I LOVE your and your sister’s collages. And, as always, I enjoy hearing about your process and how you create! Now this CitraSolv? It also sounds very similar to those ingredients used in combination to remove pet odors and stains, yes??!?!
May 18, 2010 at 3:47 pm
CarolKing
I do believe it can be used for Pet stains. (Of course Alvin would NEVER create a stain!)
May 18, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Sioux
In step 2, when you constructed your collage, what kind of glue was used?
May 18, 2010 at 3:48 pm
CarolKing
We used a UHU glue stick in class which seemed to work well for most people. Some of the other people in the class also suggested using matte medium or “YES” glue.
May 18, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Sioux
Thanks for the info. I had tried this technique at a workshop over the weekend, before I saw your blog, with great success. It sure is amazing!
May 20, 2010 at 9:09 am
Carol King
would love to see some of the things you came up with.
May 18, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Cathyann Burgess
A moving piece, Carol. Beautifully constructed.
Citrasolv is wonderful… I use it for cleaning brushes…but now I have to try collage with it…..how inventive!
I hear it is good for paint stains on clothes too…
May 20, 2010 at 9:10 am
Carol King
Thanks Cathyann, I had never heard of it until the workshop. I created beautiful paper, a collage and then used it to get the ink off my t-shirt when I got home!
May 19, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Claudia
Both collages are terrific! I’d love to take the class. Is it open to those of us with no talent whatsoever???
May 20, 2010 at 9:11 am
Carol King
NO TALENT WHATSOEVER!!! Excuse me Ms. famous writer…… If Christopher has another class using Citra Solv we will let you know.
thanks for your comment.
May 19, 2010 at 8:53 pm
jaybastian
What a cool idea! I love your compositions. They are interesting and provocative.
May 20, 2010 at 9:12 am
Carol King
Thanks Jay. I’m also still working on my crest shadows and waiting for secret #2.
May 20, 2010 at 8:47 am
asmalltowndad
This is so Cool! Because of never taken classes all this stuff is new to me and it’s exciting to see. Can’t wait to see more.
May 20, 2010 at 9:12 am
Carol King
I’m sure there’ll be more down the road. Thank you Ryan.
May 28, 2010 at 9:56 am
Jack Simonetta
OK, I have GOT to try this! Incredible! Thanks for sharing.
May 30, 2010 at 8:04 pm
CarolKing
Jack, I think you will really enjoy making paper and collages with this process.
May 30, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Sonya Chasey
Hi Carol
You’ve made a very atmospheric image with this technique & if you ask me, a much more creative , productive use of time than using the product for cleaning!
June 3, 2010 at 12:00 pm
CarolKing
Thanks Sonya, I agree, I would rather use Citra Solv for art instead of cleaning!
June 3, 2010 at 9:15 am
echostains
I have got to get some of this CitraSolv Carol! There’s an altered book which I keep discovering and losing – still not finished after about 5 years now! This stuff could reinspire me! I really like the collage too! You have a lovely blog Carol:)
June 3, 2010 at 12:01 pm
CarolKing
yes, try it! I have to post more of my fabulous papers I got from that day. You will be amazed!
June 5, 2010 at 10:06 am
ArunRaj
amazing! CitraSol … could we actually use it to recycle the natgeo paper? I loved your sister’s collage! yours was kewl too!
June 5, 2010 at 12:12 pm
CarolKing
I think you will be amazed when you use it on the NatGeo color photo pages. Thanks for you comment.
June 5, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Sonu
where do i get to buy this CitraSol. Is it available online?
June 5, 2010 at 3:05 pm
CarolKing
Hi Sonu, In the US, you can find out where to get it here: http://www.citra-solv.com/prodfinder.shtml. Or you can email the company on their website and find out where it’s available outside the U.S. which is where I think you are.
http://www.citra-solv.com
June 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Sonu
thanks a lot Carol! Yeah im outside the US. i will check it out. 🙂 keep up the amazing work. and what do u do btw?
September 21, 2010 at 9:31 am
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Wow! This is really awesome. You’re so creative. Great job!
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