Found object art can be made using almost anything, even plastic toy turtles. I recently made this art card using some turtles I found at the Dollar store. This would be a fun project for older children. Here is a list of items I used.
3 inch x 5 inch card, I used a children’s flash card. (I can buy a whole set for a quarter at my local second hand store).
Sandpaper
rag
white tacky glue
E 6000 adhesive (optional)
acrylic paints, green, yellow, white
2 small plastic turtles
2 paint brushes, regular and a liner
black permanent marker (optional)
grass ( I got mine from the yard)
pair of scissors
5 small flowers, silk or paper
sentiment, printed on paper
To start making your found object art, scuff up the two turtles with the sandpaper and wipe off the dust. Then paint them. As you can see in the photo, I used yellow and green on both turtles but switched the colors. Set aside to dry. You may need to add another coat or two of paint to get the coverage you need. I used a black permanent marker to color the eyes.
Now sand both sides of the art card. Paint the back side with acrylic paint and write your name on it if you like. I used off white paint, and a black permanent marker to write, “Lorene Troyer, assemblage art, www.LoreneTroyer.com.”
Now snip up some grass by holding some in one hand and cutting it into little pieces with the scissors. Put a layer of tacky glue on the front of your card. Set it in a container or on a piece of paper and pour the grass cuttings on it. (Who knew that even grass clippings could be recycled as found object art?)
After the glue dries, paint your grassy background with the green paint. A bigger, rather scruffy paint brush works well. I like to lightly dab it on rather than paint, to help keep the grass in place.
Paint your flowers yellow. After they dry, put a dab of white paint in the center with the end of your paint brush.
Make a border for your found object art card by going around the outside with yellow paint using the liner brush. Add white dots by using the other end of your your brush.
After everything’s dry, glue your turtles in place. I used tacky glue but if you want a more permanent adhesive, you can use E 6000. Follow the directions on the package. (Don’t use this if kids are helping with the project).
Attach your sentiment, and the flowers as shown.
This is a very simple, but fun found object art project. To make art cards, you can use any animal or item that’s flatter in nature. I like to find things at thrift shops, in my kids’ toy box, in the toy section of the dollar store, at flea markets and garage sales.
When looking for things to use in your found object art, try to not look at the obvious, but imagine what you could create with it if you did some modifications- painting, cutting off or adding parts, or covering up things you don’t like about it.