Assemblage art: Making art out of natural materials

Making art out of natural materials and found objects can be a fun and creative way to express oneself and create something unique. This type of art often referred to as "found object art" or "assemblage art," involves using everyday objects or materials from nature to create a piece of art. 

To create art out of natural materials and found objects, you can gather materials from your environment and then arrange them in a visually appealing way. You can also incorporate other artistic elements like color, texture, and form to create a cohesive piece. Your materials will depend on what is available to you and your personal preferences.

Many different types of natural materials and found objects can be used to create art. Some examples of natural materials that can be used in art include leaves, twigs, rocks, and shells. These materials can be used as is or manipulated, or combined with other materials to create a desired effect. Found objects that can be used in art might include things like bottle caps, buttons, or old keys. These objects can be incorporated into art pieces as is, or they can be repurposed or altered to fit the desired aesthetic. 

The possibilities are endless, and the materials and found objects you use will depend on your personal preferences and the desired outcome of your art piece.

Using natural materials can be fun.

Making art out of natural materials and found objects can be a fun and creative way to express oneself. This type of art, which is often referred to as "assemblage art," involves using everyday objects or materials from nature to create a piece of art. To create a cohesive piece, make art from natural materials and found objects and incorporate other artistic elements like color, texture, and form.

Many artists are known for creating assemblage art, which involves using everyday objects or materials from nature to create a piece of art. 

Popular or famous artists who have created assemblage art.

Marcel Duchamp

Marcel Duchamp was a French artist considered one of the pioneers of assemblage art. He is known for using found objects in his art, including his famous work "Fountain," a urinal that he signed and exhibited as a work of art. 

Duchamp's use of found objects and readymades, as he called them, challenged the traditional understanding of what could be considered art and helped to pave the way for the development of conceptual art. 

Joseph Cornell

Joseph Cornell was an American artist known for his intricate and highly detailed assemblage boxes. He used found objects and natural materials to create his boxes, which often contained hidden meanings and references to art, literature, and science. 

Cornell's boxes were known for their surreal, dreamlike quality and were highly sought after by collectors. He was a master of assemblage art, and his work inspires young artists to this day.

Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg was an American artist who is known for his use of found objects in his art. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Pop Art movement and is known for his combined paintings, which are paintings that incorporate found objects and materials into the canvas. 

Rauschenberg's combines were a key precursor to conceptual art development and helped challenge traditional notions of what could be considered art. His work has had a lasting influence on the art world.

Louise Nevelson

Louise Nevelson was an American artist known for her large-scale assemblage sculptures. She used found objects and natural materials to create her sculptures, which often had a strong sense of mystery and surrealism. 

Nevelson's sculptures were known for their sense of drama and were highly sought after by collectors. She was a master of assemblage art, and her work continues to be widely admired.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish artist known for contributing to the Cubist movement. He is also known for using found objects in his art, including his famous work "Guitar," which is a still life composed of a guitar made of cardboard and newspaper. 

Picasso was a pioneer in using found objects in art, and his work has had a lasting influence on the art world. He is considered one of the most important and influential artists of the 20th century, and his work continues to be widely admired and studied.

Have patience when trying to find your own unique art or art form style. It's a process that takes time and requires a lot of practice and experimentation. Be open to learning from others and trying new things. Don't be afraid to take risks and make mistakes, as this is often how we learn and grow as artists.

Remember that everyone's journey is different, and there is no one "right" way to find your own unique style. Just keep practicing, stay true to your own vision and interests, and eventually, your style will emerge naturally. As it did the above artist.

Works of art that were 100% created from natural materials

Many examples of works of art were created entirely from natural materials. Here are a few examples:

Land art 

Land art, also known as earthworks, is a form of art that uses the natural landscape as its canvas. These artworks are often large in scale and may be temporary or permanent. They can be created using various materials, including earth, rocks, plants, and water. Land art often involves manipulating the land, such as digging trenches or creating mounds.

"Spiral Jetty" by Robert Smithson is a famous example of land art. It is a 1,500-foot-long, 15-foot-wide spiral-shaped jetty made of mud, salt crystals, and basalt rock located in the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

"The Lightning Field" by Walter De Maria is another well-known example of land art. It consists of 400 stainless steel poles arranged in a grid pattern over one mile by one kilometer in the New Mexico desert.

"The Mother of all Battles" by Agnes Denes is a land art piece created in 1982. It consists of a pyramid of 2,500 cubic yards of soil excavated from a landfill and transported to a site in Lower Manhattan.

These are just a few examples of the many interesting and innovative works of land art that have been created over the years.

Sculptures made from found objects

Some artists create sculptures using found objects from the natural world, such as twigs, leaves, rocks, and shells. This type of sculpture is often referred to as a "found object" or "assemblage" sculpture.

Andy Goldsworthy is a well-known artist who creates sculptures using materials found in the environment. Goldsworthy's sculptures are often temporary, as they are made using natural materials that will eventually decompose or change over time. His sculptures often explore the relationship between humans and nature, and he has created a wide range of works using materials such as icicles, leaves, stones, and twigs.

Other artists who have created sculptures using found objects include Joseph Cornell, Marcel Duchamp, and Pablo Picasso. These artists used a variety of found objects, such as everyday household items and discarded industrial materials, to create their sculptures.

Found object sculpture can be an exciting and creative way to create art, as it allows the artist to work with materials that already exist in the world and transform them into something new and unique.

Natural dye art

Natural dyes are made from plants, fruits, vegetables, and other natural materials, rather than synthetic chemicals. Natural dyes have been used for centuries to color fabrics, textiles, and other materials.

Indigo dye is a well-known example of a natural dye. It is made from the indigo plant and has been used for centuries to create beautiful blue fabrics and textiles. Indigo dye was originally used in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, India, and China, and it remains popular today.

Other examples of natural dyes include madder, which is made from the roots of the madder plant and produces a range of red and pink shades; woad, which is made from the leaves of the woad plant and has a blue color; and cochineal, which is made from the crushed bodies of cochineal insects and has a deep red color.

Natural dyes can be used to create a wide range of artworks, including fabrics, textiles, paintings, and other types of visual art. Some artists use natural dyes to create artworks inspired by traditional dyeing techniques, while others use them in more experimental and innovative ways.

Bamboo sculpture

Bamboo is a strong and flexible material that can create a wide range of intricate sculptures. It has been used for centuries in Asia to create everything from simple household items to elaborate works of art.

Chinese artist Li Wei is a well-known bamboo sculptor who creates elaborate bamboo sculptures that are both aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. His sculptures often feature intricate details and patterns, and he uses various techniques to shape and bend the bamboo into the desired forms.

Other artists using bamboo to create sculptures include Isamu Noguchi, who created a series of bamboo sculptures in the 1950s, and Ai Weiwei, who has used bamboo in several of his installations and sculptures.

Bamboo sculpture can be a very rewarding and challenging art form, as it requires a strong understanding of the material and a high level of craftsmanship. The end result, however, can be truly stunning and unique.

Sand Art

Sand art is a form in which intricate designs are created using colored sand. Sand art can take many forms, including paintings, sculptures, and mandalas.

Sand paintings are created by laying down layers of colored sand to form a picture or design. Sand paintings can be small and detailed or large and dramatic. Some sand paintings are created on flat surfaces, while others are created in three-dimensional, sculptural forms.

Sand sculptures are three-dimensional works of art created by shaping and sculpting sand into a particular form. Sand sculptures can range in size from small figurines to large, complex works of art.

Sand mandalas are a type of sand painting created by Tibetan Buddhists as part of their spiritual practice. Sand mandalas are intricate geometric designs that are made using colored sand. They are often created over several days and intended to represent the impermanence of all things.

Sand art can be a very rewarding and challenging art form, as it requires strong attention to detail and a high level of craftsmanship. The end result, however, can be truly beautiful and mesmerizing.

In Conclusion

Even if you're a beginner artist, you can start by using only natural or raw materials. Many artists choose to work with natural or raw materials because they are readily available, often free, and have a unique and authentic quality. Using natural or raw materials can also be a way to connect with nature and the environment in a more meaningful way.

Many different natural or raw materials can be used to create art, including earth, rocks, plants, water, sand, and found objects. These materials can be used to create a wide range of artworks, including land art, sculptures, natural dye art, bamboo sculpture, and sand art, to name a few.

To become a beginner artist using natural or raw materials, you must familiarize yourself with the materials and techniques used to work with them. This may involve researching different artists who use natural or raw materials in their work, experimenting with different techniques and approaches, and regularly practicing to develop your skills. Be open to learning and trying new things, and be patient as you develop your unique style and approach to working with natural or raw materials.