DIY Women’s Empowerment Sculpture
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Spray paint head. I used rose gold spray paint since the event colors were black, white, and rose gold.
2. Cut out images and words from magazines of women, along with messages about and to women.
Optional - I wanted a more uniform look, so instead of applying my original pieces to the head, I used a glue stick to glue the words and images to paper, then I photocopied them. Then I cut them out from the copy paper version to glue on. I think this may have also helped them be easier to work with for shaping to the head as some magazine papers are very thick.
3. Mix mod podge and a little water. Use a foam brush to coat both sides of the image or word. Apply to the head and brush over with thin layer of mod podge mixture until it sticks.
4. Once you cover as much of the head as possible, cover with a thin coat of mod podge. This time I used full strength mod podge with no dilution.
In honor of International Women’s Day this #makeitmonday I’m sharing one of my favorite projects yet. In February 2020, Tracie Jae from The Quiet Rebel hosted a women’s dialogue on race and culture. She needed centerpieces to capture what makes us unique, yet united as women and help set the tone for an evening of honest, grace-filled conversations.
I used messages and images of women and about women from historical and current magazines. I was thrilled with the result and thankfully, so was she! We raffled off the centerpieces during the event, but I couldn’t let go of them all. My lady still has a place of honor in my home, representing a special night and my hope for more important and healing conversations.
Even though these look complicated, they really weren’t! It was time-consuming to make 11 of them like I did, but would be very manageable in a weekend for 1-2 sculptures. I also think this would be a great activity to try with teenage girls or youth groups accompanied by dialogue around the messages we see in media about women, and how we form our identity. Come to think of it, perhaps I should this as an activity for groups once we get to meet in-person again? What do you think?
Follow the pictures for detailed instructions or view the video below for an overview.
Supplies:
Styrofoam wig form
mod podge (I used gloss, but any kind would work)
foam brush
scissors
magazines
toothpicks
rose gold spray paint
imitation gold leaf or gold tissue paper
clear spray paint
ribbon & flowers (optional)
blank paper, glue stick, and photo copier (optional)
5. Add gold leaf where you see the spray paint showing through or to highlight images or messages you’d like to highlight. I found it was easiest for this part to put some mod podge directly on the head, then use my finger to rub on the gold leaf. It is very delicate so when I tried to use the foam brush to apply it was a fail.
6. After adding the gold leaf, I sprayed clear spray paint to seal the entire sculpture.
Optional: I added ribbon and fresh flowers using straight pins for the event. Afterward, I removed the fresh flowers and kept the ribbon:)
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