Monday, May 14, 2018

My Weekend Getaway - Part 1

Twice a year I get together with some girlfriends and we get artsy! This past winter has been a tough one for many of us and this time around many of us didn't get as much done as in previous getaways - but that is okay - we all left feeling good and rested.

I had ONE really productive day and the others were little bits here and there, but more just resting the brain and taking time for friends.

Here is what I worked on:


Foo Fighters Canvas

I started off working a trial piece my some asked for - a Foo Fighters canvas painted by me for his birthday (which was in February, oops).  

I did the trial version on an 11x14" canvas. I painted the base in a mix of DecoArt Media paints in Titan Buff, Bone Black, Titanium White and Medium Grey Value 6 Fluid Acrylics.  The brunt of the images on the piece is using layered image transfers.  I wanted a worn look and this was the best way I knew how to get the look fast.

The base are lyrics from a few of his favorite songs, then I added the Foo Fighters logo then the name in print.  As you can see I made sure I allowed for extra peeling as I did not want a perfect transfer, and where I did get it too good, I peeled or rubbed it off (even tore it).


Once it was totally dry, I went over it with paint to brighten up and cover up where I wanted imperfections.

This is how it stands now -he is more than happy with it ans says he'll take it as is - me being who I am, says nope...have to wait for the real piece!  Next one will be done on a 16x40" Gallery Wrapped Canvas...eek).




 I had signed up for this class thinking I would have time to do it 'live' - ya, nope! So I grabbed a few of my paper stashes and thought I would create the base of the journal while at my getaway.  Typical me, I go off on my own - not really following the videos (heck, haven't even watched most of them), but thought I would use this opportunity to use a bunch of my found papers along with papers from my stash of Flow magazines & books!

I simply gutted the book, and used the shell as my cover and added homemade signatures that were created with a boat load of  papers as mentioned above.  I used the five stitch binding to attach them to my cover.  As I was digging through my stash, I came across the packing tape from an order from Roben-Marie's shop a year or so ago and thought it was a perfect addition to the spine!





A peak at the papers in the signatures.... 





A perfect finishing touch!  A library pocket and of course had to add the date stamp.  It is an homage to my Mom who was a Librarian.  Even though she would no doubt give me a hard time for destroying a book, she would appreciate the creativity behind it! 




Collage Panel

Working on one of my homemade wood panels (9x12"), I pieced and placed out my design first to see if I liked it. If you can imagine, it all started with the window envelope and I designed it from there.  
The brunt of the vintage papers are ones I have gotten through SawatSKY's CREATIONS  (aside from the envelope of course).  She is favorite of mine to shop from as she is a Canadian based store and love to support a fellow Canadian!


One thing I do to extend my vintage finds is to scan some of my favorites.  I use them in a variety of different ways - in this piece, I used them on sticker sheets (check out the round label)!

TIP:  I take a photo of the layout so I have a reference point to reassemble!


I have taken so many classes over the years and learnt so much. For me the biggest thing was to TRY something DIFFERENT!  I got this idea a few years ago - to mix acrylic paint with Dorland's Wax to get a cold wax/encaustic look to a piece of  art, why not? Many artists and manufactures will tell you water and oil don't mix - I say Bu!!sh....

The whole idea with art, especially your own - is to just try, worst case scenario is it doesn't work...best - it does! When you create something that works and looks amazing, it is such a great feeling.  I truly love this technique and the look is so luscious and looks and feels like Italian plastered walls!

As I mix the DecoArt Media Titan Buff paint to the wax with my palette knife, I work it just until it is blended. 


I apply it to the board liberally and make sure I get it into all the nooks and crannies of the piece. The top right corner of this board has a torn piece of packing paper with all the wax pushed in to the edges and crinkles.


I adhere full sheets using collage medium on the reverse side of the paper only - and simply burnish down with my hand and/or brayer.


with each layer, I apply more of the wax mixture.  I am not overly concerned with bubbles and creases as they often dissipate as the piece dries or I work them into the final look. 


You can see where I really work the wax into each layer, edge and crease.  This has to dry naturally of course since if you heat wax....it melts; which at some point is a pretty cool effect!


I've already started to add another layer of colored wax here - gray. I just keep applying and scraping and rubbing in as I go along with each layer of paper added. 




The one thing I make sure along the way is to keep the window clean so I can see the ledger beneath. I use a baby wipe to do this as well as clean up other areas that have gotten too heavy.



Here are a few close up shots...



You can see I have carried the papers over the edge of the board as well.  I also continued the wax mixes on the edges too.






 







You can see how the colors change as the piece dries. 


Well, that is good for today, I'll have another one Wednesday for you and at the end of the week there is a huge surprise...so stay tuned!

In the meantime, you can usually find me more often over on Instagram or one of my Facebook Pages W2 Scrapbooking Mixed Media & Art Studio (only until end of 2018 then it will be removed) or the newer W2 Studio Arts (be sure to like & follow).

Don't forget to check out the online store - there are loads of great deals to be had with this being the last year - stock is moving fast! Be sure to use the coupon codes, they can be found on the home page.

until next time...


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