Kells Comes a Knocking-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I have spoken of my time in Dublin and Seeing the Book of Kells housed at Trinity College in Dublin, with its intricate embellishments and illuminations stunning to behold. To honor my time there I have a collection on our bedroom walls of images from the Book of Kells and Items I picked up while traveling. They are the inspiration for this artwork. I like how travel and art can knock on your heart's door of creativity.

Supplies:  GSLC Triptych Arch Top, Printed Images of Book of Kells Images and Script, Matte Gel Medium, Green Embossing Powders, Brown Acrylic Paint, Tea Grounds, Plastic Pallet, Pen, Heat Tool, Weldbond, Sharpie  Metallic Sapphire Marker, Decorative Cut Scissors, Scraps of Decorative Papers and Vintage Script, Used Tea Bags, Clamps, Clear Embossing Powder, Emboss it Dabber, Scraps of Flannel Shirt, Two Sided Tape, Awl, Micro Screws, Screwdriver

1.  Gather Supplies.

2.  Print Images and Script From Book of Kells.

3.  Make a Mixture of Tea Grounds, Green Embossing Powders, Brown Acrylic Paint and Matte Gel Medium.

    

4.  Spread on Front Portion of GSLC Triptych Frames. Use Heat Tool to Cure Embossing Powders.

5.  Use a Pen to Trace Book of Kells Images and Script.

6.  Cut Out and Use Weldbond to Adhere Images to GSLC Triptych Portions.

                    

7.  Edge Images and Script with Sharpie  Metallic Sapphire Marker Making Sure It Will Show Once Front Frames are Added.

8.  If Too Much Blue is Showing Add Strips of Decorative Paper.

9.  Randomly Add Bits of Used Tea Bags to Both Sides of GSLC Triptych Frames Using Matte Gel Medium.

   

10.                Add Other Strips of Vintage Script to Both Sides of GSLC Triptych Frames Using Matte Gel Medium.

11.                Use Weldbond and Clamps to Attach Front Frames to GSLC Triptych Backs.

   

12.                Once Dry Use Emboss it Dabber to add Clear Embossing Powder to Book of Kells Images. Cure with a Heat Tool.

13.                Use Strips of Old Flannel Shirt to Make "Hinges" to Attach GSLC Arch Top Triptych Together.                 

14.                Attach Hinges with Micro Screws and a Screwdriver.

 

Some Final Thoughts.

In the Animated Movie "The Secret of Kells" A young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.

Some Quotes:

I have lived through many ages, through the eyes of salmon, deer, and wolf. I have seen the Northmen invading Ireland, destroying all in search of gold. I've seen suffering in the darkness. Yet I have seen beauty thrive in the most fragile of places. I have seen the book. The book that turned darkness into light.

You can't find out everything from books, I think I read that once.

Quotes from Book of Kells:

"We are not Allowed Miracles." she told John. "We traded them in for technology some years ago and now we're stuck with finding out how things work."

"What was she after all, except the memory of all she had done, telling her the sort of person she was and guiding her next act consistently? Without that, what was left but blind chance and leaves blown meaninglessly through the trees."

Irish Wisdom:

Old Fools should learn to Keep Quiet...Unless Young Fools want to Listen.

Sometimes one day changes everything; sometimes years change nothing.

May your day be touched by a bit of Irish luck, brightened by a song in your heart and warmed by the smiles of the people you love.

Grant me a sense of humor, Lord, the saving grace to see a joke, to win some happiness from life, and pass it on to other folks.

Here's to a fellow who smiles when life runs along like a song. And here's to the lad who can smile when everything goes dead wrong.