Bird Crèche-A Peek-A-Boo-Project

As you know from previous posts, I am a lover of birds and nature. One of my favorite artist who does bird paintings is Charles Harper, I have several of his artbooks. I also collect Lefton Bird planters.  I am continuing with my Crèche Theme and this time making one inspired by these things, enjoy!

upplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Starburst-Coming Soon, Original Collage Artwork, Acrylic Paints in Blue and Green Hues, Iron Oxide,  Metal Clips, Matte Varnish Gel Medium, Decorative Napkin of your Choosing,  Paintbrush, Weldbond, Random Branch, Sc loop loo issors, Colored Pencils, Magazine Picture for Making a Mosaic, Toothpicks, Lumiere Paint Blue, Copper, Halo Blue Gold, Fine Tip Paint Applicator with High Flow Black Acrylic Paint in it,

1.  Take apart GSLC Little Niche Starburst and dry brush with Acrylic Paints in Blue and Green Hues.

 

 

2.  Using Matte Varnish Gel Medium add a Decorative Napkin of your Choosing making sure to separate the Three plies before attaching.

 

3.  Glue Original Collage artwork into cent of back portion of niche using Weldbond. Press and weigh into place using what you prefer.

4.  Use Transparent Iron Oxide to add a patina to your piece.

5.  Fold and secure back portion of neche allowing to dry with metal clamps. Add a random branch of your choosing securing ends with Weldbond to hold securely into place.

 6.  Work on front portion of GSLC Starburst Neche using Colored pencils to add details and magazine picture to add a mosaic effect.

7.  For final details I used a toothpick to add Lumiere Paint of Blue, Copper, Halo Blue Gold and a Fine Tip Paint Applicator with High Flow Black Acrylic Paint in it.

 

 8.  Once satisfied with the effect attach the front of the GSLC Starburst Niche to the back portion once again holding onto place with metal clamps.

 9.  Once fully dry add the GSLC Clip to back of Niche for easy hanging if this is your preference.

 Some Final Thoughts.

C. S. Lewis “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly slight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg, we are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just and ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”

Victor Hugo “Be as a bird perched on a frail branch that she feels bending beneath her, still she sings away all the same, knowing she has wings.”

Richard Le Gallienne “I meant to do my work today, but a brown bird sang in the apple tree, and a butterfly flitted across the field. And all the leaves were calling me.”

  

 
  

 

My mother’s favorite bird was Jenny Wren a beautiful little brown bird, whenever I see them I know my momma still is thinking of me even though we are now apart.

Mother's Day Crèche-A Peek-A-Boo-Project

I know Mother’s Day was a few days ago and since my momma passed away in 2018, I had no need to send any cards, but I think of her often and honor her in my artwork and disposition. She was an avid gardener and loved being outside hanging clothes on the clothesline to dry is the fresh spring air or looking through her flower gardens spotting any new blooms. She is the inspiration for this instillation.

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Scalloped-Coming Soon, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Vine Corners, Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Gothic Cross Miniature, Original Collage Artwork, Acrylic Paint-Vann Dyke brown Hue, Indian yellow Hue, Quinacridone Nickle Azo Gold,  Hues of Green, Weldbond, Paintbrush, Metal Clips, Rub ’n Buff-Gold Leaf, Autumn Gold and Spanish Copper, Deco Art One-Step Crackle Finish, Glossy Accents medium, Matte Varnish, Liquid Pearls-Teal, High Flow Black Acrylic Paint, Fine Tip Paint Bottle Applicator

1.  Take apart Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Little Niche Scalloped and paint both pieces using dry brush technique with Acrylic Paints of Van Dyke Brown Hue, Indian yellow Hue and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold. 

2. Measure and glue an Original Collage Artwork piece to center of back portion of the niche.

3.  Secure and hold into place using metal clips.

4.  Add Glossy Accents and One Step Crackle Finish on top of collage.

5.  While this is drying paint the GSLC Vine Corners using the same drybrush technique with Acrylic Paints of Hues of Green. I did not take apart the corners but painted while still attached to background.

 

6.  Allow to dry fully then take apart GSLC Vine Corners they are ready to add to your niche.
7.  Next I used Rub ‘N Buff or distress the GSLC Gothic Cross Miniatures. I did not take apart the corners but painted while still attached to background.

 

 

8.  Allow to dry fully then take apart GSLC Gothic Cross Miniatures. They are ready to add to your niche.
9.  Assemble Front Portion of GSLC Scalloped Niche using Weldbond to secure the corners and cross of your choosing.

10.                Secure front of GSLC Scalloped Niche with Weldbond to the back portion that contains your collage piece.

11.                Add more Rub “n Buff to cross and around edges of crèche.

12.                Add details using Liquid pearls (Teal) and Fine Tip Bottle Applicator with Black High Flow Acrylic Paint.

 

13.                Once fully Dry seal everything with a quick coat of Matte Gel Varnish.

14.                Add GSLC clip on piece for easy hanging if so desired.

 

  

 

Some Final Thoughts.

My momma liked to say that from the time she arrived at the hospital to the time I was born was just about a half hour. She would say I came into this world in a hurry and have not slowed down since. In truth I am not a man known for his patience, but I am learning as I progress through this life to slow down and appreciate the daily miracles that come our way. I miss seeing my Momma’s flower gardens, eating her amazing cooking, hearing her voice on the phone, her laughter that lit up a room…None of us know the days granted to us so please take the time to love and appreciate the ones who are near and dear to you.