Room at the Inn-A Peek-a-Boo-Project

Traveling through England many years ago I was I intrigued by the beautiful pub signs. Visit this page to see a Collection Of Pub Signs. When I first saw Mini Crest Signs Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, I knew I wanted to use them. The Christmas story recorded in Luke 2:7 reads “And she gave birth to her first-born and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” This is the inspiration for this installation.

 

 Supplies: GSLC-Mini Crest Signs GSLC-Small Brick Wall, Images of Your Choosing, I Used Angels, Paintbrush, Golden Acrylic Paints-Indian Yellow Hue, Quinacridone Crimson, Nickel Azo Yellow, Titan Green Pale, Micaceous Iron Oxide and Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Deco Art Fluid Acrylic Paints-Medium Grey Value and Cobalt Teal Hue, Lumiere Metallic Copper Acrylic Paint, Rub’n Buff Gold Leaf, Weldbond, Matte medium, Deco Art One Step Crackle Finish, Book Board, Cutter, Deco Art Texture Sand Paste, Paprika, Chili Powder, Lemon Pepper Spice Blend, Paper Plates, Small Plastic Spatula, Jump Rings, Needle Nose Pliers

1.  Use a paintbrush and Golden Acrylic Paints-Indian Yellow Hue, Quinacridone Crimson, and Nickle Azo Yellow and Deco Art Cobalt Teal Hue Paint on the middle sections of the signs.

2.  Paint edges of signs with Lumiere Metallic Copper Acrylic Paint.

3.    Use Rub’n Buff Gold Leaf to paint the keys.

4.   Add details to keys with Lumiere Metallic Copper Acrylic Paint.

5.  Trace Angel Images using sign as template.

6.  Cut out and glue to sign using Weldbond.

7.  Seal with Matte Medium and one Step Crackle Finish, allow to fully dry overnight.

8.   Cut Two pieces of bookboard using a cutter.

9.  Use drybrush technique to add patina to the bookboards. I used Golden Titan Green Pale and Micaceous Iron Oxide and Deco Art Medium Grey Value Acrylic Paint.

10.                Make a mixture of Deco Art Texture Sand Paste, Paprika, Chili Powder, Lemon Pepper Spice Blend and Golden Transparent Red Iron Oxide Acrylic Paint. This is a bit of a mad scientist experiment.

11.                Once satisfied with texture and consistency use a small plastic spatula to randomly add bricks to prepared bookboards.

12.                Use needle nose pliers to add jump rings connecting the keys to the crest signs.

13.                Use colored pencils to add depth and interest to brick wall and signs. Then seal with Matte Medium.

14.                Attach a scrap piece of wood to top of wall panel with Weldbond.

15.                Hold into place with metal clamps.

16.                Once fully dry attach Key portion of sign with Weldbond allowing crest to swing freely. Hold into place with metal clamps.

Some Final Thoughts.

 

I’m not one to have religious debates with others and was raised going to a Baptist Church. I’ve seen religion used to isolate and interrogate others, but I have also seen it heal and unite others. My partner and I practice and “all are welcome” philosophy as we interact with others. I was impressed with the teachings of Brother Lawrence as he devoted his time in the monastery working in the kitchen and repairing his brothers’ sandals practicing the presence of Christ.  Several of his quotes:

“We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”

“I did not pray for any relief, but I prayed for strength to suffer with courage, humility and love.”

“The difficulties of life do not need to be unbearable. It is the way we look at them-through faith or unbelief-that makes them seem so.”

“That all things are possible to him who believes, that they are less difficult to him who hopes, they are more easy top him who loves, and still more easy to him who perseveres in the practices of these three virtues”

I often think that churches should be more like pubs, where everybody knows your name and lets weary thirst people know that relief is in sight.