Mother’s Day Gift Updated-A Peek-a-Boo Project

In times of Yore a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift would be to have family members, especially her children sit for cut out Silhouette Portraiture. In modern day the process can be shorted to these few steps:

Step 1 – Take Photo. Take a side profile photo (your phone is fine) of the child against a white wall. 

Step 2 – Upload Photo.

Step 4 – Tape Paper To Computer And Trace. 

Step 5 – Cut It Out. 

Step 6 – Glue Onto Black Paper. 

Step 7 – Glue Onto Final Background Paper. 

Step 8 – Sign And Date.

An Easy Peasy DIY Reimagining of an Ancient Tradition.

These are the inspirations for this artwork.

Supplies:  Supplies:  GSLC Layered Frames Carlon, GSLC Steampunk Lady, Metallic Paint Copper and Gold, Paintbrush, Spices-Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Chili Powder, Cheap Hairspray, Metallic Blue Card Stock, Scissors, WeldBond Glue, Dark Green and Brown Acrylic Paint,Blue Ocean Stencil Butter, Green And Blue Acrylic Paints, Ranger Glossy Accents

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Clump on Metallic Paint of Copper and Gold with an Old Paintbrush on GSLC Steampunk Lady.
   
3. While Paint is Still Well Sprinkle with Spices-I Used Cinnamon, Apple Pie Spice and Chili Powder. Spray with Cheap Hairspray to Seal.
   
4. Use Back Portion of GSLC Layered Frames Carlon to Cut Out a Metallic Blue Card Stock Back.
   
5. Use WeldBond to Glue GSLC Steampunk Lady to Metallic Blue Card Stock.
   
6. Paint Back Portion of GSLC Layered Frames Carlon With Dark Green and Brown Acrylic Paints.
   
7. Paint Top Portion of GSLC Layered Frames Carlon With Ocean Blue Stencil Butter.
   
8. Glue Top Portion to Back Portion of GSLC Layered Frames Carlon. Dry Flat and Weighted Down.
   
9. Glue GSLC Steampunk Lady Prepared Pieces to Back of Frames.
   
   
10. Use Green and Blue Paints to Add Patina to the Combined Pieces.
11. Use Ranger Glossy Accents to Seal in GSLC Steampunk Lady, When Fully Dry it Will Appear as Glass Inside the Frames.
    

Final Thoughts

A Steampunk Woman’s Silhouette might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it a fun nod to an olden art form that may one day come back into fashion. As it is spoken, “Everything Old is New Again”. 

Silhouette (profile) portraiture was the popular way to recreate an image of oneself or loved one before the invention and common use of photography in the mid 1800’s. During the years of 1500 and 1860, professional and amateur artists would either paint or cut profiles – using paints or scissors.

This past Summer I visited Glenstone , a unique art museum in Potomac, Maryland. This museum integrates art, architecture, and nature in a serene contemplative environment. Throughout the nearly 300 acres landscape is a form of art. The landscapes include path, trails, streams, meadows, forests and outdoor sculptures. 

One of the artists on display was Kara Walker , she takes silhouettes to  grandiose level. They covered museum walls, and are haunting and provocative. Her silhouettes depict a historical narrative one with hidden sexuality, violence and subjugation. Her silhouettes are thought provoking, boldly bringing the secrets of our nations past into light. The sharp edges of the cut papers reminds us of the broken hearts and dreams of these antebellum figures portrayed in many of her art pieces. Her artwork is witty and unsettling. 

This would be a nice poem to attach to your DIY Silhouette Portraiture if you choose to create one.

Mama's Shadow

When I was a kid (you know, last year)

I was like your shadow, always near.

While learning what the world was about

I followed your footsteps day in and day out.

There were so many things I wanted to know.

You answered my questions and helped me to grow.

All too soon Mama I will be grown

And making my way in this world on my own.

When you remember the good times we had

And wish I was with you, don't be sad.

Just stand by this picture and pretend

That I am your shadow once again.

~Wanda Atkinson

Screen Door is Always Open-A Peek-a-Boo Project

As stated in my last post I grew up in Pennsylvania in the countryside. Our family homestead was sold in 2021 after the passing of my mum. Before I moved in our condo, I had a screen door from the property that was rescued from the woodshed before it was tore down in 2019. All that remains is a photograph of my grandfather sitting on the front porch of their humble home with that screen door behind him. Memories linger on long after the properties or the touchstone keepsakes have departed. My momma had an open door policy, but it wasn't known as that back in day. They are the inspiration for this artwork.

Supplies:  GSLC Acorn Border Set, GSLC Queen Anne's Lace, GSLC Fern Fronds, GSLC Honeycomb & Bees Small, Variety Acrylic Paints, Bookboard, Magazine Picture, Sanding block, TH Distress Stains-Blue, Brown, Yellow, Vintage Screen Door Reproduction, Transparencies of Stained Glass Panels, Heavy Gel Matte,

1.  Gather your supplies.

2.  Use a variety of acrylic paints to paint GSLC Acorn Border Set, GSLC Queen Anne's Lace, GSLC Fern Fronds, and GSLC Honeycomb & Bees Small.

3.  Cut a piece of Bookboard, for the Section of  Small Vintage Screen Door Reproduction you Will be Using.

4.  Find a Magazine Picture you find Pleasing.

5.  Use a Sanding Block to Add Patina and Scratches.

6.  Use TH Distress Stain to Highlight Areas you Have Distressed.

7.  Decide on How you Would Like to Arrange Your GSLC Painted Pieces.

8.  Make Transparency Copies of Stained Glasses you Will Use for Top Panels of Small Vintage Screen Door Reproduction and a Stain Glass Pattern for the Larger Portion.

9.  Use Golden Heavy Gel Matte to Attach GSLC Painted Pieces.

10.                Use Double Sided Tape to Attach Prepared Pieces to the Small Vintage Screen Door Reproduction.

Some Final Thoughts.

A screen door on a porch seems so enchanting to me. The screen door on my parents back porch was well worn and often left open much to my momma's chagrining. You could hear her calling "Close that door were your born in a barn? You'll let the flies in!"

Strange the memories that stick, the childhood embarrassments of being from the wrong side of the tracks or not as affluent of those living in the towns, become the badges of grace and gratitude in our older years. I'm thankful for my upbringing and the values I grew up knowing.

 My momma always said anyone was welcome into our home as long as they did not mind the mess. We were not fancy people and never ones to try to impress our neighbors. My parents never had a credit card, if we didn't have cash to pay for it we didn't need it.

Our garden was not planted just for us was always plenty to share, our kohlrabi, rhubarb patch, and beets were favorite of many who would stop by. Growing up going to a small Baptist Church-where mom was on the flower committee, it was with pride that we would carry the wildflower mixed bouquets up the alters before anyone arrived and we always ask who were gonna give the flowers to after the service.  Momma was certain our bouquets were prettier than those who bought them from a florist. If were ever given a casserole or a pie we never returned the dish empty but always  added a treat of our own. It was the philosophy of "leaving it better than your found it, if you can't say something nice don't say anything at all, and please and thank you."

 "If the sight  of blue skies fill you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has the power to move you, if the simple things of nature has a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." Eleonora Duse

 "Be thankful for what you have. Appreciate the small and simple things."Kyle Carpenter

 We have found that if we are happy with the ordinary we do not need the extravagances that other believe will make them happy, the better job, the bigger house, the prettier lover, the expensive vacations, the list goes on and on. We have two things we like to do each weekend we are home Sushi Saturday and Challah Bagels on Sunday Morning. These two pleasures make the worst of weeks bearable and worth the effort to endure.

 

Momma Memories-A Peek-a-Boo Project

 It has been over a year since they sold our family homestead in the foothills of Pennsylvania. I am hoping to finally return and bid my final farewell this summer. We have not traveled out of Maryland since March of 2020. I know many others have traveled, taken vacations, and resumed a normal way of venturing to and fro. We have never felt trapped at our home but have enjoyed the moments of peace and rest. Our home is our refuge as much was my childhood home. My momma always said anyone was welcomed if they did not mind the mess. Our house wasn't messy but it was well lived in. It's hard to imagine the lives our parents had before we knew them. Last June a enveloped arrived unexpectedly from a dear cousin whose handwriting is surprisingly similar to my sweet momma's who left us in November of 2018 to be with dad and brother who passed away years earlier. She did not know me for the last years of her life as she had Alzheimer's and it had been many years longer since I had received a handwritten letter from her. Within that envelope was a treasure trough of family photographs. They are the inspiration for this Mother's Day artwork.

Supplies: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Alarm Clock Frame Ups, Selected Copies of Treasured Family Photographs, Pencil, Embossing Powders of your Choice-Iced Resin German Silver, Turquoise, Allure Hammered Metal, Rangers Brick, Heating Tool, TH Distress Stains-Broken China, Bundled Sage, Crushed Olive, Scissors, Weldbond, Clamps, Glossy Accent Clear, Repurposed Wooden Box Top, Copies of Handwritten Letters, Acrylic Paints, Ribbon or String, Upholstery Tacks

1.  Make copies of Treasured Family Photographs you wish to use.

2.  Use front portion of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Alarm Clock Frame Ups to decide what part of the pictures you wish to frame.

3.  Trace with a pencil and cut out carefully.

4.  Decide on Embossing Powers you want to use to highlight each photograph.

5.  Randomly apply embossing ink on front portion of GSLC Alarm Clock Frames. Cure using a heating tool. I never try to fully cover a chippie as I find it is more interesting if left with empty spaces.  

6.  Fill in empty spaces with TH Distress Stains.

7.  Cut Out Chosen portion of photographs and glue to back of embossed GSLC Alarm Clock Frame.

8.  Next glue prepared front portion of GSLC Alarm Clock frame to the back portion of frames using Weldbond.

9.  Once parts are lined up hold securely in place with clamps.

10.                Once fully dry add a layer of Glossy Accent Clear to the inside of the alarm clock face. Allow to dry fully.

11.                Find an appropriate frame to add this trio of momma clocks. I am using a wooden box top.

12.                Print saved handwritten letters from loved ones. They will be glued as a wallpaper to the inside of wood box top I found.

13.                Use Acrylic Paints to paint the rim of found wooden box top.

14.                Once fully dry add clock trio

15.                If you wish to make this a hanging assemblage add a bit of ribbon and a few decorative upholstery tacks.

Some Final Thoughts.

At my momma's funeral it was so strange as everyone who knew her called her "June", "Gram", "Grammy" or like me "Momma or Mom" her obituary had her full given name Mary Angus June Lowe. No one, not ever her family called her Mary. Obituaries are so cold and final I think our passing should be a celebration of what we brought to the world, how we made it a bit brighter by being a room enhancer or how we tried to care for those who had fallen. One person left this message for us about our mom " June was our girls' Sunday School Teacher. She faithfully taught hundreds of children over the years. She was a hard working woman, who cared for everyone. If you needed something and she could do it, she did. June will live on in the hearts of many she served. It could have been a meal, produce from her garden, or a kind word. I know she struggled with remembering. However she has a sense of peace when she sang hymns. Those songs were embedded in her soul. So I shall think of June singing and serving with the angels. June was our dear friend and neighbor." May others have such sweet words to say about me and may I reflect all the wonderful things my sweet momma taught me. I hope I make her proud by the way I walk through this world.