Holy Family Shrines-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I Love Images of the Holy Family, I especially like when I can find Images of Jesus and Joseph, they seem rarer than those of Jesus and Mary or the family of three. 

Joseph's Song

-Michael Card

How could it be this baby in my arms

Sleeping now, so peacefully

The Son of God, the angel said

How could it be

Lord I know He's not my own

Not of my flesh, not of my bone

Still Father let this baby be

The son of my love

Chorus 2

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours

How can a man be father to the Son of God

Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter

How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair

And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear

But when He laughs it shines again

How could it be

Chorus 2

Chorus 1

They are the inspiration for this artwork. 

Supplies:  GSLC Arch Top House Silhouettes , UHU GlueStick, Wet Cloth, Ripped Magazine Images, Tea Bags, Matte Gel Medium, Thin Metallic Thread, Glue,Paintbrush, DecoArt One Step Crackle, Small Plastic Palette Knife, Colored Pencils, Iridescent Copper Paint

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Glue Printed Images to GSLC Arch Top House Silhouettes with a UHU GlueStick.
   
3. Once Fully Dry Use Damp Cloth to Rub Of Excess Edges of Printed Images.
   

   
4. Add Bits of Ripped Magazine Images and Tea Bags to portions of the GSLC Arch Top House Silhouettes.
   
5. Use Matte Gel Medium to to Secure Ripped Magazine Images and Tea Bags.
   
6. Once Dry Randomly Wrap Pieces with Thin Metallic Thread. I Used Red, Blue and Copper.
   
7. Secure Metallic Thread to Back of GSLC Arch Top House Silhouettes.
   
8. Use a Small Plastic Palette Knife to Add a Layer of Deco Art One Step Crackle.
   
9. Allow to Dry Fully Rub Colored Pencils to Fill in the Cracks.
   
10. Reseal With Matte Gel Medium.
    
11. Add Iridescent Copper Paint to Edges of GSLC Arch Top House Silhouettes.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Final Thoughts:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? (Mary, did you know?)

Mary, did you know? 

Sacred Hearts A Stirring-A Peek-a-Boo-Project

I have always been fascinated with religious icons and have used them in my artwork frequently. In this the month of Valentines I will be featuring the Sacred Heart and of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Chaste Heart of Joseph. They are slightly different in their designs and many artists have embellished them to their own liking or understanding. The Sacred Heart of Jesus normally has a cross piercing the heart, with burning flames and thorns. The Immaculate Heart of Mary has all the same symbols but sometimes a sword instead of a cross that pierces her heart and some sort of roses. The Chaste Heart of Joseph in normally a flaming heart encircled with lilies. These are the inspirations for this artwork.

Supplies:  GSLC-Small Tag Set, Lace Art Foamie, Collage Set of Sacred Hearts, Printed Backs of Playing Cards, Decorative Cut Scissors, Design Cream Gold, White Gesso, Paint Brush, Weldbond, Brown and Green Acrylic Paint, Brayer, Wash of Diluted Brown Acrylic Paint, Red and Blue Pearl Drops,

1.  Gather Supplies

2.  Print Collage Set of Sacred Hearts, and Backs of Playing Cards.  Reimage to Fit GSLC Small Tags.

3.  Use Decorative Cut Scissors to Cut Out Sacred Heart Images and regular scissors to cut Playing Card Backs.

4.  Use Lace Art Foamie and White Gesso to print one Side of GSLC Small Tags.

         

5.  Paint the Other Side of GSLC Small Tags with Gold Design Cream.

   

6.  Use Weldbond to Attach the Sacred Heats and Playing Card Backs to the Prepared GSLC Small Tags.

        7.  To Add Patina, use a Brayer to Roll on Brown and Green     Acrylic Paints. To Add Further Patina Dilute Brown Acrylic

Paint and Randomly Fill in Any desired Locations.

   

   

               

8.  Add Red and Blue Pearl Dots in Patterns of your choosing.

   

9.  Use a Blue Highlighter to Add Random Bits of Blue to your GSLC Small Tags.

Some Final Thoughts.

I’ll never love as Jesus did and sacrifice what he did. I’m a simple man who tries to share loving kindness with all I meet. I’m not meant to change the world in grand ways but in smaller encounters along my pathway of life. I want to always be mindful of those who love me more than I deserve and have unconditionally treasured me in my stumbling ways. I am blessed by a husband who encourages me in my art and talks me through my cranky places.

 

This poem by Hannah L gives words to my thoughts.

                          Thank You

Thank You

For Loving me TRUE,

For Being No One but you,

For Holding my Hand,

And Helping me Stand.

Thank You

For Never Giving Up

And Never getting Stuck

In the Dark Places

Where Only Love Shines.

 

Thank You

For the Kind Letters

That make me Feel Better.

For Putting up with me,

And Loving What you see.

 

Thank You

Now and Forever,

Remember, I’ll Never

Stop Loving You.

What I say is True;

I Mean it from my Heart,

Even when It’s Dark.

I LOVE YOU.

Thank You

 

 

 

 

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.