Trips Not Taken-A Peek-a-Boo Project

  When I was younger and more adventurous, I thought I might like to travel the Us and see some the National Parks that boast of natural wonders, breathtaking vistas, gasp worth scenery. 

They are written about in enticing almost pornographic phrases, “will certainly captivate you with its sights, sounds, and smells. Sparking blue lakes and lush meadows will mesmerize you. Flowing waterfall and colorful rocks will have you completely immersed in nature. Please enjoy this extraordinary experience and allure..” 

I think I would still enjoy seeing them but this is my dark side to the national parks…make them a popular  destination for every type of traveler— sightseers, adventure junkies, families, oversea visitors, and everyone in between. Summed up in this one word— “CROWDS”. You never are there in your romantic imaginings as those who first discovered and explored this amazing landscapes, you are there with thousands of others, pushing to be first, taking selfies so they are a center of attention and not the magnificent mountains, majestic meanderings, or calm rivers. They are there polluting beauty with their trivia and rudeness. I don’t mean to be an introverted isolationist but know as I have grown older, I seek solitude and drama free zones with almost every fiber of my being. 

I’ve reimagined these national parks  as how I’d like them to be, these are the inspirations for this artwork. A bit of Old West with a sprinkling of Retro Regal.

Supplies: GSLC Chunky ATC Blanks, Reminisce National Parks Kit Paper Pad and Stickers, Carta Bella Paper-Outdoor Adventures Collection Kit, Carta Bella Paper-The Great Outdoors Collection Kit, Carta Bella Paper-Gone Camping Collection Kit,  Sanding Block, TH Distress Stains of your Choosing, Vintage Map Scraps, Exacto Blade, UHU GlueStick, Deco Art Triple Thick Gloss Glaze, DecoArt Matte Gel Medium, Plastic Palette Knife,  Golden, Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold, Iridescent Copper(Fine), Van Dyke Brown Acrylic Paints, Paintbrush

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Use a Sanding Block to Roughen Up Reminisce National Parks Poster Stickers. This is an Easy Way to Add Vintage Appeal to Shiny StoreBought Stickers.
   
   
3. Fill in Scratches with TH Distress Stains of Your Choosing.
   
4. Glue Prepared Stickers To Center of GSLC Chunky ATC Blanks. 
   
5. Use an Exacto Blade to Trim Edges of Stickers That Do Not Fit On To GSLC Chunky ATC Blanks.
   
6. As the Distressed Stickers are Slightly Smaller Than the GSLC Chunky ATC Blanks Add a Bit Of Vintage Map Scraps to the Top and Bottom Using a UHU GlueStick.
   

   
7. Sand Edges of GSLC Chunky ATC Blanks with A Sanding Block.
   
8. Use Bits of Carta Bella Paper-Outdoor Adventures Collection Kit, Carta Bella Paper-The Great Outdoors Collection Kit, Carta Bella Paper-Gone Camping Collection Kit, as Ephemera for Your GSLC Chunky ATC  Blank.
   
9. Use DecoArt Triple Thick Gloss Glaze as an Adhesive.
   
10. To Add Depth and Interest add Other Layers of Vintage Map Scraps.
    
11. To Unify and Give the ATC “Posters” a More Vintage Look use DecoArt Matte Gel Medium a Plastic Palette Knife and Golden Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold Acrylic Paint as a “Wash”.
    
12. Paint Edges of ATC “Posters” with Golden Iridescent Copper (Fine) Acrylic Paint.
    
13. To Give it a More Oxidized or Burnished Copper Look Gently Add Golden Van Dyke Brown Acrylic Paint to the Edges.

Final Thoughts:

I have chosen for my virtual tour of the National Parks mostly mountainous locations as mountain man blood flows through my veins. I grew up in Pennsylvania near the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains the north eastern part of the Appalachian Mountains. The closest national park to where I live currently would be Shenandoah, a place my husband has fond memories of, but where we have never traveled as a couple.  

Geographically our virtual trip would start in The Great Smoky Mountains, I feel I’d be at home here among the landscapes of my ancestors, they go there for the fishing. 

Next up Rocky Mountain National Park, I used to think I knew what mountains were until I saw the Alps in Switzerland and later when I was driving to visit friends in Colorado Springs and I saw the Rocky Mountains on the distant horizon. Hour later I arrive at their home but I am not yet in the Rocky Mountain. Colorado definitely can boast world-renowned scenery. Their peaks are perhaps a too grand for my humble beginnings.

Yellowstone is our next stop and here will see the great bison herds-noted it is the only place in the U.S. where they have lived continuously since prehistoric times. Other mammals you may see here are grizzly bears, wolves, lynx, fox, moose and elk. We will behold its many geysers, none more famous than Old Faithful. There is a “Mini-Me” Grand Canyon here but we will move on the big kahuna, the full monty, the real deal, the boss of deep ditches.

 Upon viewing the Grand Canyon it is said that people are overcome with awe. Its expanse is mind-boggling. Its colors defy the most colorful palette you have ever seen. There are layers upon layers of history and geology to discover. It makes you feel small, sobering to some to know they are not the only being in the universe. It reminds us that we are bart of something bigger than us.  It is said to still you, to calm you, a spirituality flows freely here, your energy may be restored and your spirit may soar.  The landscape is semi-arid, way too hot for my liking so we’ll move on.

Zion Nation Park is a red-rock desert and still too desolate for my liking I would imagine.iT does have Navajo Sandstone Cliffs, pine and juniper clad slopes, springs and waterfalls surrounded by lush and colorful almost hanging gardens. To these I would be drawn as I reminisce a favorite album by at Pueblo Musician and Native American Flute Player, Robert Mirabal - Music From Painted Cave. While is Zion we will be sure to do some hiking and if I were more agile the park boast world famous big wall rock climbs.

Our virtual tour will end here in Yosemite. It is best known for its waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys and ancient giant sequoias. An ancient civilization called this place their home-the Anasazi people thrived here around 1,500 BC-traces of their villages, network of road and rock art can be found throughout the park today. Maybe we will catch a glimpse of the largest flying bird in North America-The California Condor. It’s been on the endangered species list since 1967. 

Looking back through the years, thinking of  trips I have taken to places I could only dream of growing up poor in Pennsylvania. I am grateful for eyes left wide open as I glimpsed amazing sights and sounds. Scenes once only black and white photographs in  our well worn World Book Encyclopedias. I still remember the green and off white textured covers with golden lettering on the spines.  For me they were the eyes to the world.

Dragons on Parade-A Peek-a-Boo Project

 

I’m not sure why I have dragons on my mind in July. Maybe these mythical creatures remind of fireworks on the fourth of July or Visiting ChinaTown in Washington DC, years ago for Chinese New Year and seeing the Amazing Dragon dancing down the street with festive laughter and cheery merriment. I Have also throughly enjoyed watching the “How to Train Your Dragons” Movie series. Whatever the reason they are the inspiration of this artwork. 

Supplies:  GSLC Layered Shields, GSLC Creepy Critters Shape Set, Polymer Clay, Clay Shape Cutters and Molds, Ebony and Silver Rub’n Buff, Paintbrush, UHU GlueStick, Liquid Clay, Dragon Eyes Cabochons, Mica Powders, Metal Embellishments-Nails, Screws, Eyelets, Blue and Golden Waxes, Collection Of Acrylic Paints, Embossing Stick, Clear Embossing Powder, Rubber Texture Stamps, Heating Tool, Gorilla Clear Glue Tube, 

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Cover GSLC Layered Shields With Silver Rub’n Buff using a Paintbrush.
   
3. Glue Layered Parts Together with a UHU GlueStick. Dry Completely Pressed and Weighted Down.
   
4. Use Polymer Clay, Moulds, Clay Cutters, Liquid Fly and Dragon Eye Cabochons to Create Focal Point for Your Prepared Layered Shields.
   

   

   
5. Add Mica Powders to Glisten the Eyes.
   
6. Use Liquid Clay to Secure Dragon Eye Layered Shield.
   
7. Add Metal Embellishments-Nails, Screws, Eyelets, etc-With a bit of Liquid Clay.
   
8. Cure in Polymer Clay as Instructed on Packaging.
9. Once fully Cooled Added Patina and Interest with Waxes and Rub’n Buff.
   
   
   
10. Add Further Layers with Collection of Acrylic Paints.
    
11. As Pieces Needed More Interest I used the Bats for GSLC Creepy Critter Shape Sets.
    
12. Use Embossing Stick on Rubber Texture Stamps.
    
13. Sprinkle With Clear Embossing Powder.
14. Cure With a Heating Tool.
15. Use Acrylic Paints to Create Corresponding Wings for Your Dragon Eyes.
    
16.  Cut Bats in Half and Secure to Back of Shield Using Clear Gorilla Glue.
    
17. Allow to Dry Fully Pressed and Weighted Down.

Final Thoughts:

Many years ago we went to China Town In Washington, DC to Celebrate The Chinese New Year. It was my first time seeing the Dragon dance and the Lion Dance. Although similar in style are are uniquely their own.

Both dances are intended to bring luck and prosperity, a sentiment that’s very important to Chinese people.

The dances are often seen during Chinese New Year celebrations, but can also be part of other events throughout the year.

There is often some confusion when it comes to identifying a lion or a dragon dance – the exquisite costumes of the lion can often make it look similar to a dragon.

However, it’s quite easy to distinguish between the two.

In a lion dance, there are two performers making up each lion – one at the head, who defines the lion’s personality, and one at the back for the tail. Apart from their legs, they are completely covered by their costume.

For a dragon dance however, you have a minimum of nine performers, each holding up a section of the dragon, which is propped up on poles. The performers are completely exposed in this case.

Some of my favorite quotes from, How to Train Your Dragon.

“What you’re searching for isn’t out there, Hiccup. It’s in here.” 

“I wouldn’t kill him, because he looked as frightened as I was. I looked at him… and I saw myself.” 

“This is Berk. It’s twelve days north of Hopeless, and a few degrees south of Freezing to Death. It’s located solidly on the Meridian of Misery. My village. In a word, sturdy. And it’s been here for seven generations, but, every single building is new.

We have fishing, hunting, and a charming view of the sunsets. The only problems are the pests. You see, most places have mice or mosquitoes. We have… dragons.” 

“Legend says that when the ground quakes or lava spews from the earth it’s the dragons. Letting us know they’re still here. Waiting for us to figure out how to get along. Yes, the world believes the dragons are gone, if they ever existed at all.

But we, Berkians, we know otherwise. And we’ll guard this secret until the time comes when dragons can return in peace.”