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.

Colorful Cameos-A Peek-A-Boo-Project

Cameos are traditionally carved from carnelian or sardonyx shells or from mother of pearl and are usually white to ivory in color with a darker contrasting background. I wanted to give them a makeover and this is the inspiration of this installment.

 

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Fashion Cameos Set, Metallic Embossing Powders-I used Gold, Hammered, Pewter, Burnt Copper Leaves and Oil Rubbed Bronze, Heating Tool, Ice Resin Iced Enamels-I used Chartreuse, Turquois, Carnelian, and Raspberry, Black Sparkle and Super Nova Embossing Powders, Metallic Copper Acrylic Paint, Weldbond, Bag of Kitty Litter or Another Way to Weigh Down the Art Pieces. 

1.  Organize the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Fashion Cameos Set into sets of your choosing.

 

2.  Use Metallic Embossing Powders of Gold, Hammered, Pewter, Burnt Copper Leaves and Oil Rubbed Bronze to coat and seal the bottom portion of the GSLC Fashion Cameos-This will become the frame portion.

3.  Once dry use a dry brush technique to add bits of copper acrylic paint to these frame portions.

4.   Use Ice Resin Iced Enamels of Chartreuse, Turquois, Carnelian, and Raspberry to coat and seal the center portion of the GSLC Fashion Cameos-this will become the background for your fashion figurine.

5.   Use Black Sparkle and Super Nova Embossing Powders to coat and seal the GSLC Fashion Figurines.

6.   Now it is just a matter of assembling your GSLC Fashion Cameos layering each and gluing together using Weldbond.

7.  Carefully weigh down each GSLC Fashion Cameo with a bag of kitty litter or other weighted object to keep them pressed together until they are dried fully.

 Some final thoughts.

“I’m very out of Style or should I say I have my Own Style” Alexandra Paul

“To be irreplaceable, one must always be different.”

“If people don’t occasionally walk away from you shaking their heads, you’re doing something wrong.”

“Don’t forget to shout “Jenga” when everything falls apart.”

“There is no right and wrong in art, art is chaos taking shape.”

“I’ve always loved the idea of not being what people expect me to be.” Dita VonTeese

“All that is gold does not glitter, not all who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king” J.R.R. Tolkien 

 

 

 

 

King of Fools-Jokers Wild-A Peek-a-Boo Project

I’ve always enjoyed the look of playing cards and fondly remember playing cards with my family growing up as we had no television in our humble home. The joker was my favorite card because sometimes he would become a “wild card” and trump all. So often the joker stayed in the box on the table and was not used at all. The joker is the inspiration of this “April Fools” Instillation. Trying to bring some humor into our crazy world.

 

Supplies:  Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts-Small Tag Set, Images of Jokers and Back of Plying Cards, Scissors, Acrylic Paint-Copper, Van Dyke Brown, Transparent Iron Oxide, Burnt Sienna, Paintbrush, Weldbond, Deli Paper, Sandpaper Blocks, Antique Linen Distress Stain, DecoArt One Step Crackle Finish and Triple Thick Glass Glaze, Antiquing Cream-Red Oxide, Burnt Umber, Patina Green, Matte Varnish,

1.  Print Images of Jokers and Back of Playing Cards adjusting size to fit on GSLC Small Tag Set.

 

2.   Use dry brush technique and Acrylic Paint-Copper, Van Dyke Brown, Transparent Iron Oxide to randomly paint all tags front and back.

 

3.  Cut and glue images to front and back of each tag using Weldbond.

4.  Crinkle a piece of wax paper or deli paper to dab on some of the above used acrylic paints.

5.  Once completely dry sand the edges of the GSLC Tags making them looked aged and vintage.

6.  Distress edges of GSLC tags using TH Antique Linen Distress Stain.

7.  Make a glaze of DecoArt One Step Crackle Finish and Triple Thick Glass Glaze and Burnt Sienna Acrylic Paint.  This will further the ancient, archaic look I am known for.

8.  Once completely dry use Deco Art Antiquing Cream-Red Oxide, Burnt Umber, Patina Green to fill in the cracks, wipe off with a baby wipe.

9.  Seal GSLC tags with a Matte Varnish.

 Some Final Thoughts.

Although April 1^st was a week ago, I wanted to celebrate this often-forgotten holiday, much like the joker card itself hidden among the deck of playing cards. We need laughter in our lives, to look for the everyday joys that are sometimes hidden especially nowadays.  Here are some fun quotes from the Joker of Batman Movies fame.

“I don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every (explicative) minute of it!”

“I keep telling myself to stop talking to weirdos but then I wouldn’t have any friends left.”

“I don’t care what others think about me I enjoy my Life with my own rules”

“if you are good at something never do it for free”

“Some people ant to see you fail. Disappoint Them!”

“Sometimes you have to play the role of the fool to fool the fool who thinks they are fooling you”