Monday 9 August 2010

Marrakech Remembered

I chose a fanciful title for this fanciful piece of work! Please click on to enlarge for a better view!

I spent yesterday pricing up the cards and other fabulous things made by Maureen for the charity day and then turned myself away from card making and lifted out a plain canvas. A rather large canvas for me actually, as it measures 15" x 12".

The images are torn from a paper napkin - don't you just love these elephants??!
(Why anyone would want to use napkins as pretty as the ones that I've managed to acquire over the last couple years to wipe their mouths with after eating is just beyond my comprehension!)

Anyway back to the napkin and the canvas..... this gorgeous coloured piece of paper just evoked images of the Souks with their array of wares in strong geometric designs in rich spicy colours.

So the background was done using red, orange and yellow acrylics and a baby wipe, the napkin torn up and stuck on with gel medium. I rummaged through the crafty stash and found these jewels, rings, buttons and tassel and the fabric bag revealed some small pieces of silks and organza in red and orange. (The fibres taken from the edges of the silks were just thrown randomly onto the canvas background whilst wet and I then built up the design over them). The gold jewelled engraved 'tube' I sewed on as well as glueing the length because of the weight of it. I have no idea what purpose in life this piece had. I have put a cklose up pic of it on my Flickr account and maybe somone out there can tell me what it began it's life as?

I am quite pleased of this canvas - I have placed it on the work room wall and every time I look at it I can smell ginger, cinammon, paprika, saffron type aromas!!

Mixed Media Mondays theme this week is Memories
One Powerful Hour has a challenge of Vacation
Gingersnap Creations Theme Challenge 64 is to used Yellow, Red and Orange.

22 comments:

Always with a Sentiment said...

Hiya Viv. What a wonderful creation. So beautiful and very bright and colourful. I love it. WOW.
Happy crafting.
With love, Sandra xxx

Jan said...

Love the colours Viv... so right for the theme. Beautiful canvas x

johanna said...

WOW, what a piece! i love the luscious red and every little detail! the elephants especially!
bravo!!!

WrightStuff said...

I'd love to go there.... Thanks for the lovely prompt!

Meggymay said...

It is a fantastic canvas, love your elephants as well

Yvonne said...

G O R G E O U S, Viv!

indybev said...

Wonderful colors in this lovely piece of art. Thank you for sharing your journey of creation!

Sherry said...

It's a gorgeous,evocative piece and the colours are fantastic.

(I just had a look on your Flickr - it looks like it could have been an exotic toothpick holder - although they would have fallen out of the two holes at the other end!)

Good luck with your charity day x

Martina said...

This is very impressive!!!
Stunning work. Love your creation.

PetraB said...

These colours are so fibrant, full of life and all these details ... it is brilliant!

ALTERED ARTIFACTS said...

Amazing what you can do with a napkin! I love all the warm colors too! Very vivid yet soothing to look at
Inka :)

Glenda-TwoCoolTexans said...

Love the color, the composition. Gorgeous piece

joanna said...

Beautiful piece! love the vibrant colours and all the elements you've added!

Zoechaos said...

Wonderful the elephants and the little gem (is it a gem) give this a real eastern feel must be a real sjow piece on the wall. xx Zoe

Jen said...

LOVE the colors and elements in this, and adore the elephants!! Just gorgeous all around!!

Nicks said...

This is gorgeous Viv, I love the colours. BIG is scary, well it is for me, you have done good girl!

Anne said...

Wowzers! Well worth clicking and looking at the details this is amazing

Cheryl said...

That is lovely... napkins? who would have thought!

Kris Dickinson said...

A totally stunning piece! WOW!

Sarah said...

Absolutely amazing Viv. The colours in real life are stunning. Not sure how my first Napkin work or art will turn out!

Diane said...

Wow Viv, this is nothing short of amazing! Love the colours, the elephants -well, I love it all! Diane

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Viv! I have chosen your gorgeous piece as art of the week on Mixed Media Monday this week :-) Diane