Sunday 18 April 2010

The Caged Bird

The Caged Bird title describes how I've felt this week perfectly. I have been longing to put aside the orderly (and OK yes I admit - cutesy - lol) card making stash and make a mess with paints and inks!
This project has been spinning round in my head for 4 days and today I finally finished it. I have, on several occasions, been really frustrated with myself as it never seemed to be about to 'come together'. I'm not sure it ticks all the boxes as far as cohesion is concerned but I confess that it was good to get back to the satisfaction that mixed media chaos brings to me after being more concerned that what I was making had to satisfy other people's tastes and not my own!

This canvas measures 12" x 10". I painted the background with a mixture of acrylics, watercolours and distress inks in shades of green, brown and white. Whilst the paint was still wet I put some plasterers jointing tape over it and brushed over some thinned down paint then quickly removed the tape to leave a small chequerboard appearance. Once dry I stuck on the script background (by Artylicious and printed onto glossy paper), used some alcohol inks first then painted it with gesso and then stamped the edges of the canvas. I used black Stazon for the crackle stamp and white Versamagic for the flourishes.

The large images on the right were cut from a Graphic 45 sheet that I have had for EONS -(I steeled myself before cutting into it- lol) and the one on the top left is an image from an old book with some gold paint, gold mesh and 3 small metal pieces added.

I used some Paperartsy and Elusive Images stamps for the foliage and the large bird was stamped onto a piece of acetate. The butterfly was a present from a fellow crafter and I used some Glossy accents on the wings and some tiny black gems. The caged bird is also acetate attached with clear glue.
Please click on the pic to enlarge.

The theme at 'So Artful' is 'Shy Beauty' - and I believe that the women's faces are beautiful (shy I'm not sure???) 'Lots To Do' has challenged us to use Alcohol Inks, Gingersnap Creations (GCSP3) has their Blue Moon challenge theme of 'Take on a Tutorial' and I chose the tutorial on 'Creating a Background With Acrylics' , the Sunday Stamper's theme is 'Free (as a bird)'. Sunday Stampers is also having a blog candy give away to mark their 100 weeks! Click on the link in my sidebar! and last but not least Mixed Media Monday's theme is 'Look what I've found'....and as I 'found' the courage to use the paper, I've submitted my canvas!

29 comments:

PaulineC said...

This "ticks all the boxes" as far as I am concerned. I think that it is absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for blogging about it.

crafty creations said...

Viv its a truelly amazing work of art - wonderful and thanks for sharing it with the Lotstodo Challenge xx Hilda

Jan said...

Viv this is just incredibly beautiful....a real work of art and a million miles away from 'cutesy' !

peggy gatto said...

Very lovely design and colors!

Femmy said...

fabulous artwork!!!

Jeanette said...

Viv, I am so glad that you decided to get messy. This is a lovely piece and shy or not, it is beautiful and beautifully done.

Thanks for being Soartful this week.

indybev said...

A beautiful pair of shy beauties! Great layering and blending.

Rhonda said...

BRAVO!! You have followed your muse and the result is absolutely fabulous, this canvas is jaw dropping gorgeous. I LOVE it! And thanks for documenting your process as well, I have tucked away some ideas to try - Cheers!

Chriss Rollins said...

Bravo this piece of ART is amazing so different from you way to go

I love everything about it.

Chriss x

Jaqi said...

Stunning work the colours and images are beautiful

Sherry said...

I love it Viv, it's a beautiful piece of art.

Hels Sheridan said...

Cor, this is truly stunning...loving the layers and depth on this work of art hun...and I know what you mean about making the cards...satisfying but a bit like one cream cake, nice enough...but two cream cakes...mmm, hits the spot!! LOL THanks for joining in with the Sunday Stamper...have a grand week x

flutterbycrafter said...

What a fantastic piece of art, stunning.

Anonymous said...

This is stunning, Viv! Thanks for joining us at Gingersnap Creations.

June said...

Viv this is superb and i certainly agree you were correct to follow your heart and create something for yourself. its a stunning canvas and i hope you do more like this my friend
hugs June xxxxx

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Beautifully put together.

Lori said...

This is a stunning piece, just beautiful! I just love the colors!

Nicks said...

simply beautiful x

Lori Saul said...

Wonderful , expressive piece - the color and design is elegant and moving. Lovely art for this theme!

gayle said...

Beautiful canvas! Your work is wonderful :)

gayle said...

Beautiful canvas! Your work is wonderful :)

Val said...

This is stunning work, Viv. So much detail, and everything just gels beautifully.
Hugs
Valxx

Diane said...

Viv, this is a stunning piece! Love it! Diane

Deborah said...

Absolutely stunning! Well worth cutting that paper up for.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Lovely piece!

Teresa said...

woweee this is fantastic so much work and such beautiful results I might juast have to try this one.
luv Teresa x

wendy kirk said...

Really fabulous Viv

Netty said...

Terrific, Annette x