New Wisp Brush, Waxed Paper Masks, Remember

Love, Serve and Remember

Stampers Anonymous stamp, home-made word stickers,
K & Co. butterflies, waxed paper mask, waxed paper
cut-outs, Yasumoto iridescent watercolor, Imagine
Craft Fireworks craft spray, stencils, Office Max Metallic
Markers, Martha Steward craft marker

On the left my new Aqualon Wisp brush, waxed paper cutout.
On right a different, just started, journal spread that gives you an example
(around edge, orange outer circle) of what the brush does.

A bunch of cool (to me, at least) discoveries contributed to the top image "Love, Serve & Remember",
the name of a Ram Dass book and a good reminder of what I am here on this planet to do.  The top
spread started out with two circle shapes drawn with a compass, I meant to do a "Lettering in the
Round" (Joanne Sharpe) spread. 

1. Waxed paper masks
   Discovery one took place when I used the waxed paper I often use behind the pages I'm
   working (on to protect other pages) to cut out a mask to protect the circles from stenciling and
   spray.  Used just a bit of double stick tape to hold the mask in place.  You can still see the
   masked circles (lavender). 
   
   I used letter and swirl stencils with Fireworks craft spray and used the ghosting technique
   (saw Dyan do this in a video) where you place the sprayed or wet stencil face down to make
   a ghost image of the one you sprayed.  I actually like the "ghost" better.
2.  Waxed paper cut-outs
   Discovery two, I used a version of this technique with the tissue paper I used to blot another
   spread previously.  When I saw what great spray patterns and colors were on the waxed paper
   I cut out flower shapes with scissor and glue down the waxed paper cut-outs with Mod Podge.
   Love how transparent the waxed paper is.  Maybe you can make out a couple of flowers on
   each of the pages (subtle in this picture).
3. Aqualon Wisp Brush
   I saw this odd brush at Hobby Lobby.  It's for watercolorist who wants to quickly put in foliage
   or hair or the like in their watercolors.  I thought: lines/texture.  The brushes are by Royal
   Langnickel and come five to a "value pack" for around 14.00.  Sheds just a bit but within the
   acceptable range.  In the "Remember" spread you can see the interest created with these brushes
   when the light spaces where left and interacted with the spray.
4. Hand-made shiny word "stickers"
   This is a technique you probably already know but doesn't hurt to remind you.  You can print
   out words from your printer, on any older paper, with any color and style of font.  Cut or punch
   them out, glue down, then use Glossy Accents (Ranger) or Liquid Embossing (Plaid) or
   Dimensional Accents (Plaid Mod Podge product).  I used Liquid Embossing here. 
   Cut my "serve" button too small but other than that I like these.  I inked the edges before
   I glued down and added the Liquid Embossing.
   
   
   Reflective/Art Therapy Angle: 
   
   I wanted to make a piece to remind me about the daily things I need to remember to have
   balance in my life.  The first thing that came to mind was the two vitamins for my soul that I have
   been forgetting about lately, Walking and Meditating for more than a couple of minutes.
   Both these activities help me dump worry stress and feel more focused.  The other essentials
   that I seek to do everyday are Create and Teach.  Finally I added "Love, Serve and Remember" which is such a great daily reminder. 
   
   The doorway shaped stamped images came before the words.  I wanted  to write something
   about answering the door when opportunity knocks.  You know how it goes though--creations
   have a life of their own that the strategic mind may have no idea about.  Think that is what
   tickles me about art. I added the butterflies because they represent radical transformation,
   and brief beauty to me.



The Artist Works



Background with watercolor layered with Fireworks Craft Ink Spray



K and Company butterflies with lines decorated with markers on previous background



Lettering added to above butterfly lines

I used the Alma Gluck quote (she was a famous Soprano in the early 1900's) "Just as the bird sings
and the butterfly soars, because it is his nature, so the artist works".  I have been feeling lately that I
can more own the title "artist" because I now have the habit of working very near daily and also
making the effort to strengthen my skills and knowledge of techniques. 

This started out as an experiment with watercolor and craft spray and I decided to make it into a
"Whimsey Grid".  I like the way this turned out and wish you could see more clearly the rich colors.
Time for a new printer/scanner with better resolution.  In the meantime I am going to also try to show
you the steps in my process. 

In terms of the craft spray (some popular ones are: Tattered Angel's "Glimmer Mist", Ranger's
"Dylusion Spray", and Imagine Crafts "Fireworks") I suggest that you have a first layer of watercolor
instead of spraying and blotting off tons of spray (wasting lots) to make a first layer.  The brush strokes
you make with your watercolor brush makes an interesting texture under the ink.  

Flower Mandalas and Paisley Background



Flower Mandalas and Paisleys (R)



Flower Mandalas and Paisleys (L)

Tried a new way to make a background.  Looks like ink spray and stencils, but its not.  Started out as absently using the waste from a die-cut from the Tim Holtz Tattered Florals die to trace flower shapes onto a page spread.  Used Derwent's Inktense Watercolor Pencils to make them more elaborate and to scribble and brush in the yellow-green background.  Finally used foam paisley stamps with a green Marvy Brush Marker to add some interest and finished (for now) with the red-orange foam flower stamps with a orange-read Marvy Brush Marker. 

See the funny yellow triangles in the foam stamped flower image?  That's where my cat chewed into these stamps.  Something about the texture or smell of them--he would not leave them alone.  gives me an idea to add texture to store-bought foam stamps, though.  Thanks for the idea Sammy!