D I V I N E 11"x 14" canvasThis piece started out in a completely different direction, in fact it started out to look nothing like this! It began as something whimsical and it just wasn't working, so I covered over the background and paper and images completely with paints, glazes and some deli paper misted with Color Mists in hues of copper and browns I then stamped with gesso (The paper actually felt like leather after I applied it with gel medium). It still was missing something, so I added more papers, layer by layer! I struggled and struggled with this piece nothing seemed to come together easily and after adding the image of the woman and her headdress from a large sunflower cut up it sat hanging in my studio staring at me for over a year. I was waiting for just the right piece I felt it needed over the headdress. I wasn't sure what it would be, but I was sure I would know "it" when I saw it...at least I hoped! So when hubby gave me the pile of metal fixtures I got excited when I saw two pieces in the pile I thought would work... sure enough they did! I also added brass corners from the pile as well. I stacked the two drawer fixtures cutting and bending the top one so it would sit a top the bottom one and give the crown more depth. I antiqued them with Modern Options Patinas and then went over that with some chalk inks and some brown varnish. The moral of this story is...if you don't like what you end up with don't give up just cover over it. I'm happy I was able to see this piece come to fruition and didn't get frustrated and toss it...trust me I was tempted!
Here's a close up of the fixtures and if you click the link below you can see what they began as:
22 Comments:
With or w/out the metal , I think this was a pretty cool piece Aileen , but the crown and draping ARE pretty awesome! I think I'm glad you kept it , too.
:)
By
Kim, at Sun Jan 27, 04:25:00 PM 2008
The crown is a gem! I love the rich texture in this piece. It really is divine.
Joanne
By
Joanne Huffman, at Sun Jan 27, 04:52:00 PM 2008
This is quite divine! What an intricate nad lovely collage -- and the metal fixture perfect!
By
Karen Campbell, at Sun Jan 27, 05:14:00 PM 2008
That old saying "if at 1st you don't succeed, try, try and try again" has so clearly been demonstrated here. So it took you a year...heck, it was soooooooo worth the wait. The whole piece is wonderful, and the crown was indeed the glory on this piece. You should be so proud of yourself - 1. for sticking at it and 2. for the outstanding result you achieved. MAGNIFICENT!!!!
P.S. do you want to swap husbands???? lol
By
Dawn, at Sun Jan 27, 11:33:00 PM 2008
very beautiful! love those little details..crown, birds...
By
Helis mixed media, at Mon Jan 28, 02:19:00 AM 2008
Beautiful Aileen! I have two large pieces hanging in the studio for a long time now. They need something...and someday I know they will be complete.
Your colors are great and that crown really ended up being the "crowning" piece. Thanks so much for showing us.
I've been needing some new inspiration - haven't done much of anything in awhile. You've started a new flame. :)
Pam
http://alteredmymuse.blogspot.com/
By
Erasmuse, at Mon Jan 28, 02:32:00 AM 2008
This piece is Amazing! I love, love, love it! Kudos to your hubby for saving "stuff" for you too!
By
Moonwillow, at Mon Jan 28, 04:33:00 AM 2008
SO helpful that you showed a "before" picture of the brass findings. Great piece!
By
---MARILYN DAMSCHEN---, at Mon Jan 28, 06:19:00 AM 2008
Stunning! Thanks for the lesson that we shouldn't give up! I love all the texture in this piece. With all those layers, it came together and sings!
By
Karen Owen, at Mon Jan 28, 06:39:00 AM 2008
This piece is so beautiful...she may become my muse for an art piece that I have yet to complete for the last 2 months. Wonderful, exquisite, beautiful...you understand :)!
By
LovinLivinDoinNaturally, at Mon Jan 28, 06:40:00 AM 2008
Aileen,
this is really beautiful! I love the final piece.
Thanks for posting your process for us!
By
shirleymcc, at Mon Jan 28, 07:28:00 AM 2008
Just love the layering, absolutely gorgeous! and the crown is the “feast a resistancé”
By
Inka, at Mon Jan 28, 08:51:00 AM 2008
it turned out beautifully Aileen! so glad you kept at it and shared your process. thanx for the inspiration.
smiles,
Mija
By
Mija, at Mon Jan 28, 09:02:00 AM 2008
this is gorgeous, Aileen! I am so impressed and awed!
By
traypup, at Mon Jan 28, 11:52:00 AM 2008
What a wonderful piece and a gentle reminder to never give up on anything, set it aside and come back to it when the time is right. Thanks for sharing this!
By
wahm922, at Mon Jan 28, 03:20:00 PM 2008
J'adore !! c'est vraiment somptueux !!
By
Anne, bulles dorées, at Tue Jan 29, 09:40:00 AM 2008
I discovered while viewing this piece that like many other works of art, it needs to be viewed at a distance. Not ten yards away (LOL) but not right on top of the screen. Move your chair back and then you will truly begin to appreciate the depth of the piece. Fantastic! :)
Pam
By
Erasmuse, at Tue Jan 29, 02:52:00 PM 2008
Hi, Aileen! This is my first visit to the blog, I think -- or at least the first comment! This is really stunning -- with all the chatter on ATC Group, I had to check it out!
I'm checking back often -- this is really beautiful as are many of the things further down the line!
By
Jeanie, at Wed Jan 30, 02:04:00 PM 2008
Aileen, this is one of the most strikingly beautiful pieces of art I've seen in bloglandia. I love every single detail and the creative journey to your final destination. Awesome! *bows*
Rosie (NGS)
By
Rosie, at Thu Jan 31, 05:03:00 AM 2008
What a gorgeous piece of art. I love the colours, the overall look, the use of metals. Everything about it I love! TFS.
By
Beth Norman, at Fri Feb 01, 04:55:00 PM 2008
I knew you would put that metal stuff to some good use. Your piece looks wonderful. You should be very happy with the outcome.
By
kathy mc, at Fri Feb 01, 08:05:00 PM 2008
Aileen- it's beautiful! What a great job you did of pushing thru to greatness! I love the fact it just makes me want to run my fingers all over it, the texture just pulls you in, and then there is the sweet expression-WOW!
By
The Backporch Artessa, at Thu Feb 07, 09:11:00 AM 2008
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