Nancy and Audrie brought us a wonderful Etsy site, "Vintage Atmosphere", for our inspiration. I chose item #1 that brought back memories of young childhood, catching fireflies with neighbor children on a warm summer's evening. (When I think about it now, that was rather cruel.) I really don't see that many fireflies these days and wonder if I, my friends and children like us are to blame. ; )
I started with a dark blue shimmer CS since I knew it would be hard to create a bg as dark as I wanted. I used my MS bottle acrylics knowing that watercolors would never work. The acrylics worked well and I got the effect I hoped for. IRL the shimmer of the CS adds something, but my poor photography skills never captured it. : (
TFL
Date: Saturday, August 9, 2014 GMT Views: 4997
Favorited:22
Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 71971
Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 8:53 AM
Sallie, all of your cards are beautiful,but this one really is amazing! Using acrylic paints on paper can be hard to achieve depth....you did it with fantastic results. The shimmer paper really let the paint flow to perfection. Outstanding card!!!! Fav'd. Tfs. My thoughts on the fireflies....wonderful memories of catching them as a child...too bad they are not abundant anymore. I think the problem stemmed from all the nasty pesticides that we used for decades.
You captured my memory of catching lightening bugs when I was a girl. We lived out in the country with no street lights and no close neighbors. The whole yard lit up with lightening bugs on summer evenings. Sallie, this is a gorgeous piece. You created such realistic light and darkness. I love it!!!!!! You should frame it. The
Registered: March 28, 2011 Location: Novi, Michigan Posts: 11833
Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 11:03 AM
Sallie, Wow! I am truly amazed with your card. You certainly captured the fireflies of summer at night - so realistic. I remember those fireflies too, especially seeing them up at our cottage in the summers so long ago (sigh). Just stunning!
Registered: May 2, 2006 Location: Middle of Maryland Posts: 34847
Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 12:07 PM
How wonderful! How creative! I read a quote by someone yesterday to the effect of: "If God can put a light in a firefly's butt, think of how great the light God puts in you must be!" Not the exact words, but you get the meaning.
------------------------------ **************************************** My avatar is "Sushi," a beautiful little Siamese girl!
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50473
Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 1:43 PM
Brilliant card Sallie..you captured the magical quality of the firefly. I actually saw a couple when we had our campfires at the lake last week. I also used to capture them when we were are my grandma's house in WV..we used small jelly jars and poked holes in the top and let them out in the morning..they lit our bedside..
Registered: May 28, 2008 Location: Arnold, Missouri Posts: 15273
Sat, Aug 09, 2014 @ 3:58 PM
Sallie, this is truly AMAZING! Your coloring is magnificent, bringing the light to life from those fireflies. It certainly brings back wonderful childhood memories :-). Great take on your inspiration !
------------------------------ "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8