This week finds me in the Top 4 of the My Favorite Things Stamping Idol competition. I am honored.
For this week's competition, we were to create something that was pink and brown, as well as pay tribute to an inspirational woman.
As a stamp artist (and I imagine you'll agree), there is no bigger inspiration than Mother Nature herself. As artists, we CASE her all the time. I thought it would be a great tribute to honor the colorful palette she provides us with everyday.
I decided to make a sketch book for myself as a stamper. I often collect pictures of Mother Nature that inspire me, and then like to try my hand at creating something from those pictures. I thought it would be nice to have a book, where I could put my photos in that I find and have a corresponding page made from Neenah Solar Crest White Paper so I can "have-a-go" at the element of nature that I am observing/studying.
The book was constructed using a Bind-It-All with Owire, chipboard, and patterned paper. All stamped images are all from My Favorite Things, using the sets Ride 'Em Cowgirl, Nature Calls, Bundles of Bouquets, Build a Bouquet, It's A Jungle Out There, and Anne LaPointe Lavender. The photos from the pages I have tested this sketch book are some of my personal favorites found all over the internet. See my blog for photo credits. Throughout the book are quotes I have about the relationship between Nature and Art.
Cover of Book~I hand drew an artist's palette and created the colors available from images from Nature. Sentiment was computer generated.
In case you can't read the quotes from the photos:
Inside Cover~“I devour nature ceaselessly. I exaggerate, sometimes I make changes in the subject; but still I don't invent the whole picture. On the contrary, I find it already there. It's a question of picking out what one wants from nature.”
Vincent van Gogh
Lion~“The Louvre is a good book to consult, but it must only be an intermediary. The real and immense study that must be taken up is the manifold picture of nature.”
Paul Cezanne
Floral~
“The big artist... keeps an eye on nature and steals her tools.”
Thomas Eakins
Moose~
“An artist struggles to capture what nature effortlessly creates.”
Brian M. LaSaga
Desert~
“Art will never be able to exist without nature.”
Pierre Bonnard
Various patterned paper, colored cardstock, punches, and ribbon were used to create this book. Coloring of images are with Copic markers. Scenes were created with brayer and sponge using various dye inks. If you have a question about a particular page, please PM me and I'll be happy to share the details.
I hope you like my Stamping/Sketch Book and that you'll participate in the voting beginning at 10 pm tonight in the MFT forum.
More on my blog, if interested:
scarletandgray.blogspot.com
Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009 GMT Views: 709
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Registered: May 16, 2007 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 41328
Tue, May 05, 2009 @ 7:22 PM
Kecia~ WHEN will you cease to AMAZE ME???? Sheesh GF!!!! Your inspiration piece and TOTALLY ORIGINAL and down right worthy inspirational "woman" is FANTASTIC!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!! Good Luck my Friend, SO glad we have *met*
