I am having so much fun playing around with mixed media for the mixability challenges. This week Dina put together a video for us on water techniques so I pulled out some water and started to play. I had been playing on a different piece and ended up with a puddle of water with glorious green reinker on my piece of plastic so I smashed my piece of paper between the plastic to get a base of green (note to self-even if it looks safe, put on gloves!). I then tried the dripping water color technique with a paintbrush, water and reinker drops adding gable green and baja breeze. I spattered some Island Indigo and also ran a brush with water and the Indigo along the top. As I was working, I thought I saw a tree shape forming at the bottom so I was adding some brush strokes in that area when suddenly a face started appearing. I added some brown streaks and then used some midnight muse around the outline. I spritzed the top again with plain water before stamping my words. I was thinking about how we all struggle to figure out who we are. We have had a rash of suicides at the high school in our small town with 3 attempts on one day a couple of weeks ago. The Casting Crowns song came to mind and there you have it. I'm not sure where this will end up. I haven't started an art journal yet, but this may end up being my first page! Thanks again to those who're stretching us with these fun challenges!
Date: Saturday, February 23, 2013 GMT Views: 645
Favorited:4
Registered: March 31, 2008 Location: Eastlake, OH Posts: 22598
Sat, Feb 23, 2013 @ 3:48 PM
I smile at your experimentation because that truly is the fun of stamping! Love the abstract art you created and the thoughts behind it! Thanks for sharing and I surely will check out that video!
Registered: June 14, 2009 Location: Keller, Texas Posts: 8597
Sat, Feb 23, 2013 @ 5:04 PM
A unique creation that takes on real meaning after reading your description/story. So sad about the teens who think there is no other way out than suicide. I do hope the Lord gets them help to see that there is always hope. TFS
------------------------------ Val (a/k/a Greywolf)
Splitcoast Artist in Residence Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Mix-Ability Challenge Hostess
Registered: October 19, 2004 Location: Warsaw, MO Posts: 17008
Sat, Feb 23, 2013 @ 8:59 PM
Wow - I love that you described your process through the creation of this piece... I love that art and especially (for some reason) mixed-media art gives us a platform for expressing our emotions and wonders in the form of colors and drips and textures, and sometimes happy accidents. Thanks so much for playing along!!
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: October 5, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 15790
Sat, Feb 23, 2013 @ 9:44 PM
Wow- this is so unique! Love the colors and the explanation of your process....so sad to hear about so many young people feeling that they have no other recourse than suicide...may the Lord touch their hearts with His love and may they realize that they are precious in His sight.
Registered: April 14, 2009 Location: in my own little PINK sparkly world Posts: 12150
Sun, Feb 24, 2013 @ 7:34 AM
love the happy accident of this wonderful piece...luckily watercolors are easier to get off cuz I've had quite colorful fingers too...teehee....I think you should frame this or make a poster of it. I think considering the sad events lately, it might be a great conversation starter for support groups and/or counseling. God bless you..
Registered: October 3, 2009 Location: In a state of grace Posts: 10850
Sun, Feb 24, 2013 @ 2:40 PM
Gail this just jumped out of the MM gallery at me. Thank you for sharing your creative journey with this piece and the tie-in to your community. We forget how very hard it is to be young sometimes and how a permanent solution seems (to them) the only way out of a temporary problem. Prayers for wisdom for those young people, gratitude for you being part of this community.
------------------------------ MarieMy time is not mine to have, but mine to share