Left of Center Creative Challenge #81~Theme. "For the Girls"

Hello!

Happy Friday!

Today starts a fun new challenge at Left of Center Creative Challenges. Today is #81 and the theme is For the Girls. Our awesome sponsor is Simply Betty Stamps.

Play with us HERE

As always with our Left of Center Challenges, if the theme does not stir your muse you are most welcome to create anything Dark, Gothic, or whatever you would like to try, maybe a technique new to you, the goal is to play and have fun!

I have always loved the style of the artist known as Finnabair. Recently she has started an open Facebook group and launched some amazing 'get started in mixed media' project called Spread Your Wings on her blog. It features some wonderful how2s and simple prompts to get you started.

A few of my friends have made some projects in this way, and I decided to jump in. It was helpful because I was kinda stuck where to start. So I used Rebecca's start, put down paper strips, tape, paste, just start with texture.

Here we go, I apologize now, there are lots of photos.... :)

This is my canvas it is about 8 inches by 10 inches. The skull graphic is a free image from the Graphics Fairy.

My base is Bristol board. I love how sturdy it is and it is what I had on-hand. I covered it in DecoArt white gesso. I also used my finger to add some swirls and dents into the gesso. Once dry I added dry wall tapes and some string.

To add the color I used the DecoArt Media Misters in Primary Cyan, Shimmer White and Purple. They were misted with some water to make it run and blend.

The next layer I used the DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics Interference blue and purple

The Interference colors are awesome, depending on the angle of view it can have a color shift, which I absolutely love :) I am such a sucker for shine and shimmer! Viewed straight on they are harder to notice.

Next, making the charming part :)  Ahead of time I had made a stash of paper clay charms using Mod Podge Melt molds. The paper clay charms are fun and light weight. The disadvantage is they tend to disintegrate when wet. So I tested a couple spraying them with one coat of DecoArt Mister. there is a blue rose you can see there. It held up really well and did not melt :)  The black dots you see are hot glue dots I made as well.

This step you can cover the charms with gesso or acrylic paint. I used my DecoArt Mister Skimmer White. Just go lightly if using paperclay just in case, you still do not want to saturated them too much. I masked off the face to keep some color away till I was ready there.

Once the spraying was done and dry, I carefully added some Silver Rub n Buff to bring up the texture. The sentiment is Tim Holtz and edged with Distress Ink Peacock Feathers.

Thanks so much for reading along. Please ask if you have any questions! I appreciate it!

Long post, just a reminder I hope to see what you make, share with us at Left of Center Creative Challenges, the theme is For the Girls. See I made this for the girls, a steampunky skelly gal! Can't wait to see your spin on the theme!!

Have a great weekend!

hugs,
~kim


I am also sharing this with and supporting the following challenges:

Finnabair & Friends Open Studio Event on Facebook

Smudgy Antics: June Anything Goes, twist 3 colors

Forever Dark Challenges: First Challenge (awesome ladies!) June Anything Goes

Rhedd's Creative Spirit: June Altered Art/Mixed Media