Sunday, July 24

Under the Sea Challenge!


How can I resist a challenge like this one from DecoArt? I love the sea! There is nothing like heading to the ocean for some dreaming, relaxing and invigorating swimming (or wading). That reminds me, I need to do that soon, but in the meantime, I've had a lot of fun creating about the sea.  

Life Under the Sea


Don't you wonder, I mean really wonder what is down there in the ocean? It is so vast and deep, there must be areas we haven't explored and wonders we have yet to find! I do love to imagine what might be there...mermaids maybe, with lantern fish to light their way, or treasures untold in secret caverns, or tentacled wonders in the dark depths? My mind just spins with ideas like these.


I started my project by adhering my collection of items with a gel medium, and added some texture with the Sand Paste for my ocean bottom.


Next, I put a layer of gesso over everything and let it dry.


I went in to a lot of the areas with Crackle Paint and more sand. My thought was the crackle paint would look like the water when you look up through it and see the sun above and the rippling movement. 


Next, my first layer of paints with my fave Quinacridone Gold, and Cobalt Teal hue.


More fluid acrylics to create the wonderful variation of color you see in the ocean.


Just had to add a touch of Purple Rain and Deep Turquoise.


I added some Shrimp acrylic and Metallic Lustre to highlight certain areas.  

Can you find the "lantern fish"? the "diatom gears"? the "gear jellyfish" with their long tentacles (string)?


I decided I needed some splatters, so added some water to the Rich Espresso Metallic and splatted away. And, it was here at this step that I wasn't sure if I was done yet. I had some pieces cut out that I was thinking of using, but didn't know if I wanted to add them. What do you do when you have a creative dilemma like this? Well, I asked my son for his opinion, and we talked about some ideas, and back to work I went.


A mermaid on a gearfish looking over her undersea realm...


more mermaids emerging from the cave of wonders...


"lantern fish", one with a large eye (watch piece) and a bit of outlining along those flowing tails...


flying fish, jellyfish made from gears with string tentacles...


What a beautiful and mysterious world it is under the sea!


DecoArt Supplies used on this project:

Fluid Acrylics - Quinacridone Gold, Cobalt Teal Blue, Carbon Black, Quinacridone Magenta, Yellow Green Light, and Prussian Blue Hue


Americana Acrylics - Purple Rain, Deep Turquoise, and Shrimp


Media - White Crackle Paint, Texture Sand Paste, and Patina Green Antiquing Cream
Metallics - Rich Espresso paint, and Copper Kettle and Gold Rush Metallic Lustre



I hope you've enjoyed diving under the sea with me, and maybe I've sparked your imagination to join the challenge with me.
Now, I need to make some plans to get to the ocean!

Also entering these challenges:









19 comments:

  1. Amazing work of art...just so beautiful.

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  2. What a fantastic underwater scene you have created Maura! I love how you did the jelly fish tentacles and the lantern fish really did make me smile, I can just imagine them lit up now! The colours are wonderful and just how I imagine under the sea might look, with the blues, greens and hints of gold. Beautiful work! Thanks so much for joining in our Summertime Fun challenge at Anything But Cute. Anne DT xx

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    1. Thank you for the oh, so lovely comment, Redanne!

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  3. SPLENDIDLY STUNNING Maura. WOW. YES - I see your lantern fish - just so INGENIOUS. And your jellyfish are totally SPECTACULAR. Love all the texture and shimmer. Your imagination has created a LUSCIOUSLY LAVISH world of BEAUTY. Thanks bunches for joining our DecoArt Media, Under the Sea challenge. Joi DT

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  4. OMG! Your creations are masterpieces!!!! It's absolutely stunning!!!! You're GREAT!

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    1. Arianna, thank you so much, I really appreciate all of your visits!!

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    2. Oh Maura, you're welcome! It's only my pleasure! :*

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  5. Wow, Maura, you would think you have had first hand experience with being under the sea, because this is absolutely believable and magical all at the same time! I love the use of the found items to create your sea creatures and that amazing cave. What a fabulous imagination you have! I'm so happy you provided some of those lovely closeups to let us see your stunning artwork! Thank you for joining our Summertime Fun challenge at Anything But Cute. Hugs! Sara Emily DT

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    1. Thanks so much Sara! I really have never been under the ocean, except once in a submersible, but I do love to imagine!!

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  6. Loving this its just how you would imagine it to be. well done :-)

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  7. Oh wow, this is absolutely stunning!! The texture and colors are amazing!! I love all of the details you added!! The mermaids are such a fabulous touch!! Love this!! It's so gorgeous!! Thanks so much for playing along at Anything But Cute for our Summertime Fun challenge!!

    Lisa
    A Mermaid's Crafts

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  8. Stunning, love how your created your jelly fish and other sea creatures. Thanks so much for joining on the DecoArt Media Under the Sea Challenge

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  9. Maura, this is amazing and totally clever! Those jellies are the coolest thing ever! Amazing canvas and hope you win the loot at DA! Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us at Anything But Cute & our Summertime Fun challenge. Hugs, Autumn

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  10. Wonderful canvas. Love all the textures and under water creatures. Thanks for joining us in the DecoArt Media Under the Sea Challenge.

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  11. Maura...this is a great interpretation of DecoArt's under the sea challenge! Love your canvas design, the steps you used to create your piece and the finished canvas.

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, it is so appreciated, and I love reading each and every one!

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