What Does a Gal with a Gelli Plate do?

I had a beautiful summer day recently, and had to try out my new DecoArt Premium Acrylics and some new Neons I had recently gotten. So, I packed everything up, took it out onto my deck, and laid down a big sheet of paper on the table, and started playing. I wanted to try to make my own washi tape with the gelli plate. 

I started by laying down some Dina Wakley Media tape onto a sheet of deli paper.

Using my gelli plate and a brayer, I added the first layer of lovely blues and greens. I am loving the new Premium paints - very smooth!

Adding in a stamped layer with one of Nathalie Kalbach's Art Foamies.

A cosmetic sponge and neutrals work beautifully with some Carabelle Studio stencils to add another layer. 

Decided to try out my Neons and add in a bit with these masks. (Carabelle Studio)

Time to pop it up with some bright white and the flower stencil. (Carabelle Studio)

I used a lot of the same materials to make this gelli print on a piece of deli paper.

I used some of my washi tape for an art journal page. I will have to come up with a way to use the strips left on the deli paper too.

I also monoprinted a number of sheets of paper, since it was such a lovely afternoon to be outside, and I wanted to try out my new paints. I added some stamping on these sheets.

Some stenciling on these....

...and combined my prints into an art journal page along with these great book stamps from Darkroom Door and a bit of Quinacridone Gold.

Here is the full page, which I made for my Wanderlust 2017 class. My idea was to make the washi tape look like book shelves (for the most part). As you can see, I combined paper I mrnoprinted with the washi tape.

I will definitely set up my "outdoor studio" on the deck on another lovely day this summer, and get out my gelli plate and paints to play - I highly recommend it!! 

Wanderlust: Inspired by Amanda Grace

I've recently finished a class with Amanda Grace of Pilgrim Soul in my Wanderlust journey, and wanted to share what I created based on her inspiration. 

Let me just say, this particular creative journey took a sharp turn in the road, when the first photo I tried the packing tape transfer method with did not turn out well - I think I was a bit overenthusiastic in my scrubbing. So, I had to find another printed photo and came across this one of my mom and two sisters and had a brand new approach.

I started by writing down some memories of this photo in large letters, vertically on my page, then covered them lightly with paint.

I was trying to create a tropical vibe to my colors, and after I had the base down, I dripped blue and yellow from opposite ends, and left some thick blobs in there for texture, that I went back into and did some inscribing.

Once that dried, time to stamp in some designs with black ink, using Seth Apter's new border stamps, and Birgit Koopsen's Punchanella stamp.

Time for some fluid acrylics over the stamped layer, blending with fingers and baby wipes.

Here is the result of my second packing tape transfer photo. Basically, you apply packing tape onto a photo printed on copy paper, trim it and soak it in warm water for about ten minutes, then start rubbing the paper off of the back. As you can see with this one, I think I still rubbed too much, but it is useable.

I adhered the picture with Ultra Matte Varnish, added in strips of masking tape, a bit more paint, and some stamped borders, as well as the stamped sun from Paper Artsy.

Wrote my thoughts in white, and added some white highlights, and thought I was done.

Final thought was to add in some vertical words, and I like that. Done!

It was great to think back to travel adventures I had with these three while my Mom was alive. Now, these sisters and I travel to a destination each year to get together, and remember our Mom.

  

SUPPLIES:

DecoArt:  

Americana Acrylic Paints - Sunny Day, Snow White, Deep Turquoise, Shrimp, Pink Tropics

Fluid Acrylics -Cobalt Turquoise Hue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Cadmium Orange Hue

Mediums - Ultra Matte Varnish

Stamps:

Seth Apter Spotlights and Border Lines

Carabelle Studio Punchanella

Paper Artsy ETS01

Other:

Ranger Jet Black Archival Ink, brush, mister Dylusians 8x8 journal, white pen, baby wipes, packing and masking tape

Wanderlust 2017 Mandala

I am happily back in my Wanderlust class again for the year. 2016 was great, and I am really looking forward to what this year will bring! I was inspired by the class by Mary Anne Wangerin to try and paint my own mandala (of sorts). It also gave me a chance to try out some techniques with my DecoArt paints. 

It's been pretty overcast and grey for much of the winter here, and that has me reaching for bright, cheery colors.

Getting messy with the paints...here I am working on top of a "junk" sheet of paper that I use to spray on and wipe paint off onto. These often turn into papers that I can later use in projects, and are a mix of paints and mediums I would have never knowingly put together. 

My page is going into my Wanderlust 2017 journal, but since I knew this would be a messy process, I cut a piece of watercolor paper to work on separately, and will put it in once dried. 

Next step, adding some drips!

Next color layer and some stenciling with white, using Andy Skinner's Shedded stencil.

More drips...

Next I adhered tissue wrap and vintage paper bits with Matte Medium.

I did a lot of finger painting over the papered layer, then pulled out one of my favorite DecoArt stencils - Whirlpool with Carbon Black. May I just say, that the paint is still on my hands in spots several days later, and that is after washing, washing and being in the pool. Sometimes, I do wonder what people think when I am out in public with painty hands. (not that I really care, lol)

Adding some stamped images with Andy Skinner Steampunk set, and Archival ink.

I doodled and added in words and put it into my journal.

Time flows onward...