Tutorial ~ Printemps Paris Giclee Knockoff

I've been asked to do a tutorial of my Printemps Paris Giclee knockoff.  My method is simple and very cost-effective.  I mean, how many of us have $400 laying around to splurge on a piece of artwork when you can create it yourself for less than a tenth of the price? 

Here's what you need to get started:

• gallery wrapped artist canvas in the size of your choice
• vintage ephemera or copies of different documents you want to use for the background (sheet music, handwritten letters, ledger paper, etc.)
• color butterfly printouts (The Graphics Fairy)
• scissors
• Mod Podge
• paintbrush
• white or ivory acrylic paint
• paper towels, ink pad, sponge, etc.

First, place the artist canvas on your work surface.  I tend to work standing up to get a better view of what I am creating.  Next, choose the vintage ephemera or documents you want to use for the background.  Begin tearing the paper to create a torn edge.

Don't be afraid to tear your paper. Find interesting sections to feature.

Tear paper in all different shapes and sizes.

Place the torn pieces of paper on the canvas.  Layer the paper strips to create interest.  This step takes the longest as you play around with the placement.  Once you are happy with the arrangement, take a photo for reference when recreating the look as you adhere the pieces of paper to the canvas with Mod Podge using a paintbrush.  When you have completed adhering the background to the canvas, cut out the butterflies for placement on the background.  Again, play around with the placement before adhering the butterflies to the canvas.

Layer. Layer. Layer.

Play around with the paper.  What arrangement looks best?

Use Mod Podge to adhere paper to canvas

Cut out butterflies

Don't forget to take a photo for reference!

Almost done

Next, dilute some white or ivory colored acrylic paint with water to create a wash.  Brush areas of the background with the wash to create lighter areas; leave other areas alone.  This creates dimensions and interest to your collage.  For some areas, liberally apply the wash and dry by pressing a paper towel on top.  Remove the paper towel and reveal the texture that is left behind.  You can try using a sponge or other items to create this effect.  If you would rather have a vintage, grungy background, use an ink pad in a sepia color around the edges of your collage.

Notice the lighter and darker areas in the detailed photo above



Look closely and you will see the texture left behind by using the paper towel technique

When you are happy with the result, seal the collage with a coat of Mod Podge in a matte finish.  Add picture wire to the back of the canvas.  And Voila!  You have created an original piece of artwork for your home. 

One Week From Today

One week from today, I will be in sunny Florida attending my first art workshop event, Marie Danse des Fleurs.  This is a treat to myself, sort of my last hurrah before baby girl arrives. I am so excited I cannot wait!!!  I've been working feverishly on some tags for a tag swap, my Marie-inspired shoes and wig.  I would have worked on a more elaborate costume if I wasn't nearly 8 months pregnant. I am looking forward to meeting new friends who are creative and are just as inspired by Marie Antoinette as I am.  I'm looking forward to being surrounded by so much creativity and of course the 70+ degree weather.  Hallelujah!!!   

  

Made ~ Marie Antoinette Bookmark

I'm participating in a bookmark swap over at Little Messy Missy.  After reading The Other Boleyn Girl, my passion for history was renewed so I was inspired.  I decided to create a bookmark in honor of Marie Antoinette.  I used some flocked paper that was made in India, some scrapbooking paper and images from Narry and The Graphics Fairy.  Here is the end result.  Tres chic, don't you think?

 

A Maid Marian Made Migration ~ Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Sunday morning I was in Minneapolis I set out for a three-mile walk (round trip) to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden in search of the city's iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry.  Located adjacent to the Walker Art Center, the Sculpture Garden is the largest urban sculpture garden in the United States.  A leisurely stroll through the gardens allow you an up close and personal look at nearly 40 permanent sculptures including some by Henry Moore.  The garden also has tons of robins, orioles and finches flying about. 

Henry Moore, Reclining Mother and Child, 1960-1961

The day I went was overcast and misty so the Spoonbridge and Cherry wasn't as vibrant as the photos I seen but it was still an impressive sculpture to see.

Claes Oldenburg & Coosje Van Bruggen, Spoonbridge and Cherry, 1985-1988

 

Made ~ Silhouette Plaques

Silhouettes are in vogue right now. I have always love the simplicity of the artwork. I was inspired by an article I saw in Victoria magazine to create my own silhouettes for my master bedroom. First, I bought these frames at a neighbor's yard sale for $5. As you can see, she wanted six dollars for them but I bargained with her because I bought several other items.

I removed the glass fronts that were wallpapered with bucolic scenes and painted the brass frames with American Accents in Espresso.

Next, I covered the frame backs with burlap that I trimmed to size and adhered using Spray Mount. Then, I took profile photos of my husband and me, printed them out and used a copier to get the right size silhouette for the frames. I cut out the silhouette from the copier paper and traced it onto brown cardstock. I meticulously cut out the silhouettes from the brown cardstock and adhered them to the burlap using more Spray Mount. Now, we have customized artwork in our master bedroom for under $10. And my husband thinks they're awesome.  Cool!  Now I just need to hang them.

I've also linked up to Show and Tell at My Romantic Home.  http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

Oh, Georgia!

I recently watched Georgia O'Keeffe, a Lifetime original movie I DVRed the weekend we were in Alabama visiting family. Being a working mom and traveling a bit more than usual, it took me a while to get around to watching this biopic. I've always been a huge fan of Georgia O'Keeffe. She is by far my favorite artist, next to Monet.

After watching the movie, I remembered something I had thought about before and have found intriguing. I find it a bit coincidental that my life has taken me to several places that were of some importance in Georgia O'Keeffe's life.

First of all, I lived in Amarillo, Texas for a couple of years during middle school. Georgia taught in the public schools there from 1912-1914 and at West Texas State Normal College in Canyon in 1916.

I also lived in Columbia, SC for many years and had the opportunity to study at Columbia College where she once taught in 1915. Instead I chose to go to the University of South Carolina to pursue a degree in public relations management. I am still kicking myself for not pursuing my degree in studio art. Thinking I would starve for the rest of my life, I chose a more sensible career field that came with a regular paycheck.

I visited New York City many times while my mom lived there for nearly 20 years. I visited all the major art museums there several times to view Georgia's paintings over and over again.

In 2007 and 2008, I was enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in Madison for a six-week management program. I was excited to be so near Georgia O'Keeffe's birthplace in Sun Prairie, where she was born in 1898. I thought that the Chazen Art Museum would have a few of her paintings. I was disappointed to see only one. Come on people! One of the most prolific female artists of all time was born less than 20 miles away and you only have one painting of hers on display. What a letdown!

Once on vacation I visited O'Keeffe Country (Taos area) in New Mexico and understand her desire to live there. It's one of the most beautiful places in the country that I have had the opportunity to see. If you haven't been to the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, you need to. It is the only museum in the world dedicated to a woman artist. The museum has over 1,100 of her paintings, drawings and sculptures that are displayed on a rotating basis. You will always see something new each time you visit.

I have yet to visit Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu and Lake George, NY but I hope to one day. They are on my list of places to see.

Getting back to the movie. The movie itself was well done. Joan Allen gave a wonderful performance as Georgia O'Keeffe. I especially liked the scene where she paints the mural at Radio City Music Hall. And Jeremy Irons was brilliantly cruel as Alfred Stieglitz, O'Keeffe's husband. I recommend watching it. It will leave you with the urge to create! All I can say is...Oh, Georgia!