Sacred Heart 'Shrine'

Hello loves!  How is everyone handling the quarantine?
I have this gorgeous Sacred Heart stencil from Artist Cellar that reminds me of the beautiful Mexican Folk Art shrines.  I'm not really religious, but I love the bright colors and skulls so I decided to create my own version in my Dina Wakley Journal.
You will have to forgive me. I wasn't the best about taking pictures during this whole process. I started out by choosing several back to back pages that I could use to create my journal shrine.  I cut off the tops of the first two pages in a triangle design, leaving the last page to print my stencil on.   I created a vignette so that my stencil would show thru when the pages lay on top one another.

I embellished the front denim 'cover' with paint, stitching, and interesting ribbon.  No rhyme or reason, I didn't have a plan in mind, I just knew I wanted lots of color and skulls.  The second page was glued to the denim to give it more structure and to cover up the thread.

For the stenciled page, I made sure to mark the opening from the first pages so that I knew where to center my stencil. I watercolored a soft green background and painted the inside portion of the heart (which I eventually cover up later on!🤣).  I wanted different mediums in each part of the stencil, so I used painter's tape to 'block off' sections as I worked.

I used red glitter paste in the heart and gold crackle in the crown and rays.  I decided to add some gold leaf flakes on the rays while the crackle paste was still wet and GENTLY pressed them down so I wouldn't distort the pattern.  It looked like a hot mess & I had no idea if the flakes would even stick!

After letting the crackle paste dry overnight, I used a stiff paint brush to scrub away the excess flakes. This is a messy step but I love how it turned out!

After adding some final embellishments with stickers, stamps, and microbeads, this baby was done & I think it turned out really cool!

I wish I was a better photographer so I could showcase the sparkly glitter and the sheen from the gold leaf.  Have you attempted a technique that you weren't sure would be successful?  I would love to hear about it, so drop by the Artist Cellar FB page and say Hi!

Stay safe (& 6' away!😉),
Kitty

Artist Cellar and the gelli plate

Stencils + gelli plate = perfect combo!!
I busted out the gelli plate today with my Artist Cellar stencils and some random acrylic paints.  Good grief its addicting!!  I like to print on deli paper because of its translucency and its easy to tear for collage.
I picked one of my favorite prints I created to use today.  I used Star Flower from the Artist Cellar quilt series and pulled multiple prints on the same piece.

I used matte medium to stick the deli paper down in my new Dina Wakley Blue Journal.  The geometric design reminded me of large flowers, so I lightly sketched in petals around each 'point' of the quilt pattern.

I painted a watery navy-blueish color around the flowers, still wanting some of the patterning to show thru...but think I might've been a little heavy handed.

Once completely dry, I added rough, messy outlines in black and white, not truly adhering to the exact shape of each petal.  A blob of paint in the center and TADAH! A colorful, abstract garden.

What are your favorite stencils to use on the gelli plate?  I would love to learn some new techniques, so stop by the Artist Cellar Facebook group and share your prints with us!

Until next time,
Kitty

Painterly Faces

Hello everyone!  I recently watched a YouTube video by the very talented Tamara Laporte (click her name to access the video).  She created a mixed media portrait in a loose, painterly style that I just love, so I figured I'd take a stab at it!
Using several different ink sprays in varying warm colors, I started my background with the gorgeous Arabian Nights Celestial stencil from Artist Cellar.

Next, I added some texture paste thru the same stencil. To give myself a heads start (ha!), I used matte medium to apply a Dina Wakley collage face to the background.  I love how you can still see the beautiful stencil design thru the tissue.

Next it was a matter of playing with a few caucasian flesh tones to add several layers of highlights and shadow.   Below are a few pics of the progression...

I'm pretty happy with how she turned out!!  I stuck with mostly cool tones to pop against the background, and I love the bright orange and yellow on her face.  Also the stencil texture is still visible under the paint and that is super cool!

Thanks for visiting with me today!  Come say hi to us over on Facebook!

Kitty

Artist Cellar Design Team!!

This is my first post as an Artist Cellar design team member!  So excited and honored to be a part of this awesome group.
I would guesstimate that in my artwork, I mainly use stencils to create easy backgrounds and as templates for doodling.  Artist Cellar has tons of amazing designs that are unique from most other 'cookie-cutter' stencils found on the mainstream sites.
I used Sea Fan, from the Coral Series, to help create an interesting background for my 6x6 journal.

I used a couple different colors of green acrylic and a cheapo make-up sponge and stenciled in opposite directions for variation.  I then used the blunt end of the same sponge to creating interesting blobs (that's the technical term😉) in contrasting colors.

After adding a few splatters, I added some brightly colored stamped images as a focal point and... VIOLA!  A bright, fun page with minimal effort.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today!   I'll be posting more soon, and would love to see what YOU create so tag me and lets share ideas!!!

Kitty

Bright Yellow Challenges

Hello beautiful creatives!  Today I'm posting my entry for the Simon Says Wednesday challenge and the Lindy Stamp Gang September Color challenge.

I used the Dina Wakley Media journal with it's awesome watercolor paper. I'm serious, this journal can take anything you can throw at it without breaking down. And it's a great size!  I used sprays and stencils for the background, coloring a little texture paste with Lindy's magicals for that BRIGHT pop of yellow.  The image and sentiment are from Stampotique Originals.  Originally, the faces were getting a little lost on that colorful background, so I added some cheesecloth behind the profiles to make them pop.  I think it worked pretty well AND added some texture--Win Win!!👍
Thanks so much for stopping by!  Lindy's, Simon Says Stamp, and Stampotique all run monthly challenges with prizes, so make sure you check them out. Specific materials are linked below.

Lindy's Jazzy Jivin' Purple spray
Lindy's Yodeling Yellow Magical Shaker
Stampotique Originals stamp, "Hunny"
Stampotique Originals sentiment "Phrase Cube 6"

Lindy's Bright Fall September Challenge

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Hope you have a fantasy week!

Kitty

New Stampotique Originals!

It's the beginning of the month, and that means NEW, FANTASTIC stamps from Stampotique!!  Lots of spooky, costumed figures this month--perfect for your Halloween projects.  Click this link  to see all the August goodies!!

I used a couple new stamps for one of my design team contributions this month.  The cutie patootie witch is called Happy Witch (fitting, right?!😋) and her flying compadre is Spider Dog.  I changed his costume from spider to devil, just wanting a contrasting pop of color.  The bat and pumpkins are also from Stampotique, aren't they precious!?
Just a reminder, we have an open challenge over at the Stampotique Facebook Group with biweekly prompts and prizes.  I would LOVE to see your artwork so come check us out! 

Kitty

Exciting Stampotique News!

Sooo I can finally post my exciting news!  I am on the design team for Stampotique Originals this year!! Eeeeee!! 😁 I'm truly honored to be among the amazing talent on the team.
If you are unfamiliar with Stampotique ,  they have the quirkiest wood-mounted images on the market.  If you think outside the box and are interested in unique gothic and cheeky designs, check us out! We feature themed challenges with a monthly prize on the blog AND the Facebook group.  Always lots of awesome inspiration and positivity in our social media groups so pop over and check it out.
Stampotique releases new stamps every month (except December) and June's are FANTABULOUS (check them out). One in particular is perfect to incorporate into your planner, bullet journal, sketch journaling, travel planner... you get the idea. 

The new Frames Cube has 4 decorative squares that makes labeling and/or framing cute and fun.  Aren't these planner pages adorable?  Make sure you check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for more inspiration--This stamp is so versatile, its a must have!
Thanks for stopping by today so I could share my good news!  Come say hi on the Stampotique social media groups, I've listed all the links below.  We would love to see you!

Stampotique Originals- https://www.stampotique.com/
Stampotique Blog- https://stampotiquedesignerschallenge.blogspot.com/
Stampotique FB Group- https://m.facebook.com/groups/47241351547?tsid=0.9938767062351817&source=result
Stampotique Instagram- https://instagram.com/stampotiquedesignteam?igshid=ysx2iv9qaz0k