Mar 17, 2016

Watercolor Collage Canvas for AVJ


Today I have one of the greatest blogging honors, to be featured at A Vintage Journey as a Pinworthy Guest because of my Poinsettia Triptych from the A Vintage Christmas challenge.  The AVJ group of ladies never ceases to amaze and inspire me and I am so thankful for the invitation.  You can find my guest post HERE.  AVJ is celebrating a birthday and for this month's challenge we are all asked to use the same Destination Inspiration travel bag, consisting of:
Substrate – Board (eg - grey board, coaster board, cardboard, chipboard) 
Main Colour – Lilac or pale purple 
Technique – Rust Effects (perhaps using rusting or embossing powders or rust coloured paints) 
Product – Something metal 


So let's get started with my interpretation.  Pardon this night time photo from my studio, but I wanted you to see the watercolor base I created on my canvas.  I puddled color, then spritzed it to move it around and eliminate any hard edges.  I plopped and flecked as I went, letting some areas dribble down and also heat setting between colors.  I used a mix of purples and browns.  I could literally do this all day!


Then I got really excited and took no more photos until the after.  Ha, sorry!  But a lot of closeups should explain...  I embossed in white a text stamp randomly, not pressing the stamp fully and brushing off any powder where a "hard line" formed - these are my highlights.  I also stamped a script stamp in lavender ink to create my lowlights, as well as the black flecks. 


Next I mixed sand based texture paste with rust colored acrylic paint and spackled through Tim's new mini layering stencil.  I really love this floral pattern, especially the dots around the various flowers.  I sprinkled three shades of Distress embossing powder into the paste lightly, just for the gritty texture, then heatset.  This powder doesn't react to heat the same way that regular EP does, so the result was grainy, and rustlike.


For my focal point, I chose Tim's sweet little girl and layered her over a burlap panel and a rusty corrugated panel.  I painted it with brown and rust acrylics, then tapped with embossing ink and lightly sprinkled with the same Distress EPs.


The little girl and her curls reminded me of myself somehow...  I added a section of vintage hymnal, a song that my Grandmother and I would sing together on long nights when I had terrible nosebleeds that seemed endless in those wee hours.  She always helped me and was always cheery and loving in doing so.  Those nights singing with her are some of my fondest memories now.


I went back and added some more flowers through the stencil in white for a little more contrast.


This rusted cardboard reminded me of Sara Emily's fabulous "tin roof" from her AVJ guest post HERE.  Thanks Sara Emily for the awesome inspiration!


Lastly, I attached a few embellishments.  The darkest flower was made using Tim's Tattered Florals Die and kraft paper.  I brushed it with a watery mix of rust paint to give it a little dimension.

53 comments:

Mona Pendleton said...

Such a pretty project Autumn! Love the inky background and the rusty cardboard! Congrats on the feature! Well deserved!

kiwimeskreations said...

This is so beautiful - love how you used the paints on the base... one day, I tell myself, I will have a go!! The embossing, and corrigated card, the image and flowers make for a beautiful result.
Blessings
Maxine

Susan (rainy) said...

This is stunning! The watercolor background you created is absolutely amazing!! LOVE.

Mimi said...

Very pleasing colors... Well played! I've not tried Distress EP... Looks like it accomplished that rusty look! Awesome. Really appreciate the fact that the lyrics are tied to a family story :) you should sharpie that on the reverse :)

Vintagehandmade said...

Congrats on the well deserved feature, Autumn! I love the way how you did the background and that rusty cardboard is awesome! What a beautiful combination of purple and brown tones! Brilliant design! I absolutely love it! Big hugs! Branka xx

Brenda Brown said...

This is utterly delightful Autumn, I love how you have used the contents of the travel bag and pulled this wonderful canvas together. Thanks for sharing your amazing creative talent with us at AVJ.
hugs Brenda xxx

Helen Wallace said...

An enchanting piece of art. Love the softness you've achieved. Congrats on the feature.

Unknown said...

First, just have to say BIG CONGRATS sweet girl on your Pinworthy Guest spot on AVJ. In my mind - that's a GREAT honor. I am sooo soooo soooo proud of you. HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!

And secondly - WOW WOW WOW - you must have totally stunned all of AVJ with your INCREDIBLY FABULOUS creation Autumn. This is just MARVELOUS. As my Daddy used to say... I'm just bustin' my button (swelled with pride) for you. Much love, j.

sarascloset said...

Autumn, my sweetest friend! You have done an absolutely amazing job with the contents of AVJ's travel bag! Your watery background is so, so, SO pretty, and as for your rusted corrugate, I think you have taken my inspiration and taken it up 100%! Love it and your crusty flowers! Thank you for the sweet shout out, but it is you who inspires ME! Congratulations on your GDT spot; AVJ is so blessed to have you! Big hugs!

Redanne said...

This is such a stunning project to help us celebrate our 2nd birthday Autumn! I love all those drips you created at the beginning and the white embossing stands out beautifully. The corrugated card is so beautifully rusted and the little girl image is such a wonderful addition to your gorgeous canvas! Love this! Hugs, Anne xx

Olenkaja said...

Beautiful project!

Petra Swart said...

Congrats, Autumn!!! This is sooooooo beautiful!!!! I love the purples with the brown!!! Such wonderful texture and details!!!! What a great project!!!
Have a great day!!!!
Hugz

Deb said...

Absolutely gorgeous Autumn, fabulous colours and love all the drips and textures, the rusted corrugated card is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at A Vintage Journey and congratulations on your guest designer post! Deb xo

Deb said...

Back again wearing my DT hat for Mixed Media Mojo, thank you so much for joining us this month! Deb xo

Paper Profusion said...

I loved this from the first peek Avril. A beautiful artwork with truly stunning design. Nicola x

Lisa said...

Congratulations on your guest design spot!! Your project is stunning!! The layers are fabulous!! I love the rusted corrugated cardboard and the drips!! It's amazing!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Ann Chuang Crafts said...

Congrats, Autumn! I love this canvas!! So beautiful color and texture ! Love all the details!!
Hugs,
Ann

Jannet said...

This is so very very beautiful !

Thank you for sharing it with us and many congratulations on your success!

Candy C said...

Hi Autumn!! It's so good to see you again. I love your art! This piece really grabs me as I love vintage. Your dripped background is really nice and I so love how you've used the corrugated paper, lace and metal. Congratulations on your guest design spot and thanks for sharing your lovely piece with all of us at Creative Carte Blanche!

Maggie said...

Gorgeous canvas using the travel bag so well, Love it!
MaggieH

froebelsternchen said...

A wonderful piece is this!
Just bEAUTIFUL!
oxo
Susi

Pamellia said...

Absolutely gorgeous Autumn! I love how you used the elements from the Triple Trouble challenge, and the addition of the pink in the background is so dreamy! Congrats on your guest spot, you deserve the spotlight! hugs and happy weekend :)

toni said...

This is gorgeous Autumn! Love the colours and mix of different textures, lovely! Toni xx

crafty-stamper said...

Absolutely gorgeous love the background and all the fabulous texture and the rusty cardboard looks brilliant -congrats on your GDT
Carol x

My Side of Oz said...

I love these layouts they are so gorgeous! That wash of color is fabulously effective! Thanks for sharing with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month! Nanette, DT

Unknown said...

I love this piece!! Stunning

Unknown said...

Beautiful +++

Cocofolies said...

I love this canvas Autumn!!!
This is so beautiful!... Love the textures, the little girl, the colours, and the rusted texture over TH stencil, your hand-made flowers (gorgeous) and the great way you have arranged everything.. Congratulations for your guest spot! :D
Hugs, Coco xx

Yvonne said...

Autumn, this is magnificent! The texture, the colors, everything....I love every little detail! Thank you for joining in at CCB!

Meihsia Liu said...

This is such a beautiful creation, Autumn. The watercolored background and all the embellishments are gorgeous. :)

Curls N Twirls said...

This is Gorgeous Autumn !! Congrats on the Guest DT @ AVJ . I loved the beautiful Girl Stamp as the center piece . Drooling over the drips and drools made on the background .. I can keep seeing this for the whole day !!!
xoxo
Remya

Susan said...

This is such a gorgeous canvas, Autumn! I love the colors and composition! Your attention to detail is amazing! I never would have thought to make the corrugated cardboard look like rust - what a great idea! I am so glad you shared with us at Creative Carte Blanche! We look forward to seeing more of your work!

http://blog.timetocreate.com.au/ said...

WHat a lovely piece. We appreciate you sharing with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit.

Lula said...

Such a beautiful piece ( as always) Autumn!
Love the design, great colours and your attention to details!
Thanks for sharing it with us at Mixed Media Mojo this time.
Hugs from Lula

craftytrog said...

Gorgeous! That's one of my favourite TH images! xx

Words and Pictures said...

Absolutely charming, Autumn - what a wonderful way of combining the contents of the travel bag to create a perfect vintage piece. Wonderful inky effects in the background, and I just love the resist and rusty flowers - amazing!
Alison x

Cheryl Grigsby said...

I absolutely love this one, Autumn. The composition is so artistic the way your beautiful background highlights your focal point and the focal point draws you in. Perfectly accented and balanced. So lovely. SO glad you've shared and joined us at Creative Carte Blanche!

Juliz Design Post said...

Truly stunning project Autumn with fantastic attention to detail. Congrats on being GD with AVJ. Love your canvas and wonderful artistic talent.
Hugs, Julie x

MaryH said...

This is one of your best to date I think (I know I say that every time!) I enjoy reading the process nearly as much as I enjoy the finished project too. So many splendid & effective techniques on this one (and I loved the story of the hymnal paper). The corrugated background is so dimensional combined with the other elements, and your background on this canvas is truly magnificent. The colors look marvelous with the browns & sepias of the embellies and paper additions. Well done, and you were a terrific choice to join in this team. TFS & Have a wonderful week.

Pawsitively Creative said...

Huge congrats on your Pinworthy guest spot! Awesome sauce! This design sure showcases why you are Pinworthy but all of your designs are amazing. Fantabulous use of the DI travel bag. Love the splatters and the textures and the contrast of your cardboard with the watercolor background! Wowzers! Such a treasure! Hugz! ~Niki

Sammy said...

Oh wow, this is simply stunning. Gorgeous colour and layout. Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy-x

Candy C said...

Autumn...oh my gosh! I STILL love this piece so much when I see it! I wanted to stop by really quickly and thank you for the sweet comment you left on my blog about the art we are seeing at Creative Carte Blanche. It's so fun to share other people's art and experiences. I am a huge fan of your art!!! :)

Unknown said...

So gorgeous! I love it.

Unknown said...

This is so gorgeous! I love the rope bindings, the blend of colours and patterns. I would love my photo journal to look like this

hazel said...

A beautiful project, the background is fabulous, thank you for sharing it with us at Mixed Media Mojo.
xxx Hazel.

A Pink said...

Totally Gorgeous! Autumn You really have won my heart with this piece . Just love how you have combined all the products and techniques to create such a beautiful piece of Art . You are one very talented lady hugs x

Tanja said...

such a beautiful canvas - I especially love those pretty flowers - thanks for joining us at the Happy Little Stampers Mixed Media Challenge

Annette Green said...

I absolutely LOVE that rusted corrugated effect and will certainly be doing that myself. What an incredibly beautiful piece. So happy you joined us at Creative Carte Blanche!

Claire said...

Wow what a gorgeous project, absolutely stunning! Thanks so much for joining us at We Love 2 Create this time
Claire xx

Maria said...

What a great canvas! So pretty and love the details! Thanks so much for playing along with Mixed Media Mojo!

Art By Wanda said...

Love this!!!

Unknown said...

So pretty!!!

Maura said...

Beautiful canvas, love your use of the lace, cardboard and metal!

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