Sep 5, 2016

Mixed Media Canvas Art with Personal Photos

canvas 1

I am just so excited to share our latest challenge at Anything But Cute with you.  Our amazing hostess Branka has chosen the theme Friendship.  She says, "Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people. We want you to show us a mixed media creation that's inspired by friendship. You can create anything, from tags to art journal pages but make sure it's a mixed media piece. Let's celebrate friendship together!"  


Before I share the details of my project, let me just say how thankful I am for the friendship I've found in this team.  These girls are so important to me and I am so thankful to share their friendship and artistic inspiration.  <3

canvas 2

I found this uniquely shaped canvas at Michael's and decided to do an "off the page" wall art project.  I created my background by applying stencil paste through a Prima damask stencil, then pooling and splashing watercolors over it.  I embellished with Prima flowers, a Prima doily die, ribbon, twine, and a Tim Holtz word die.  What a simple project!  If you’re new to mixed media this would be a great starter project!  Either way, I hope you’re inspired to play along with our challenge by creating a mixed media project with the friendship theme.

canvas 4

canvas 5

I was inspired to create a gift for my BFF, Trish.  Trish came to the first day of kindergarten crying and was only consoled when she looked up and saw a familiar face, mine!  She and I had been in vacation Bible school together that summer.  Though I was too young to remember either of these events, my life is filled with memories of our great friendship.

canvas 7

She has been my best bud through thick and thin and has always been there for me.  We’ve spent our entire lives together and are more like sisters than friends.

canvas 9

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26 comments:

Mac Mable said...

Such a pretty and delicate project and what a personal and wonderful story to your friendship. Thank you for sharing this gorgeous project x

brenda said...

Such a beautiful fusion of colours Autumn.

B x

Pamellia said...

Wow Autumn, what an amazing canvas! Those colours are so bright and cheery and it is such a 'pretty mess'! Your words about our team has me a touch choked up this morning, friendship and inspiration go hand in hand with knowing you!! Your friendship with Trish shines through your artwork, and it will bring up memories of you two, wherever it takes it's permanent residence. Thank you so much for amazing work, you hit home run after home run!! sending hugs :)

Pawsitively Creative said...

This is such a good story about your wonderful friendship with Trish! How lucky you are to know someone that long and remain friends. Your canvas is so fun and funky with that brilliant green color and the use of the stencils is gorgeous. You are really good at making me want to try new things and using the doilies is one of em. Fantabulous details and the black word "friend" really jumps out at you against the softer colors. Brilliant! Cheers to friends! And you inspire me in many ways and I am proud to call you a teamie! Hugz to you muffin! ~Niki

Redanne said...

Autumn, this is such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your wonderful friend Trish, it must be amazing to have been friends for so long too! This is anything BUT a simple project in my eyes, it is gorgeous, full of wonderful colour and detail and I love that you added the photo - I think you should have one in each of your homes.... Anything But Cute is definitely a very special place and one that I really love being part of too! You ladies are all so inspirational! Hugs, Anne xx

Vintagehandmade said...

Oh, Autumn, what a beautiful story about your friendship and what a stunning canvas you have created! You have managed to express your love for your friend in such a brilliant way! I love your soft and dreamy colors, awesome stencil work, fantastic flower arrangement and those gorgeous doilies!
You and your friend are both so lucky to remain friends for so many years! I am so proud to call you a teamie since you are so talented, super creative and a warmhearted lady! You are awesome!
Big hugs to you! Branka xx

Mimi said...

Beautiful piece-- I absolutely love the pooling and colors you chose. Thanks for sharing your story, too. I hope everyone has a friendship like yours + Trish's. :) I do :)

Lisa said...

What an absolutely stunning gift this is for your friend, Autumn!! It's so gorgeous!! I love the colors and the texture!! The flowers are stunning!! I love how you added the doilies and the ribbon, too!! And what a beautiful picture of you two!! You showcased it perfectly!! This is spectacular my friend!! I know Trish adored it!! Have a great day!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

rachel said...

Autumn this is so beautiful - I adore the colours and such a wonderful piccie of you and your friend - lovely! Hugs rachel x

Lin said...

LOVE the colors you put together here, Autumn, and I love visiting your blog - always something lovely awaits! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge!

Brenda Brown said...

Beautiful, love this Autumn it really is gorgeous xxx

Meresanth said...

What a beautiful color combo! Love what you did with the doilies and the flowers. Thank you for joining the challenge at Retro Kraft Shop! (We'll be grateful if you could add our challenge banner to your post as requested in our challenge rules, thank you!)

sarascloset said...

Wow, autumn, you do the most beautiful backgrounds! You DO make it look simple in the process, but the result looks anything BUT simple--gorgeous watery textured background! This sets the stage for those gorgeous doilies, flowers and that treasured photo! You two are so blessed to have found friendship at such a tender age and to maintain it throughout the years! I hope you are close in geography as well, so you get to share lots of fun times in person! I loved reading the story behind this gorgeous piece and your sweet comments about our team--they are an awesome group of girls, and I treasure our friendship and support! Big hugs to you, my friend!

Words and Pictures said...

What gorgeous textures and springtime colours in the background - a perfect setting to celebrate a special friendship.
Alison x

Marty F said...

What a beautiful gift for your best friend! How nice you've been friends all your life - that's a special gift. Your colors and textures are amazing!

Elaine aka Ellapu said...

I echo everyone else's comments loving the unique background - stunning my sweet. Thank you for sharing with us over at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month and hope to see you again in future challenges.

Handcrafted by Ellapu
Mother Hen for Altered Eclectics
Mother Hen for Eclectic Ellapu
DT Rhedd's Creative Spirit

Gio said...

Such a gorgeous artwork, Autumn! LOve the shape, the photo and the combo you used, stunning!

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

This is stunning. I love the bright pops of color mixed with the shabby chic bow and floral cluster. It's a really fun contrast. Great texture and as always, perfectly composed. Your finished work always sings in perfect harmony. I'm a fan! Thank you so much for sharing with us at The Frilly and Funkie Floral Infatuation Challenge!

Unknown said...

The close up picture of your background with all the yummy texture and colors just totally made me want to go play - right this minute - INSPIRATION - Wow. Thank you! Just a very special and beautiful creation. And what a sweet sweet finished peace honoring your friendship. What a blessing Trish has in you.

I 'felt' that I was supposed to send you this little promise sweet Autumn:

"My love and kindness shall not depart from you nor shall my covenant of peace and completeness". Is 54

Of course - I know you KNOW this but... sometimes remembering and claiming is a strong rock. Much Love, j.

A Pink said...

A really pretty Canvas - just perfect for two really pretty friends . Wonderful texture and fresh uplifting colour palette .
hugs x

Rupa Swaminathan said...

This is such a pretty panel and speaks so much about your friendship. I love the vibrant colors. Thank you for sharing this with us at Rhedd's Creative Spirit this month. Good Luck, Rupa

Sammy said...

Oh how beautiful is this! A lovely tribute to what sounds like a wonderful friendship.
With my DT cap on: Thank you for entering your project at Rhedd’s Creative Spirit. Sammy-x

Jinny Newlin said...

What a treasure it is to have a friend like that! Such a beautiful project, Autumn! Love the purple and green palette!

Denise van Deventer said...

Just amazing....so pretty, intricate and special! Gorgeous project! ;-)

Katelyn said...

Beautiful piece! The colours and textures go so beautifully together. Thanks for joining us on the Emerald Creek Dares Blog!
- Katelyn DT member at Emerald Creek

Olga Heldwein said...

so girly and pretty !!! Thank you for joining Retromania :)

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