08Dec
My Art Muse – Isabella
Gratitude… So many things came to mind that it was difficult to focus on just one. The question I asked myself “What one person, or event has impacted my life as it is right now?” The answer is my grandaughter Izzy! Izzy colors my heart with spaghetti and bubbles, with leaves and humor, and fun every single day. I would not be the person I am today without her.
All those everyday happenings were easy to imagine, but again, not all would fit on one page. So I muddled about for days thinking about the one thing that would communicate my feelings through Izzy. Then it happened – BUBBLES and light in a photograph. The next dilemma was how to incorporate a new process along with colors that were (for me at least) a bit on the bright side. Fortunately, Dina Wakley solved that problem with a wonderful technique kit that allowed me to practice using 3 colors (plus white), a stencil, and easy-to-follow instructions. After 2 boards, and much experimenting, I felt confident enough to take on the Gratitude Challenge.
The starter was a piece of paper I had saved after using it for a mat to catch the paint from another inking project. Then using the 3 colors, stencils, mixing paints, and layering colors, the magic evolved. The photographs in black and white were enhanced with colored pencils to illuminate Izzy’s face creating a slightly ethereal effect and mirroring the bubbles. I wanted the message to reflect my sentiment while making it a part of the artwork. It took a few times, some abject failures before the final one emerged. I spent a day just moving the parts around and visualizing how the bubble stamps (photo above with kept objects, and caps) would lead the eye around repeating bubbles from the photo. That done, with a few color adjustments to areas needing it and a small smear of the green on the bubbles, Viola DONE!
