Friday 22 May 2009

Shell Challenge

Hope you're all ready for a new challenge!
If you wish to join in, you have 3 and a half weeks to make a piece of art (ATC, canvas, painting, collage, fabric, etc...) on the theme of shells. You can use real shells or pictures.........Rosie chose to use real ones for her gorgeous piece of art.


This is Rosie's challenge but she's currently on holiday in Florida (lucky girl!) so has asked me to post these words for her........
"Shells have always been special to me - in fact I love all natural (God-given as opposed to man-made) beautiful things. The quote I've used is from The Prophet by Kahil Gibran, and is one of my all time favourites, and has very deep meaning for me. I used a small 5 x 5"canvas which is deeper than they usually are at 1 1/4" and turned it around to take advantage of the deep "window" inside it.

The canvas is painted with acrylic (Folk Art Bayberry) which I then sanded and distressed. I lightly stained and matte varnished the wooden frame because I liked it the way it was - and it also seemed right for the "natural" beach feel I was after. Linda gave me some of this amazing tissue paper which has a small script all over it, and I put a panel of it deep inside to provide a backdrop for my lovely shell which I found in Malta.

Thinking about the brokenness of the theme I tore and pasted more strips of tissue fairly randomly using Mod Podge, and gave the quote (computer generated) a similar treatment. I had a box of tiny shells which seemed just right, and the larger one on the outside is from a necklace. I loved the friend who gave it to me but never liked the necklace which was very large and chunky, so I took it to pieces and used the shells instead. Although she is gone now I'm pretty sure she would approve."
I'm sure you'll agree Rosie has made a beautiful example for us.
We're looking forward to seeing your creations as always!!
Linda x


"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain."

Kahlil Gibran

PS We have a new friend who has just set up a blog for the first time and has created a mini book for Jaqi's photo challenge. It would be lovely if you could go along and say hello..... her name is Gini.

43 comments:

Jaqi said...

What a beautiful piece, it has a mysterious quality to it i feel. Very well chosen words too, Im off to read it again.
Count me in im off to get my thinking cap on. Thank you for the inspiration, Jaqi xx

Gail Burton said...

That is so inspiring. I never would have thought to turn the canvas over and use the back, and here's me wondering how to make a shadow box! Well now I know. I might just have a go at this one :-)

Gail x

ooglebloops said...

That is fabulous!! I have a blank canvas that I have been meaning to use in reverse - after seeing what Kimmie at Art in Red Wagons had done with one!! Is using a canvas part of the challenge - or just whatever we come up with?

Risa said...

That is very cool. I love it! And I have some great shells at home that would be great for a start on this challenge!

Teresa aka Tess said...

Such a beautiful piece. I love the Treasure Island feel it has to it. And the shells are wonderful. I will enjoy peeking in on this challenge and seeing what you all create.

Anonymous said...

Welllll...I live 3500 miles from a beach! This is going to be a REAL challenge for me! May have to beg a 'beach' pal for some shells! Just did a reverse canvas project at paperwhimsy, so this is timely! Will let you know what shell's I come up with! Let the games begin........

deb christensen said...

what a beautiful piece, with a beautiful quote. this challenge can't be passed up! i live on an island, so am surrounded by the most awesome beaches. i don't think there is a surface in my house that doesn't have a shell, or feather or bit of beach glass on it. this will be fun!

Sharon said...

Beautiful I love shells.....

I made a piece last weekend for a journal page just happens to be shells.....How spooky !!

I am looking forward to see what everyone comes up with

I used fabric

Luisa Migon said...

For the first time I'm here, and it's a pleasure! This is a fantastic blog!

I leave my ATC for the Shell Challenge ("From Sea, Air and Earth") http://luisamigon.blogspot.com/

I used an image from Outsider-Artists and other four photos from Stock Xchange.

I hope you like it... :O)

Luisa

Lynn said...

This is a gorgeous work of art Rosie, I will be joining in again :) Shells????? Ok, will have to think of something I can do with shells????
Love the quote too btw :)

Jeanette Carlstrom said...

Just can't wait.... I have some shells from the coast of Northern California... To be continued...

Luisa Migon said...

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iOQAlxUidt8/Shhd8dnbE6I/AAAAAAAABdg/Xb_L1e1laq8/s1600-h/SHELL-CHALLENGEresized.jpg

Oh... I don't know how I have to leave my link... Is it right now?!

Thanks!

ooglebloops said...

Here's my contribution!!
http://artfullyooglebloops.blogspot.com/2009/04/z-egg-tangle-easter-egg.html

ooglebloops said...

OOOPS!
Wrong link!!! HERE'S mine!!

http://artfullyooglebloops.blogspot.com/2009/05/abaa-seashell-challenge.html#comments

Sometimes computers just do things beyond my control or comprehension...............

June said...

Hi Linda, I just popped in to say hello. Your page is still tiny for some reason on my monitor and i cant read it sadly but hope all is good with you
Hugs June xxxx

Jen Crossley said...

WOW Im dribbling on the key board just too die for
awesome at its best
Jen

Unknown said...

I zentangled on some broken shell bits .... hope you like these :)

Shells

Lynn said...

Something came to me :) Glad I could join in again you can find my entry on my post at Her Creative SpiritThanks girls for another great challenge :)
Lynn

Lynn Stevens said...

This is my first time joining in!It just so happens I posted my Mermaid shrine with shells! on my blogtrashtotreasureart

daisy said...

Another digital piece from me inspired by your challenge.

Under the Crystal Sea

Lynn Stevens said...

I forgot to mention how much I Love your canvas, The saying is awesome and What a clever way to use the canvas

Nettie Edwards said...

I love shells, so I hope to do something new for this lovely challenge but in the meantime, here's something I did a little while ago:

http://lumilyon.blogspot.com/2009/04/pierrots-piers-and-periwinkles.html

thanks for looking x

Sharon said...

I have to go and take a look at what everyone has done for the challenge.....

mine is here :-

http://magpiesarttreasurechest.blogspot.com/

Sharon xx

Cheryl said...

I'm going to try to play. Will post when I come up with something. This looks like fun!

http://1craftymomand2ornerykids.blogspot.com

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

Another brilliant challenge ladies. Rosie your inspiration piece is so wonderful and the quote speaks to me so beautifully! Here is my sea maiden:

http://bitze.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/the-sea-maiden-and-her-shells/

Did I say that I adore seashells :)

Unknown said...

Absolutely fantastic! I just happened upon you all in the blog world and you've completely inspired me! Thanks!

Esther said...

my entry is on my blog, just here
http://123lilibulle.canalblog.com/archives/2009/05/23/13824217.html#comments
thanks for this beautiful challenge!!

Rika said...

My entry is on my blog

Jo Nevill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
blackdragon said...

I really love the example... i have made a memory frame for this challnge, been meaning to do something with our shells... thank you for the inspiration!!!!

http://lynsblogger.blogspot.com/2009/06/art-adventure-shells.html

Thanks for taking a look.
xxxblackdragon xxx

Lynn said...

OK I'm in Shall I wait till the weekend to post?

deb christensen said...

wow, there is some wonderful entries for this challenge! here is mine, and thanks for a fun and inspiring challenge!
deb
http://dyingtobeyours.blogspot.com/2009/06/abaas-sea-shell-challenge.html

Mescrap said...

Thank you so much for the great inspiration. My shell is here

http://mescrap.blogspot.com/2009/06/shell-challenge.html

Thank you.

The Joy of Nesting said...

Well this is one challenge I didn't have any trouble finding all kinds of inspirations for :)

You will find me here:
http://thejoyofnesting.blogspot.com/2009/06/two-birdhmm-make-that-mules-with-one.html

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Meikoningin said...

You can check out my shells here :

http://creations-blog.blogspot.com/2009/06/in-this-house-beach-road-no20.html

Anonymous said...

Lovely to stumble upon your wonderful site. Here's my participation:

http://fadwas-inspirational.blogspot.com/2009/06/shell-challenge.html

Meikoningin said...

I just posted my first contribution here, exciting ! I really like challenges, and i hope i will post many more in the future :) Thank you for organising this !

Meikoningin said...

and i forgot to mention, the example-challenge looks gorgeous ! Very inspirational indeed :)

Tide Pools Natures Treasures said...

This was a really fun challenge, and I had a great time creating my entry. All of the entries are so creative! Thank you ladies you have inspired us all again! Christen

Jaqi said...

Hi everyone,
Sorry im a bit late but you can find my contribution for the shell challenge http://jaqi-scrapbookinginmysleep.blogspot.com/

Thank you Jaqi

Gini said...

Rosie your box frame is wonderful. I didn't know Kahil Gibran looked like that, I always imagined him looking like a hairy gray bearded Santa without all the red! I hasten to add The Prophet is sublime regardless.
I had a whale of a time creating this
Gini xx

Jaqi said...

Sorry is this a bit better? dont know why I didnt use this link the first time, my entry is here;
Thank you Jaqi

Anonymous said...

I was so sure I left my comment last night...I dunno what happened! Anyway, here is my entry. I loved making this and am looking forward to the next one! :)

http://craftingannie.blogspot.com/2009/06/abaa-shell-challenge.html