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.

Thursday 21 May 2009

PHOTO CHALLENGE SHOWCASE!

Well, I think Jaqi's great aunt Rosina would have been thrilled to see all these wonderful pieces of art.....we certainly are!! A huge thanks to everyone who joined in and of course to Jaqi for being our guest challenger. Don't forget to come back tomorrow for a new challenge!
Now just enjoy this fabulous gallery of art ..............Great Aunt Rosina

Chimene

Sandee

Rubymay

Rein

Patty

Ooglebloops

Michelle - Bohemian Gypsy

Mary Ann

Lynn

Lilibulle

Lay Hoon

Jeanette

Jan

Hazel

Glycerine

Filetta

Fifi Flowers

Denise

Daisy

Christen

Annie

Ali

Jaqi

Rosie

Linda
If I have missed anyone out or typed any names incorrectly please let me know - email address here.
Thank you
Love Linda

Friday 8 May 2009

MORE GORGEOUS ENTRIES ...



We hope that having extra time means that more of you will feel able to take part this month? It's been particularly interesting to see that, presumably because of our photo theme, we've had a number of digital entries. Daisy's collage above makes me think of an old travel journal page, with pictures, hand written notes and pencil drawings. It makes a fantastic page for the book she's putting together, and really showcases the possibilities of digi work.

Patty on the other hand went for a paper based collage, and I love how she's used the figure of Aunt Rosina against a cottage backdrop. The colours against the black and white photo are particularly effective, but my favourite part is the teapot!!

Do keep the entries coming - you have until the next challenge (we're working on it) goes up on 22nd May .....

Friday 1 May 2009

Photo Challenge Update.....

Jaqi, Rosie and I are enjoying seeing what you've been doing with our special photo this month .... all the entries are unique and lovely. We've also been smiling over 'the mystery of the missing bird'. I think when you see a cage, it only natural to look in the cage for the bird - we didn't think of looking anywhere else at first! But well done Patty - you were the first to mention the bird on the shoulder......well spotted!

Rein has created a wonderful vintage piece with text, stitching, lace, a bird and a flower. Very pretty. We have been intrigued by the number of digital collages this time. This one caught my eye from Glycerine...she has created a gorgeous, almost ghostly image with floating feathers and leaves. For me, it evokes a feeling of time passing by.

Watch out for more examples from Rosie next week!
Linda x
PS I will showcase everyones work during the last few days before our next challenge (which will be 22nd May).