Monday 8 July 2013

Queen of Hearts - (industrial?) mixed-media collage

I did it again:)
Days and hours of work (but how joyful moments they were!), tons of rubbish, paint, embellishments and pure creative pleasure - and here she is - "Queen of Hearts" another big collage that was waiting in a row to come to life. I like the moment when I put the paintbrush back in the bucket and I can say - I'm done... but I love the process of creating even more!

"Queen of Hearts" - 50 x 70 cm (20 x 27,5'') mixed-media collage on canvas

Queen of Hearts - mixed-media collage on canvas

This time the colors meant to be more feminine, soft, but not without  a bit of "industrial coldness", with a lot of shining gold on the top. The photo was chosen long, long ago, when I had the first idea of creating this piece -  I really kept this "baby" in my head for months!


I wanted to get the balance of colors and texture, rich look without  feeling of being too heavy - and I hope I succeeded! Details are very dimensional and taking good photos of them was almost impossible :( I can only promise you it looks better in real life...



Again I think I'm close to  industrial art, cyberpunk art or artistic upcycling but I'm sure you will find a lot of elements that would classify this piece as steampunk collage- with a bit of spiritual feeling. Are the names really important? The finished piece should speak by itself - and I hope this one can touch some strings in your souls... I'd love to hear what you think about my "Queen". Can you please share what comes to your mind? Thanks in advance!



This pile of painted rubbish could only change into collage with a big help of my amazing friends, fans and companies from all over the world :) I'm a collector - I know, but hey - I can't gather THAT much without support, right?

Huge thanks to: my Dad, Linda Brun, Drycha, Rae Cooper (and Scrap Mratix), Wendy Vecchi, Agnieszka Barska (Aniees) and my sweet students from Warsaw, France and USA. Thanks to your gifts, shared collections and open hearts I can create without hesitation as use as much as I need! You are just the best, guys!
Special thanks to Prima Marketing - for the best flowers ever made and releasing my metal embellishments included in this piece - Mechanicals. Prima stencils and Ingvild's Shabby Chic Treasures (birds) are also a very important part of this project!  Huge thanks to Luminarte - for possibility to play with the most amazing color palette ever (Primary Elements and Silks ROCK my world!!!)!
Other supplies: Ranger: Dylussion Sprays, Glossy Accents. Tim Holtz: metal embellishments (crown, keyhole), gel medium, heavy gel medium, black acrylic paint, gesso, fixative.

And... now is your turn, please leave me a comment and share - what comes to your mind, please!
Thanks... and see you soon in USA and Canada!
BTW: Those of you who are attending CHA show in Las Vegas may meet me and the "Queen" somewhere around Prima booth - see you there!

115 comments:

Evelyn said...

STUNNING! This piece is so beautiful! If she is ever for sale, I would LOVE to buy her! Let me know.

So sad I can't come to your classes in NYC - would have loved to taken your Spellbook class. Hope everyone who does attend has a great experience.

b_artist said...

You ARE the Queen of Steampunk collage! I am amazed, again!

b_artist said...

You ARE the Queen of Steampunk collage. A am amazed, again.

frezja said...

ojej, ale cudo!!!!! :D

Sue said...

Sooooo what comes to mind?? WOW....and then more WOW!

Marianne/skorpionen said...

Oh yeah, worth waiting for!! This is an incredible piece of ART!! Just love the warm colors, the zippers, the fabolous background and all the details!
I think I'm in love (once again :D )
Have a fabolous time in USA and CHA!

Vicky Alberto said...

such a masterpiece!

Kaz Hall said...

Majestic, regal, enchanting, elegant, mystical, and magical.....simply stunning X

Best wishes
Kaz x

Jean Bullock said...

Wonderful. I think I shall make up a new label for your style. I think it should be called Steampunk Femme. Great job!

Lori said...

An absolute stunner! I LOVE it!

Linda M. Cain said...

Over-the-top Gorgeous!

~Linda

Bribrie said...

Il n'y a qu'un mot : MA-GNI-FI-QUE.
J'adooore !

Karen Bowers said...

Looking forward even more to my class at the end of the month. Now I'm thinking I should bring along a small box of goodies I might want to work into my piece. :)

Jeannette v.D. said...

Absolutely LOVE it ! You are so talenten !

Irina Gerschuk said...

Looks cool!!!

Scrapthat said...

totally awesome as always!! TFS!

Scrapbookdoll said...

wow...i'm blown away....this is art with an A
Marie-Anne

Mo said...

My first impression - GLORIOUS! I want to look at this every day. I haven't had time to study all the many details but I will. Of course we want to give you goodies if this is what happens - no comparison - living in a box or as a part of a beautiful piece of art.
Have a great trip, Anna!
Marjan

Stephi said...

wow--amazing

Yvonne Garner said...

Breathless! It took my breath away!

Elaine said...

Wow, what an amazing project, so inspiring and just brilliant. Elaine x

Elena Olinevich said...

I am blown away and my jar has fallen , I can not speak at all

scrapfantazje said...

Powalająca praca! Gratuluję!

Joanna Wiśniewska said...

Wspaniały.

Scrapoochi said...

Your Queen is a piece of art that makes me happy, smile, love mixed media! I've been collecting and dismantling several electronic devices to try and find some treasures, but I can see that I will need some help from friends too, otherwise I'll be 80 until I can start such a project! YOU INSPIRE ME! Thank you for sharing your Queen of Art with a capital A!

Ann said...

OH! WOW! une oeuvre d'art!

tocovya said...

What comes to my mind is, you promise it looks better in real life. I think how can it? It is jaw droppingly inventive. Unique & the colour, the colour is divine. You really do need a gallery

Words and Pictures said...

She is stunning - from the voluptuous folds of her zipped and computer chip skirt to the glowing rays emanating from her glorious heart to the fabulous arrangement of her "hair" - simply spectacular.
Alison x

Vicky said...

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!

QUESTION: Is this a photo of you in a dress that you have "dressed" up??

LOVE the use of the zippers! This is a piece of art work that can be studied for hours and then some! LOVE!

Vicky said...

Meant to say that I would LOVE to sometime be able to take one of these sort of classes with you! LOVE your work so much! You are such an inspiration with your work!

finnabair said...

Thank you so much, guys... you melt my heart!
Vicky - no. I used only photo of my face, all the dress is build from the beginning .

Vicky said...

Well, it is just absolutely stunning work! I've been collecting "stuff" so that I can do one of these.....one of these days, LOL! It will probably never happen in this lifetime! :D

Astamper said...

Absolutely stunning!

finnabair said...

Vicky - just go for it! Start :)

Vicky said...

My heart is beating FAST just thinking about it, LOL!

primdollie said...

This is truly spectacular and stunning beyond words!! I so love your work and I would give anything to know even the slightest how to do some of what you do!! I would love to take a class with you but sadly none anywhere near good ole Ohio!! You are an inspiration to us all and I enjoy all your work so much! Thnx this is by far I think my most fav of all.....so far!!! Someday I hope to learn to layer and do some of the color choices you do!! Thnx for sharing your work!

Nadya Tana Lifa said...

это что-то невероятное!Анна, сложно представить, что это сделано руками!вы изумительный художник!

Sarah said...

This is magical as are all of your collage pieces. Your ability to turn mundane objects into such beautiful presentations is amazing.

Suzanne Bouchard said...

This is a true master piece! it is so powerful, so beautiful! It inspires me to create my own piece with collected findings.I am in love with this piece! Just fabulous!

Miae said...

I'm always amazed when I see your creations! Every little bit is it's own part but you put it together and it makes this fabulous picture! Genius!

Michele said...

I've been staring at your queen for ages....absolutely beautiful Ania, she is yet another masterpiece. She speaks to ones soul xxx

Maura said...

OMG!!! Fabulously awesome! You are SO creative!!

Unknown said...

you can call it whatever you like...it is simply amazing. so beautiful, so much detail. simply stunning.

Sandra said...

To say this is amazing is an understatement, the dimension with those stunning layers of bits and pieces lovingly layered leaves me in awe of your work. I LOVE it.

Gunn (Merete) said...

My first tought is Divine, then beautiful. And I sure can see the spirituality in here, your colors are such a proove to that. And the image is so right for this masterpiece. And what you did to her heart- Awesome.
This is so beautiful, so I can really imagine how great it has to be in real.
Thanks for giving us this beautiful art piece to study and just admire.
This one I will come back to. I just have to study these awesome details.
I really admire your work, you are such an inspiration.
Thanks :-)

lisa_crofts said...

Stunning!!!!

Lynn Good said...

stunning, devine, masterpiece, awesome - all these words have been used to describe your Queen of Hearts and they are so right. She Rocks!!!! You are an incredible artist. Thanks so much for sharing and giving us the inspiration to try different things :)

Sandy said...

Holy cow - what a stunning piece! My compliments to your extraordinary imagination!

Unknown said...

Super! I love it!!!!

Людмила Кодымская said...

it's just fantastic! unmatched beautiful and interesting work!

EXTRAVAGANZA said...

Oh my god! I fainted!...this space!

LaTortueBleue said...

Magnifique... beautiful...

Thuria said...

What a work! When I see all these tiny things assembled together to get such a beautiful creation, wow!!!!

fejferek said...

cudo! tyle smaczków, detali, skarbów. i kolory które pozwalają co chwilę na nowo odkrywać nowe obszary pracy :)
i czy dobrze wypatrzyłam cosie z prodziża? ;)

pozdrawiam serdecznie!
agnieszka

milesfodor said...

Fantastic work. Your work is magical and inspiring. I believe you have started your own new art movement - Industrial Romance Art.

finnabair said...

Thank you so much friends! You make me really happy! Agnieszko co za oko! Zgadza się w 100%! Prodiż!

Alina said...

Gorgeous! Would you take into consideration to bring the Qeen to ProzArt? I would love to see it live!

Nishi said...

Beautiful work! Amazing how perfectly these embellishments fit together. You did awesome! BTW where do you even find this many wonderful embellishments?

Create Beauty with Laurajo said...

This is incredible! You have outdone yourself, lady! Very cool!!

Susan said...

Annia I think is your best piece yet!

Janene said...

Nothing short of astounding! Just stunning! Can't wait to meet you tomorrow in NYC - both classes for me. Yeah!!! :)

Made by A Hug said...

piękny....

Looking forward to Vegas to see the piece in person!

silvergran said...

Stunning artwork!

Agnieszka Korman said...

Znów wpadam w zachwyt i nisko się kłaniam:)

Scrapoochi said...

another look at this gorgeous Queen! I've printed it so I can show my colleagues which findings I need :-), my colleague (who's not into crafting) said it is SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!! :-), really glad I've booked so many classes this year! really! big hug, Nancy

jheuser69 said...

Anna, this piece defies words, simply amazing. There is so much texture and the colors work perfectly together. I CAN'T WAIT to take your class in August in Florida. Your artwork is wonderful!

Joanie said...

Amazing! Fantastic! Love it! Can't wait to do your classes here in UK Nov 30 & Dec 1st!

Joan :)

Unknown said...

Wow Anna you have done it again!!!! This is an incredible piece of art :). I love the whole grungy baroque feel to this piece.
Thanks for sharing this collage.

Marlene said...

It's fantastic ...wow:)

purple_pea_fran said...

Finn, this (and you!) are awesome and I bow down to your talents. Amazing!

Tapeva said...

Well, industrial baroque comes to my mind...but as you (clever!) say: the names are not important. You know well what is. Keep your hands on the material you are so friendly with, we all like to explore the sympathetic little details on your work - it´s like the little children favourite game: entertaning, surprising, funny and joyful...I like it! :)

hazel said...

Wow!!! This is amazing, I love it.
xxx Hazel.

corinne de france MARCH said...

impressionnant ! travail magnifique
vous êtes la reine du collage ;-)
corinne

Dianne H said...

Fantastically gorgeous piece. Can look at it for ages - so much to take in. In awe of your amazing talent. Have fun in USA .

Laura Spano said...

Ah, these are the kind of pieces I was talking to you about in class, the ones I love the most! What I love about this piece is the combination of hard industrial elements and softer elements, like the flowers. Also the combination of colors in this piece is fabulous. Delicate, and yet still grungy. The tilt of her head and headpiece is particularly beautiful. And the balance you have achieved in the composition. (Hope you don't mind the long comment, lol, I could babble on forever!)

Ella Swan said...

I think this is fantastic! I think you should have an exhibition in Dublin where I'm sure you could sell your industrial steampunk canvases if you use other images - perhaps famous people - politicians, etc...statement art!!

Sue Fraser said...

This piece is absolutely stunning! Can't begin to tell you how much I look forward to taking your classes in Langley, Canada next week. Safe travels.

Unknown said...

Lovely piece. Soy creative and I'm sure pictures don't do it justice. Thank you for sharing.

Line said...

OH MY GOD. Amazing

Anonymous said...

Just absolutely fantastic! Hopefully you get to come to Montreal or even better Quebec City when you travel to Canada! I would absolutely love to attend your classes!

Krisha said...

Jaw dropping, eye popping beautiful.

Sandy said...

Just truly beautiful so many details I could look at this for ages..
Sandy :)

Unknown said...

Your work is truly amazing. Please come and teach us in South Africa! Pretty please!

Agnieszka Arnold said...

Przepiękna praca!!! Niesamowita!
Dawno mnie nic tak nie zachwyciło!
Zapiera dech w piersiach :D

jbonomo said...

Stunning! She looks like a representation of you: a big heart, many layers revealed by the zippers, complex and oh the colors. Simply a masterpiece! Looking forward to taking your class at Scrapbook Island in a couple of weeks.

Janet Ghio said...

Wow! This is just beautiful-the color is gorgeous--all the little bits and pieces-just wonderful!

Lisa said...

Wow! This is simply AMAZING Anna. It's everything you described. I'm awestruck.

mariemily said...

This is beautiful, amazing, extraordinary, wonderful! Love, love, love, love it! Thanks for sharing this project with us!

Ilona Zbieg said...

Wow
jestem pod ogromnym wrażeniem
zachwyciłaś mnie
szczegóły - dobór elementów - kolory - faktury - całość fantastyczne

Jan in Tucson said...

There are multiple words to describe your piece, as many before me have left glowing compliments. However, I can only say that it was THE MOST FABULOUS piece in the Prima booth and the MOST stunning thing I saw all day. And thank you for talking our photo this afternoon at the entrance to the show. Lovely to meet you and your great Polish accent!!! Happy creating!

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my word, this is just super amazing, an incredible piece of art. I am so looking forward to meeting you in August in the UK. TFS.
hugs {brenda} x0x

BBart said...

fenomenalny, wyjątkowy,piękny !

Magda Wisiorek said...

Co ty powiedzieć - chylę czoła. Absolutnie niesamowita praca, nie mogę wyjść z podziwu!

Mai-Britt said...

She is beautiful and despite all the gears and the metal she has a kind of soft look, that I haven't seen in your works before.

Martina said...

It is beautiful and artistic! Standing ovation from me.

Rita said...

What a Magnificent piece of art. I too have fallen in love with it too Anna. I.m so looking forward to meeting you when I do your class in Glasgow on the 24th August. Till then Take Care. Hugs from Scotland Rita xxxxx

Unknown said...

I have just one word for that piece: WOW!!!!!

Sylvie said...

You did it again ! One of a kind, stunning, inspiring and just georgous to look at. I would love to see it live. Your style is so unique. Loooooove it.

Primitive Seasons said...

Just takes my breath away. If I put this much "stuff" on a canvas it would look like junk but with your talented touch it is truly art elevated to it's highest level. Would like to know, what size canvas you generally use? Keep up the inspiring work. Love it!

Mary

JenCozz said...

Amazingly beautiful! She looks confident in her plans with enough love to share and encourage others!

Anonymous said...

She is breathtaking, a sight to behold.
Sitting studying her I keep spying something else which grabs my attention.
Absolutely adore your use of the zipped fabric (if it is actually fabric).
Remarkable!
Wishes
Lynne

geminisinger said...

Your queen is a glorious mix of femininity, grunge, and nostalgia! I look forward to seeing more of your creations. *Thank you Carin Winkelman for sharing Finnabair's site with us!

Flutterby Designs said...

Gobsmacked!!! WOW - was the first thing. She's beautiful xox

Marleine said...


Hi

Simply stunningly, beautiful work of art and a love of beautiful objects.

I would love to see it for my self. Bit too far to travel as I live in the UK.

Your work opens my mind to lots of dimension and mediums. X

Britta Kaiser said...

WOW, your work is so awsome and it inspires me every day ;o)
Greatings, Britta

Heather McMahon said...

One word. WOW!

Linda O'Connor said...

This is really beautiful. Wish I could have seen it live in LV. I too have been collecting for years...maybe one day.

J-Lin said...

WOW! is what came to mind and all i could think was WOW!

StampendousGraphics said...

This is so far beyond amazing, there are no words. We are inspired, and awed at your incredible talent! Thank you so much for sharing your work with the world!

sara j said...

At first I thought powerful, then I looked some more and believe her to be spiritually powerful....she has an Idian presence crossed with European sensibilities and she is (I have now earased two words I used to describe her as not being correct - amazing and cool)-- She is fascinating. A beautiful, and inspiring. Yummy goodness. I am such a fan!

Unknown said...

This yet again is amazing, I can only thank my lucky stars I
found Luvlescrapping on youtube, and she in turn led me to you, I am trying a large canvas myself at the moment after playing your ideas on a small one just to see. And I cant wait, getting the material together is hard on a budget be I will get there and enjoy your day in Cork Ireland wish I could be in the class but maybe another time, good luck and keep doing what you do as you do it so well. love dedexx

Ann B said...

Just found your amazing work but too late for your UK classes, maybe next time. Beautiful canvas.
Ann B

Diane D. said...

I love your Queen of Hearts. She seems to be saying, I am strong and ready to face anything this life can give. My daughter is leaving for grad school and it reminded me of her. She's ready to take on a new adventure. I may have to use her picture and do my own strong young women off to grad school!
DianeD

MsShutterbugg said...

Absolutely fantastic! I really love this piece

Unknown said...

Hi,
You are such a great artist i have never seen yet before.such a beautiful Flowers creation.

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