The Promise of Spring

Hi my wonderful Readers!

I just love it when Sanda invites us to her magical worlds on paper... You will absolutely love today's art journal spread - so organic and so beautifully hihlighting my new Art Alchemy Waxes and Sparks paints... I'm sure this dreamy collage will inspire you to create!

Hello, you, dear friends and a very Happy New Year to each and everyone!
In the depths of a dark Winter’s day, a seed is planted, not more than a grain, but it grows fearlessly, having faith in the promise of the coming Spring…  

Thus, our dreams and aspirations are blossoming from tiny whispered thoughts that soar until they become perfect and beautiful blooms. This is what I wish for all of you this year, my friends, pursue your creative dreams and follow your path, not with fear, but hope in your hearts!

My word for 2017 is HOPE so I decided to create a journal page that encapsulates this feeling, with the green leaves’ symbolism meaning exactly hope and renewal and revival…

I started the page by applying a generous coat of Heavy White Gesso and while wet I added some texture using a sponge. After drying the page I applied more gesso and using a palette knife I added more texture.

Dried everything again and then I spread some Light Paste and when it was just dry to the touch I stamped into it with a background stamp from the Old Town stamp set. I absolutely love this stamp set!

Separately I stamped and heat embossed a real leaf (I gelli printed with a while ago) using “Read to me” clear stamp.

Going back to my page, I glued down bits of hand-painted cheese cloth and a few skeleton leaves with 3D Matte Gel and then covered the whole page with Heavy White Gesso.

When dry, I added some background stamping with clear stamps ("Read to Me" and "Bubbles").

Next, I added clusters of Art Stones and Mini Art Stones (it seems I can’t live without them! LOL) using 3D Matte Gel to adhere them. This gel is just perfect for the job, once dry, the Art Stones will stay in place forever and you can paint them to your heart’s content. :)

Ready for painting? First I sprinkled some strong black tea all over my page and dried everything with a heating tool.

Then I added Art Alchemy Light Patina spraying it with water to help it move. Next, I added some dark navy blue spray tilting the page in all directions to encourage some nice movement.

When my page was dry, using a sponge and heavy white gesso I highlighted all the texture, keeping the sponge as flat as possible, parallel with the paper, to catch only the raised bits.
I glued down the leaf with 3D Matte Gel cleaning the excess with a paper towel.

And now, my friends, prepare to be amazed by the Finnabair’s new art babies!!! Truly spectacular!
To enhance the skeleton leaves and the texture on the page I started applying the NEW Art Alchemy Waxes (I used here some of the Antique Brilliance and Opal Magic ones) as well as the Art Alchemy Sparks. Just let me tell you, they are FABULOUS!!! As I was telling some of my friends the other day, I just can’t keep my hands out of the jars! LOL

They dry permanent, very easy to work with and the colours are luscious! And, on top of that, the waxes are deliciously scented! :) What can a mixed media girl wish for more?

I know all Finn’s products are gorgeous but wait till you see these ones! Very, very special indeed!

When I finished with all the painting, I covered the big leaf with a layer of Clear Crackle Paste and left it to dry overnight.

Next morning, off camera I enhanced the crackles with Art Alchemy Metallique Wax – Rich Copper and added few tiny Mechanicals Star Brads and the words.
And there you have it! Done!

Here is my video where you can watch my creative process. Enjoy and have fun!

I hope you enjoyed and got inspired by my new project.

Have a wonderful day and a fantastic and creative 2017
xoxo
Sanda












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