HeArtworks

Now that I know at least one of the winners has received their prize, I thought I would go ahead and post photos of the artwork I sent out, when sharing the love this last week...I hope the others have received theirs as well, but if you were one of the winners, and by some chance haven't received yours yet, and want to be surprised, don't look any farther!

Here's what I did, more or less: I used some wood hearts from Michael's - the wider hearts already had holes drilled in them and some sort of rope hangers attached, which I snipped off.  I drilled small holes in the narrower ones, since they didn't have holes. They all were pre-painted a sort of fire-engine red, so I lightly sanded them, as I wanted to change the color a bit - or in some cases, entirely! Then I applied a few different layers of Golden Fluid acrylic colors - well, only a little bit on the birdie heart, as I wanted it to be more red, since that's the recipient's favorite color, since I was trying to make each one to suit the person it was going to...

For each of them, I created a little watercolor painting on those tiny Fabriano watercolor squares I got a couple of weeks ago (I love those things!)  I started out by drawing the subject matter, such as the birds or the mermaid, etc, with Staedtler watercolor pencils. Next I washed on some Winsor & Newton watercolors, then when those dried, added Twinkling H20's. After those dried, then I added little touches of gel pen.  I cut the birdies and their twig out, and collaged them onto the music I'd photocopied. For the mermaid's tail, I cut out and collaged on pieces of piano music scales I'd photocopied, then painted on, just because it tickled my punny bone - scales/scales, um, er - sorry, I just couldn't help myself!

(To see a larger version, close-up, click on the little thumbnail photos here on this side)

After doing the paintings, I cut them to fit the hearts, then glued them on with Crafter's Pick 'Ultimate' Glue - I used a tiny brayer that I have to roll the the paper pieces onto the wood, since that helps force out any bubbles and flatten them a little more.  After drying, then it was time for the glitter! Of course I had to add some glitter. Last layer - I applied Diamond Glaze (which I got a little carried away with :)  I've only recently started using it, and I'm still figuring out the right amount to cover different areas, plus it's just seems like this little alchemical magic, how it makes things look all glassy, and I just get kind of caught up in changing everything from matte to glass! Abracadabra - Presto change-O! From paper to glass!  hee hee...

Then one last step, I put on the hangers - some fun fibers or craft wire, just sort of whatever looked like it fit the piece better. (I kind of squashed the wire down a little for sending, but it can be easily bent back up for hanging).

This is a different gypsy heart than the one I showed you the other day - it was the first one that got me started on my whole gypsy thene!

It's funny how writing it out here, makes it all seem so orderly, but really each one was a process in itself (and I didn't do any of them in one sitting! More like a few hours for each one, spread over days). I think this where a lot of people get discouraged when they first start making things, because it will read to where you think you can just sit down and have something done an hour later - well, I guess maybe some people can - but I'm not one of them!).  My creating style really isn't this "linear" - it's more of a "oh, I want to make a mermaid!" then figure it all out along the way, kind of thing - adding/changing things as I go, as I run into little problems to be solved - a squiggle or smear here, a bubble I didn't expect there, and trying to turn it into something that looks ok, like I meant for that to be there, lol...and sometimes there are "happy accidents" where I did something accidentally, then liked the way it looked, so I do it some more...of course, sometimes I can overdo that one, too. But basically, winging it, and tinkering with it till I like it, seems to be my 'creative method,' if I can be said to have one (which I'm not sure is a style at all! It's just me having fun...it may not be great Art with a capital 'A' - but at least I'm enjoying the process...that's what's at the heart of making any kind of art, I think).

Now, I'm off to tinker some more...hope you all have a great day - woo-hoo! It's Friday!

Comments

[Alison Whittington]

I am so glad you posted the pictures because I wanted to show everyone my heart and I felt badly that I couldn't. You sent me just the right one for me -- I can't put into words how perfect it is. (I always wanted a Gypsy sort of life, at least the good bits, like music and wandering and the clothing and the festivities.)

[leah]

these are so lovely!!! i love the mermaid one!

[Paris Parfait]

These are wonderful - you're so successful with your "tinkering." And you've given me some tips. Hope you have a fantastic weekend! xo

[Paris Parfait]

These are wonderful - you're so successful with your "tinkering." And you've given me some tips. Hope you have a fantastic weekend! xo

[Caroline]

I'm sure your recipients will be so pleased!!!

Have a good tinker!

[Tammy]

Awww Tink! I just got mine and it's beautiful! Dave instantly knew it was us when he opened it. Thank you so much for this awesome artwork & goodies!! I wish I could hug you in person. XXOO

[Marilyn]

They're lovely!

[Lisa Oceandreamer]

these are beautiful. You know the best things evolve from just tinkering and toying with ideas and techniques until you finally say to yourself "that's it, I like it as is"! It could be a days worth of time or an hours worth or even a weeks worth - in the end it's the love you put in to it.
Your art NEVER disappoints!
XOXO
Love,
Lisa

[Pam Aries]

Wow! These are gorgeous! You are verrrry creative , missy!

[judie]

WOW! These are awesome!!! I let the whole thing go by while I was um "resting" from blogs and didn't even get a chance to enter. Gosh, what a chance I missed! I LOVE these!!!

[tammy vitale]

Diamond glaze, huh...wonder if it would work on ceramics?

And what is "art" or "Art" but that to which you respond? Different for each of us, and what makes the world go round.

Thanks for sharing!

[Amber]

These are really pretty! And something I could kind of do (something like) with my kids.
I like that top one, it looks like an old Victorian valentine.

:)

[lisa]

I am just now seeing the Frida things and these gorgeous hearts. I am speechless. Every thing you do is just so beautiful. You've started my morning off in a very artful way. Thank you.

[anu]

hello, visiting from violette's blog...I like your heart pieces. I am not familiar with twinkling h2os. will have to try them.

peace & cheers,
anu