This is a new piece I created on Sunday. It's a gift for my 16 year old niece for Christmas, to go along with a gift card to a bookstore. Her name is Shannon, and she's a fine young lady who has a voracious appetite for reading books. She's been an avid reader for many years now. She is also a fine writer, and has been writing and journaling for years also. I've read some of her writing, and am so impressed with her intelligence and talent. She's a darn good writer, and I believe has the potential to be published at some point.Well, I was an avid reader and writer at her age, so I can relate to her in that way. I think I can relate to her very well. And I'm so proud of her and I love her, and am lucky to have her as a niece. And so I thought it would be nice to make her a small piece of art for Christmas. I wanted to make something to encourage her in her writing. At least that was the goal of this piece.
This is a 4x6 inch postcard format, and the base is frozen pizza cardboard. The background is a multi-colored piece of scrapbook paper glued down on the base. Then I used gel medium to glue down a piece of dyed cheese cloth on the left half of the piece. I cut some quotes on "Authorship" out of a book, crumpled it up, then rubbed brown paste shoe polish over it, and glued that down over the cheese cloth. The hearts were punched out of paint chips. The circle and triangle shapes are vinyl paper clips. I wrote the text with Bic permanent markers, and then rubbed the shoe polish over that whole part, including over the paper clips. I sealed the whole piece with Acrylic Floor Finish. (You can find it at Family Dollar stores.)
This was a fun, simple piece to make. I hope the message will mean something to Shannon, and that she'll find it encouraging. Because I really want to encourage her to pursue her writing, I think she is that good.
It's beautiful, Valerie. She's a lucky girl.
ReplyDeleteShannon will be so happy and proud of her gift. Great work!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great aunty you are to make this piece for Shannon, sure she will love it - and fingers crossed for her writing in the future x
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift! Your niece can't helped but be encouraged and inspired by such a heartfelt gift.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! ~ Cindy
really sweet, val!
ReplyDeletei know that i have gifts that my favorite aunt made me when i was little and even though they are small gifts they loom large in my personal history... this seems like that kind of gift...really thoughtful!
xoxo
jul
Very nice! Will you be placing it in a frame or will it become a bookmark? I bet she'll love it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a special gift for Shannon, Val . . . she's going to FLIP over it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVal I love the heart you put into your art, and the love and encouragement you convey as well as the art itself.
ReplyDeleteThis is really lovely. I am sure your niece will love it. It is so important for teenagers to be respected and have someone to talk to. She is very lucky to have you.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful, your niece will love it for certain.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Shannon will be disappointed. I too am and was at a very early age a lover and reader of books. I'm actually addicted. In 4th grade my journey really began with the book Christy and I've never looked back.
ReplyDeleteI love that you added zing with the orange color. Very refreshing and delightful.
This is a beautiful gift. Thanks for your award you gave me. Im so busy with my 2 kids coming home for tgiving I havent even been on the computer. They all just left. I hope to finish my art I started. I love all your collage as well. Thanks for recognizing me on your website. It is an honor.
ReplyDeleteIt's very beautiful. What a lovely gift to encourage her natural talent!
ReplyDeleteI think Shannon will love it. It's so personal and cool, how could she not. There you go "being green" in your art and bold in your use of materials. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteOh Val, this is such a personal gift for a niece that you obviously have a very special connection too....It conveys that connection so beautifully and with deep meaning.
ReplyDeletegreat work! nice gift!
ReplyDeleteI am extremely blessed to have an aunt that would take the time to craft such a piece as this. Intricately fashioned to fit the gift I have been given, that of writing, she has captured all aspects of one's creative being in this piece alone. She has truly inspired me to pursue my writing, as she has since reading a portion of it a few years ago. Though I am accustomed to using words in expressing myself and emotions, she has shown me through her art that I can be expressive in other ways as well. This piece will remain with me for years to come, always inspiring me, despite the challenges ahead.
ReplyDelete~Shannon
The above comment was posted by my niece, Shannon, for whom this art piece was made. Somehow my name is on there for who posted, but she did, and it's totally her comment.
ReplyDeleteSee,I told you she's good at writing....very, very good. Can you believe a 16 year old wrote the comment? And what a sweet comment it is. Thank you, Shannon.
You're a sweetheart for sure.
Val Foster