Sunday, January 18, 2009

Bloom (where you are planted)

I've heard this saying before, and yes, it makes a lot of sense. However, it's easier said than done oftentimes. I realize it has to do with accepting one's circumstances, and making the best of them. But I must admit, at times, I've found that difficult to do. Have any of you found that too? Right now I'm going through a difficult and scary time, regarding my work situation, and I'm trying really hard to be calm about it and find the silver lining in what I'm going through. I won't go into any detail here, but suffice it to say that work-wise, things could be going a whole lot better.

So this is the new art I made in the past few days. I didn't plan it to turn out this way, but it did and for the most part, I'm happy with it. Perhaps my work situation is weighing more heavily on my mind and heart than I realized. This is a 5x7 inch piece on my old standby, frozen pizza cardboard (FPC). However, this is two pieces glued together. On the first piece, I ended up crumpling it up to get more texture, so it wasn't laying flat. Once I used gel medium to glue it to another piece of FPC, that solved the problem, as I knew it would.

I started out on the brown side, and used a sharp awl to score diagonal lines in it, to create a harlequin design. For some reason, I've been into harlequins lately. Once that was done, I sanded over it and then rubbed brown shoe polish over it. Then I used Sweetheart Blush acrylic paint over it, one of my favorite colors, especially when it's used with yellow. After that dried, I rubbed yellow paint over it in parts with my finger. Then I stamped the Sweetheart Blush on with a new harlequin stamp, and then did that also with the yellow paint. Then I sealed with Acrylic Floor Finish (AFF) from the Family Dollar Store, which makes the color pop. At that point, I really liked the texture I achieved.

Then I pulled out a rusted washer, (a beautifully rusted washer I might add) from my rusted found object stash, to use as the center of the flower. Then I glued down all the seeds I saved from my yard, that fall from one of our trees. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but I sure love using the seeds in my art. (I don't, however, love them when they fall all over my car!!!) Oh, I forgot to mention that I glued down the burgundy skeleton leaves before I worked on the flower.
Then I sealed again with AFF, and was surprised to find that the color from the leaves started to run. I didn't know that would happen, but I didn't mind so much, it was kind of a happy accident.

The word "Bloom" was etched with an awl on a distressed paint chip. Which was sanded first, then etched, then rubbed with brown paste shoe polish. The key is a wonderfully rusted key from one of my ebay lots, and I glued it down over a piece of yellow fabric. On the real piece, the fabric is yellow, and looks good on this piece. Unfortunately, on the scan, the fabric doesn't look yellow, it looks washed out and much lighter than it is. I sealed it once again with AFF, which accounts for the burgundy on the bloom piece and the fabric.

I used some of my favorite things on this piece. Such as: rusted found object, seeds, distressed paint chip, an old rusted key, fabric, and skeleton leaves. And I'm really liking the effect of the harlequin design on the background. So, all in all, I'm pleased with this piece.

Regarding "Bloom where I'm planted"....well, I'm still working on that.

22 comments:

ionesartstudio said...

I think this is a beautiful piece. I too need to learn to "bloom where I am planted."

Corinne said...

I love it Val! We were both in the flower mode today, I see. :)) Love your materials you use- super!

Michi Michaelson, Orange County, CA said...

I LOVE your rusted key art, Val!!! This is WONDERFUL!!!

Unknown said...

I love your achronym, "FPC". It's up there with Rachel Ray's "EVOO" and the lumber yard's "MDF".

Love your background treatment and I can never get enough of rusty old keys.

morningDove said...

The name for this piece that came to my mind for some reason "Days Gone By". every day in life is a turning point; moving us on. sometimes we struggle to let go, carry on, push forward; but deep within ourselves the fortitude you need is there - sometimes hidden waiting for the "moment". love the way your harlequin pattern and skeleton are subtle textures and the flower reminds me of an ole' windmill or worn out clock. not sure why. I love this piece. really speaks to me today.

Kim said...

Oh Val, yes I know how you feel... every day I have a job, I am grateful. I work retail in a luxury field, we lost 4 corporate members last week. I am told I am safe because of high sales, but I think nobody can really feel safe. Doing art to cope is fabulous! I love your work, this piece is no exception... rusty stuff rocks!

Linda East said...

I can see that these seeds will grow into a beautiful flower...the rusted key is always a sure bet..
your art is always terrific and I love the colors...

Julie said...

I like the harlequin pattern and the rusty pieces are just my cup of tea. I hope you work situation soon becomes clear and isn't as scary as you feel. "Bloom where I'm planted" is a good motto.

nancy said...

This is great! You are inspiring me. I got a new harlequin stamp for christmas, and I have a beautifully rusted washer. Hmmmm.....I'm thinkin'!

Karen Owen said...

You brought all the components together on this piece beautifully. I hope your work situation improves.

Sue Farace said...

just wonderful Val. You are really developing a nice style, keep it up.

sue.

teri said...

This piece is very lovely. I love using found objects too, and especially when they can blend in so well, as you have done here. I hope things work out for the best with your job.

Fibreartist said...

Awesome piece of art Val. Good luck with your job. Donna

Kristy C said...

This is just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

Very cool, I like the seeds, too.

Kelly said...

(I found your blog through the clothpaper yahoo group :) Love the colors on this. The sentiment too...I need to think on that for my own life.

Dobell Family-Reaching Out said...

What a wonderful blog entry, I totally enjoyed it and appreciated whats going on in your world and in so many others. This art work and its words are as symbolic as they are real...meaning the wonderful use of things around you in your environment to create beautiful art to me speaks about looking closer to home to find happiness in the simple things...the words in that we all need to shoot our roots deep into the earth and stand firm and strong while we ride out the storms before us. Make where we are right now the place and space we can be happy in. This is all that your lovely art and your own personal words along with the verse said to me. Thank you I leave your blog feeling like I have received a gift. smiles and hugs Michelle

daysease said...

All I can say is OUCH and Beautiful Piece!!!... thank you

Celita

daysease.blogspot.com
(papercut and creative blog)

perilloparodies.blogspot.com
(family blog)

Ackart said...

This gets me thinking about the warmer weather. I love your background in this. Ill be interested to see how your selling of artwork goes. As I sometimes wonder what to do with all my art I make. Do you ever go to art workshops in Colorado? I dont know of any except up in Fort Collins.

Anonymous said...

Val - you so inspire me. I love this creation.

Mary S. Hunt said...

the texture in this is incredible!
great piece

Unknown said...

I am so happy that I stumbled across your blog....I'm loving it!! Being a floral designer, this piece speaks to me....aren't happy accidents wonderful! Again thank you for including the details of how you acheived your finished art pieces...it is very helpful as a beginner.