Point of View - Bold and Bright Mixed Media Painting on Canvas

I've created this painting for a specific occasion, and as it sometimes happens - it turned out different than I expected, due to many changes during the process of working on it.

I've used so many stencils, stamps, and the DecoArt Media line products - so many layers of different colors, I can't start listing them but I hope you can see under the surface that each part was colored quite a few times...
I also used various inks and a white gel pen.

First, I colored all of the 24x24 inches (60x60 cms) canvas in black, and then I started layering it with various acrylic paints until I was satisfied with the background of each section.

All the outlines and contours were freehand drawn using a white gel pen.

You can easily notice each stencil and stamp I used, but I'll give you a list if you insist…

As many people have different interpretations to what I've painted, and that also changed during the process, I'll leave it to you to tell me what you see in there.

There are so many details, large and small figures, various themes which all connect to a main one. Yet, apparently, each viewer sees it differently, and has another point of view than mine (which is fine by me).

I'll show you several detailed photos.

So go figure it out, and let me know what you think.

Andy Skinner's stencils used:

Code Breaker

Tornado

Sequin Waste (Tando Creative)

Challenges:

Andy Skinner – Bold & Bright

Designs By Ryn - March Customer Creation Challenge

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Vintage Letter Thank You Card

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 2nd card for this week is a Thank You card in Vintage colors, using a Kraft card basis and Kraft CS for the stamped sentiment, which is the dictionary definition of the word Todah (i.e. thank you, in Hebrew).

The patterned paper background paper is in shabby chic style, and the patterned paper used for the Rosette was designed with old letters and post cards.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Hummingbird stamp (small) from the Mini Wings set.

I stamped it on a contrasting light blue paper using VersaFine Ink - Black Onyx, and cut it using Michael Strong's Mini Wings Metal Die Cutter Set -  they are so easy and fun to use!

I also used Tim Holtz Rosette (large) with a snowflake on top of it, which was cut out of a Vintage patterned paper, as a tribute for Christmas and for a dramatic 3D look.

Both the Rosette and the stamped tag with the sentiment were inked all around, to give them a distinct, eye-catching frame.

I glues the Rosette, The sentiment and the Hummingbird 3D, and added several colorful blings.

You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Japanese Fan and Flowers Card

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 1^st card for this week is a Christmas card in non-traditional colors, using Japanese themed elements.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Silhouette Fan stamp (medium) from the Cloisonné Silhouette Fan set.

I heat embossed it in white, and accented it with colorful blings.

I also used Tim Holtz Snowflake Rosette for a dramatic 3D look.

I think it actually makes everything pop out!

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Winged Fairy Halloween Card

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. 

I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 3rd card for this week is a Winged Fairy Halloween Card.

It's another very detailed card in typical Halloween colors, made with some help from my dear friend Kelli Green.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Leaves stamp (large), which I stamped on a transparent sheet and cut the leaves, and then I adhered them using a transparent double sided tape, so that the Fairy seems to be flying with her wings in the air.

Actually, she's supposed to be a witch… but she's too cute for that, isn't she?

You can see the 3D effect when looking at the card from a different angle.

I also stamped both sides of the envelope, leaving space for the address and postal stamps.

I hope you got some more Spooky Halloween inspiration!

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Spooky Pot Fairy Halloween Card

I'm Card Captain of the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group for this week, so for 5 days I'll be showing you several works using Michael Strong's stamps. I hope you'll find them inspiring.

My 2nd card for this week is a Spooky Pot Fairy Halloween Card.

It's a very detailed card in typical Halloween colors, made with some help from my dear friend Kelli Green.

I used Michael Strong's Cloisonné Pot stamp (large), which I heat embossed and cut, and then turned it upside down, so that the Fairy seems to be emerging out of the container.

Actually, she's supposed to be a witch… but she's too cute for that, isn't she?

You can see the 3D effect when looking at the card from a different angle.

I also stamped both sides of the envelope, leaving space for the address and postal stamps.

I hope you got some Spooky Halloween inspiration!

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. 
Have a creative day! Dorly

Former Outdoor Exhibition in Ramat HaSharon - September 2013

In my city, Ramat HaSharon, there's a very active art scene.

Many exhibitions are open to the public, giving the artists a stage to show their artwork, and enabling the public to get to know them.

Every year there's an Open Studio event, where chosen artists open their home or studio and let people in, so their work is exposed to the public. It's a celebration of color, texture and inspiration, along with a special way of meeting people, making ART accessible to everybody.

Every few months, a new outdoor exhibition is being opened. It's either showing works of one or two artists, or (usually) it's an eclectic exhibition showing chosen works of several dozen artists from Ramat HaSharon, with a specific subject they need to work on.

Last September, the subject was "10 years to the Open Studio event".

I participated in that exhibition, and my work was dedicated to the subject.

The background of the canvas was layered with pieces of a map of Ramat HaSharon, and I was randomly mixing the neighborhoods and the streets.

The buildings and the private houses both exist in my city. They were cut out of white, kraft and colorful CS, as artists are versatile and colorful people. They were glued 3D for extra dimension. They stand for the artists' homes, which were open for public visits every year.

The Tim Holtz Weathered Clock die, showing the time - 10 o'clock, is a symbol of the 10 years during which the Open Studio event has been taking place.

And on a more personal note… I usually don't share my private life here, but this is a serious matter and can't be ignored.

That former outdoor exhibition was opened on September 27^th, 2013.

A week after that, on October 3^rd, my beloved husband Mickey passed away. He left a huge void in my heart.

He was the love of my life, he was the wind under my wings, and he definitely was my best friend for more than 26 years. He always supported my creativity (including hoarding stuff!) and he was very proud of me.

I haven't been able to create anything for months afterwards, and only recently I got my MOJO back - I'm thankful for that.

A new outdoor exhibition will be opened tomorrow, on Israel's Independence Day. One of my works will be there. I wish Mickey could be there, too.

I know he would have wanted me to go on with my life, to be creative and to strive for happiness.

After having my first vacation in years, I feel like I've recharged my emotional batteries. I hope I'll find time and peace of mind to get creative again, so you'll be hearing from me soon.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it) 
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Lady Owl Sitting On A Branch Card

Here's the card I created yesterday as your Card Captain for the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
I created this card using both earth tones and pastel contrasting colors, so that the green and brown are typical forest colors, yet the pastel colors enhance the Lady Owl.
She seems like a very clever and elegant lady bird to me, perched on the branch and watching around her.

Supplies used:

Cream CS for the card's basis
Forest green canvas textured CS
White CS for embossing
White CS, recycled from a box, for the branch and for stamping and heat embossing the Owl
Tim Holtz Sizzix Woodgrain Texture Fades Embossing Folder
Ranger Distress Ink - gathered twigs
Ranger Inkssentials ink blending tool applicator
Sizzix Bigz Die - Bird Branch
Michael Strong Whimsical Owls stamp
Embossing Ink
Michael Strong Weathered Copper EP
ProMarkers
White Gel pen
Clear blings
Double sided foam tape

I used white CS for embossing, using Tim Holtz Sizzix Woodgrain Texture Fades Embossing Folder.

I colored it with Ranger Distress Ink - gathered twigs, highlighting the raised parts.
I cut only the branch out of white CS, recycled from a box, using Sizzix Bigz Die - Bird Branch.
I colored the branch with ProMarkers.
Then I layered the forest green canvas textured CS, the Woodgrain embossed CS and the colored branch.
I added faux stitches, using a white Gel pen.

I stamped Michael Strong Whimsical Owls stamp on white CS, using Embossing ink, and heat embossed it using Michael Strong Weathered Copper EP - I just love its mixture of colors, it gives a result of an antique patina.
I cut the Owl with scissors, colored it with ProMarkers and added clear blings for the Owl's eyes.
The Owl was glued 3D with foam tape for extra dimension.
Whom do you think the Lady Owl is waiting for?

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Not All Who Wander Are Lost.

I made 10 pages for an Art Journal Prompts Swap at AllThingsTim Yahoo Group

Here's one of my pages:

Supplies used:

White Cs
Tim Holtz embossing folders - Retro
Andy Skinner mask by Tando - Children
Inksssentials ink blending tool
Ranger Distress Ink - faded jeans
Tim Holtz stamps - Ultimate Grunge: crackle, bubble wrap, numerals
Tim Holtz stamps - Lost and found: the sentiment "Not All Who Wander Are Lost."
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black, Crimson Red
Ranger Distress Re-inkers - fired brick, pine needle
70% Alcohol in misters
Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist - Cosmos
Tattered Angels - Glimmer Mist Chalkboard - Grape Ape
Dylusions ink spray - Lemon Zest
White Gel pen

I embossed the white CS with Tim Holtz embossing folders - Retro (2 of them), to give the paper some extra dimension.



I used Andy Skinner mask - Children, inked it and then sprayed all over it, using various colors and glimmer mists.

I stamped several images occasionally.

Then I highlighted the children and the sentiment with a white gel pen.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Decorative Corner Bookmarks

This is my 4th creation for this week as Card Captain at the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
It's Technique Thursday, so I used a tutorial I found in Hetty's blog - thank you, Hetty!

You can use any patterned paper and any flat embellishments to decorate your bookmarks.

Michael Strong's small stamps are perfect for decorating bookmarks, as well as other objects - they seem to fit everywhere!
Bookmarks are always useful (I read several books simultaneously), and a lovely addition to any gift, especially to books…

Supplies used:

ScorPal
Bone folder
Basic Grey and Making Memories 6" x 6" patterned papers
Recycled cereal box (white and kraft) and leather textured CS (red) for stamping
Ranger Distress ink - gathered twigs
Inkssentials Ink Blending Tool
Michael Strong stamps - Cloisonné Fan (small), Cloisonné Dragonfly (small), Hetty's Coffee Cup (small)
Emboss Ink
Embossing powder - black and brown
VersaFine ink - Onyx Black
Purple Sharpie marker

You can find the Tutorial here. The steps are easy to follow, and there's also a video tutorial.

For double sided CS, I used it as it is.
For patterned CS with a white back, I used Ranger Distress ink - gathered twigs to color the white part which can be seen after folding.

I folded the papers according to the instructions.

I stamped Michael Strong's stamps - the Coffee Cup and the Dragonfly - using Emboss Ink, and heat embossed it using brown and black EP.
I stamped the Fan using VersaFine ink - Onyx Black.
I cut them all with scissors and glued each stamp on a folded bookmark.

Here's how the bookmark looks on a book.
Don't forget to keep on reading…
(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)
Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly

Sweet Birthday Flower and Snowflake Rosette Card

This is my 3rd card for this week as Card Captain at the enjoyMichaelStrongstamps Yahoo Group.
It's a sweet birthday card, in vivid colors.
The ice cream reminded me of snow, so I used the Snowflake Rosette as a main motif.

Supplies used:
Cream CS for the card's basis
Red leather textured CS
Basic Grey patterned paper
White CS for the Snowflake Rosette and for the sentiment
Light blue leather textured CS for stamping
Ranger Distress ink - fired brick
Michael Strong Cloisonné Flower Stamp (small)
Emboss Ink
Gold EP
Gold ink
Plain round brad, hand painted with red nail polish
Tim Holtz Snowflake Rosette Die
Green Gel Pen
White, light green and pink half pearls with sticky back
3D double sided foam tape

I cut, folded and adhered the Snowflake Rosette, then I added some gold ink to make it more shiny and elegant.
I stamped Michael Strong's Cloisonné Flower using Emboss Ink, and heat embossed it using gold EP.
I cut it with scissors and glued it to the center of the Snowflake Rosette.
I added a plain round brad, hand painted with red nail polish, for decoration and to hold the flower and the Snowflake Rosette together.
I added fired brick Ranger Distress ink to the BG paper and to the white CS, in order to enhance them.
The sentiment was hand written by me, using green Gel Pen.
I layered the papers, adhered the sentiment 3D, and added quite a few half pearls with sticky back, to fit the ice cream colors and for extra glam.

(You can enlarge each photo by clicking on it)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed. Have a creative day! Dorly