Saturday, October 16, 2010

The perfect perch: an ATC

I always try to make two entries for any swap I host. And my Birds in Hats swap is no different.

When I first considered the theme of this swap, I remembered I had purchased a metal stencil this summer at the scrapbook/altered art store I love: Mrs. O'Leary's. Joanie, the owner, attends a ton of trade shows, so some of you who live in the states and attend those shows might know her. She also designs her own stamps.

Back to the point (I'm easily distracted by art, my blog, and life in general this week), I decided that most people would focus on Birds that were wearing hats, but since I had this rather "cutesy" stencil I decided to use it in the swap. I began by adding deep purple Staz-on and 91% alcohol to the background. I can hear you now. Does she have any other background she can play with? Well, yes, but this one works so well, because the paper (card stock in this case) never buckles, something I really love, since it means I don't have to press the papers under a stack of books for weeks on end. Then I grabbed the stencil, some low tack masking tape, and Dimensional Texture, a product put out by Plaid. It reminds me of modeling/molding paste, but it is colored. I went to town on the stencil, and while the mask was still in place, I added gesso to the "snow" on the cap. This was a fun ATC to create because I got to play with my new stencil, my very first metal one.

A couple of days ago, Ravenpainting's Lori Saul made a digital collage in the style of artist Maggie Taylor. I had never heard of Maggie Taylor before, so of course I had to check out her web site. I have to admit, Lori has good taste. I immediately fell in love with Maggie Taylor's style which is, if I'm reading her web site correctly, now focusing on digital art. If you click on "news," you can see all the places she and another artist have a dual showing in places like Italy, San Diego, and Atlanta. They will also be lecturing at the end of this month at the Nelson Atkins Art Museum in Kansas City, MO. What I would give to attend. I'm sure you're going to flip over Maggie's art. Much of her art centers around Alice (in Wonderland) and the White Rabbit, but there are other pieces, too. Her art is contemporary, yet has that steampunk influence, which I am now drawn to. I hope you enjoy Maggie Taylor today.

10 thoughtful remarks:

Halle said...

Fun technique! Love the little bit of snow on the hat.

Caterina Giglio said...

darling atc, I will toddle off to view the link, love Lori's work!

Terri Kahrs said...

How adorable!!! Love the "snow"!!! Happy Weekend! Hugs, TErri xooxox

Unknown said...

I am liking it alot ;0)

Love Dawn xx

~*~Patty S said...

Love the closeup of your bird hat ATC E!
You have reminded me about brass stencils and the paste ... thanks for the inspiration.
Lori is a fantastic and inspiring artist and Maggie Taylor is fabulous too. She has done some animated bits that open different TV shows even.
oxo

Miss Kitty said...

Greetings Elizabeth and Bleubeard,

Thank you for introducing us to other wonderful artists. Ravenpainting's Lori Saul lives on a half hour from us and Maggie Taylor is a wonderful artist too.

Thank you for stopping by and giving your support for her candidacy as Empress of California. I am sure Bleubeard's registration is all up to date.

Wishing you a great Sunday,
Miss Kitty and Egmont

Zue said...

Thanks for this...I enjoyed reading your narrative and I will certainly visit the artists you mention.

Have great day
Sue xx

Zue said...

The above comment was intended for the previous posting..

I love your bird and hat. I don't possess any metal stencils, but I shall be on the look out.
The background is amazing. I like the idea of not buckling when wet.
How do you mix the stazon and alcohol? I don't know if we can buy such high strength alcohol in the UK.
Love your ATC.
Sue xx

Unknown said...

I love your bird atc......the stencil was perfect....

Cindy McMath said...

REally fun ATC Elizabeth, and your masked marvels too! I am sorry I didn't get a chance to join in this one. I have been on vacation and then got quite sick, which is why you haven't heard from me for weeks on end. Hope to be back fully operational by next week!

Cindy :)