Friday, July 29, 2011

Inspiration Avenue: Bird in the Teacup

It's Friday and I almost wasn't ready with my Inspiration Avenue post, which took longer than I anticipated to finish. In fact, I'm still not sure it's finished.


I want to thank Magpie (Maggie) for issuing this popular challenge. I began by making a large container of sun tea using some lovely red raspberry tea bags.


While the tea was steeping in the sun, I got out the second block of wood I "plastered" last week, but didn't use. In order to make it usable, I had to scrape the plaster off the gesso covered cheesecloth, then apply a new coat of gesso.


Without cleaning the gesso from my brush, I first added Golden Fluid Acrylic Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold, then Quinacridone Magenta. I never can remember the name of those paints, so


I took a picture of them. Unfortunately, I'm still not sure I can read the names of the colors. As the paint and gesso were drying, I cut the excess cheesecloth from the wooden block.

It took an entire day for the gesso and paint to dry. It gave me time to clean up my craft mat and dry the tea bag I would use.


Before adding the teabag to the wooden block, I used the teacup stencil I made from a plastic lid and my crow stamp to color the teabag. The teabag's natural mottled colors give it added color and texture. I took this photo right after affixing the teabag to the block, so it was still a bit wet.


And here is the finished and now dry piece. Again, not sure if I'm finished with it, but I really like how this one turned out. Much better than the plaster covered block I made for last week's IA challenge.

Be sure to stop by Inspiration Avenue and join in the fun, if this sounds like your kind of challenge. Of course, I really want to win this month's jar of Inspiration from ImGirl, so maybe I shouldn't encourage anyone else to enter.

24 thoughtful remarks:

Darla said...

I really like this! Thanks for the pictures of the process too.

Darla

Ohhh Snap said...

Beautiful project! I've become an "adder on after it's done too". The tea looks delicous btw :D

Halle said...

Great piece! Love, love the background technique! It gives such depth.

elle said...

Excellent. You've given me a good idea!

voodoo vixen said...

This is lovely Elizabeth!! The bird sitting like it doesn't have a care in the world and the background colours are perfect. Now... you know what would happen if I left it near my desk... I'd add a bit of this.... then a bit of that... then a touch of this.... sometimes it is best to tell yourself it is done and put it out of reach!! LOL

Steph said...

Lovely, E!! simple and nice...happy weekend!!

Jingle said...

Absolutely beautiful piece!

Gloria said...

The swath of brightness is like the sun peeking through a sunset, with the bird watching. Really nice colors.

Anonymous said...

this is beautiful and i love that you photographed theprocess,, i also love that cat!!!!

Maggie said...

Ha! I love your comment about wanting to win the jar of inspiration :) The reason we at IA encourage everyone to enter is that, sadly, we're not allowed to win. LOL, just kidding about the encouragement. (But we really are disqualified from winning...)

I love the bird and teacup. You do such interesting, fun techniques! The colors are amazing and rich!

PetraB said...

A wonderful piece, the background and image work so beautifully together.

Jo Murray said...

That was a lesson itself... thank you. Love the image.

Lynn Cohen said...

I like it too. So hot here it would dry in five minutes or less!

Sunshineshelle said...

OMG LOVE the colours & the graphic simplicity of the teacup & bird to make this stunning piece & using the teabags as well!! You have come up with like a double inspirational answer to the challenge, both in visual & medium - too cool, great result :)

Unknown said...

Wow very interesting process. Thanks for showing your steps. I really like the layers of color, and the stamped bird on the stenciled tea cup is a nice focal point.

WrightStuff said...

Ooh very clever. Thanks for sharing your technique. I don't know about you, but I hate having to wait for things to dry!

Becca said...

I really like this piece!

artangel said...

I think it's beautiful Elizabeth! Gorgeous texture and that raspberry tea gives such a sweet subtle colour. I don't think you should do another thing to it, it's perfect as it is.

Barbara said...

I have to get back to painting , so much inspiration ...Love this piece!

Judy Goddard said...

I really like the way it turned out too! It has a great mood to it.

Claire said...

i just love seeing the magic happen... :)

Unknown said...

I LOVE this piece- the colors, the composition and the technique- all of them work so beautifully together! You should hang this in your kitchen to enjoy every day!

JoZart Designs said...

You should have been a chemist (perhaps you were?) as your art is pure alchemy! So interesting en route to great results.
Love joZarty x

Kim Collister Studio said...

Elizabeth, this is just amazing! You didn't win my jar for the June/July giveaway, but you sure are not lacking in the inspiration department!
Very awesome submission for TEA TIME!