Sunday, February 19, 2017

NBA All-Star Weekend goes RED


I like to create art during the NBA All-Star Weekend,

so I'm off to New Orleans to join the All Stars for a look back at this weekend thus far, and a look ahead at tonight's big game between the East and West (eastern and western conferences).
 
If you are a football fan, and watched Super Bowl 51, you might want to rethink your sport.  Unlike the NFL (National Football League) who knew about Houston's Proposition 1, which was struck down (Prop 1 would have prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity) yet still held the game in Houston, my beloved NBA (National Basketball Association) moved the All-Star weekend from Charlotte, North Carolina to New Orleans, Louisiana (or NOLA).

After the surprising events of the 2016 election, the NBA has remained much more outspoken about current events and the political climate in America than other major leagues. The league pulled the All-Star Game from Charlotte after an anti-LBGTQ law was passed in the state. Several coaches and many players have expressed distaste for Donald Trump. Teams have refused to stay at Trump hotels.  The league continues pushing a global initiative as Trump’s presidency ran on nationalism, and there’s a chance the NBA could even expand to Mexico in the coming years. So rethink your sport and enjoy the rest of the NBA All-Star weekend with me in NOLA.

I was definitely on a red kick for this one.

I started with this glitter crayon, but the only glitter seems to be on the crayon cover.

I decided to try using the crayons on a stencil.  This one was gifted me at Christmas by my friend Chris.

This wasn't turning out as I had hoped,

so I grabbed the dabber used to mark bingo numbers.  I have said this before, that this is a really, really inexpensive alternative to those expensive daubers used by a well known artist.  Yes, this entire container cost less than $1.00 (USD).

I got a bit carried away and added the dabber ink to the vintage sheet music, too.

Next it was time to get messy.

When it was wet, I couldn't see much difference in the metallic from the regular craft paint I used.

I missed a step, because after I added the paint, I dripped it down the page.   Here I'm trying to remove paint using a wet baby wipe.

Goodness, nothing is turning out as I anticipated it!  Even the stencil created a problem by allowing paint to pool under it.  I now believe I should have removed the paint BEFORE I dripped the paint down the used file folder.

Since removing the paint was a bust, I decided to add red using a colored marker.  You can barely see a few letters I tried to remove, but the stencil worked fine with the colored marker. 

Next, it was time to put it all together.  Here is what it looks like after it was all together.  It's intended for Art Journal Journey, and Linda's 50 Shades of Red theme, along with Moo-Mania and More's music theme, as well as Try it on Tuesday's messy theme.

A few close ups show I added an "R" stencil and placed a photo slide behind it that was lying around on my table. 


I was really surprised how glittery and metallic the red paint looked under my full spectrum light once it dried.

I added a red and gold circle to one side of the tag,

and a red circle to the other side.

You can tell my black paint I added for effect was still wet, but I was out of time and didn't want to wait for the specks to dry.  I already made a mess when I tried to wipe off a big blob of black paint, so what you see is what you get.






For this piece I began with a used file folder (I believe they multiply while I sleep), added sheet music I colored in red dabber and glitter crayon, a used stencil, a gifted photo slide, a tag, and red and black craft acrylic paint.

I hope you will join me at Art Journal Journey, Moo-Mania and More, as well as Try it on Tuesday.  Each require something a bit different, but each have some of the greatest mixed media you will find anywhere.  And of course, thanks for joining me here today, too.

21 thoughtful remarks:

chrissie said...

A very interesting project Elizabeth with a great design and artwork.

Thank you for joining us at try it on Tuesday

Love Chrissie xx

Halle said...

Great use of so many great materials. And a another wonderful addition to AJJ.

PS..I'm scheduling my T Tuesday...you can link me up if you notice it posted...

Valerie-Jael said...

You sure went to town on your project, and had lots of messy fun, good for you. I must confess I don't like watching any sports on TV! Have a nice afternoon, hugs, Valerie

Christine said...

Beautifully textured mixed media piece!

Meggymay said...

An awesome piece and I'm sure you must of had fun and enjoyed making it. Great photos of the process, I always forget to take snapshots.
I love the way you made this page.
I don't know much about your national games, but they sound good to watch the same as I would be enjoying the Rugby here.
Thank you for joining our messy fun at TioT's.
Yvonne xx

Anonymous said...

That is am amazing amount of technique in one project. I could really see the difference in the glitter after it dried. So much fun. xox

CJ Kennedy said...

My you certainly found a way to get several themes from one piece of art. And the glitter showed up well. You can never have too much glitter.

I'm not a big sports fan. I watch more for the company of Himself than the sport. Though he will watch pretty much anything that involves a couple of people and a ball, his heart belongs to baseball, specifically the Boston Red Sox.

My name is Erika. said...

I know what you mean about the NFL. They do put a bad spin on the sport for certain. But on the good side, I LOVE your page today. That background is amazing Elizabeth. i love your photo tutorial too. Enjoy your game and the new week. Hugs-Erika

froebelsternchen said...

Oh my gosh - so many amazing techniques packed on this side! Just FAB!
The page is just beautiful and it's a pleasure for me to see that you managed to make one piece for all of my favourite♥ challenges dear Elizabeth!
Thank you so much for joining TIOT, Moo Mania & More as well as Art Journal Journey again!
Happy ne week for you!
oxo Susi

Stephanie Faris said...

I don't know much about sports, but I agree when it comes to supporting things that match our own morals. You're so creative...and that looks like a blast!

Jeanie said...

I love, I just LOVE, watching your process. The crayon on the music -- I hardly ever think of using my crayons. (It would require moving a mountain to get to them, which is another problems altogether!)

I'm sorry I don't have a way to contact you in replying to comments (as I'm never sure if people will come back to a blog). I just wanted to thank you for the very thoughtful comments on my current post about the press and especially for adding special insights from your experience and understanding of history. That is yet another issue that is deeply distressing me and one that I get my action hackles up about. Unfortunately I wasn't well enough to go see the filmed performance of George Takei's Allegiance yesterday at the movie theatre about his experiences in one of the camps during WWII. That and the Roosevelt move were definitely NOT our finest hours as a country and I hope they don't occur again. I really appreciate your perspective. (If you ever want to continue the conversation off blog, my email is jeanie@wkar.org)!

jinxxxygirl said...

The NFL football is the only sport i watch and will continue to watch... Even then we tend to only watch during the playoffs.. Can only handle so much sports.. lol Love your artjournal page and the way you persevered through the mishaps.. Hugs! deb

Sandra Cox said...

I live about forty-five minutes from Charlotte and it just boggles the mind. Legislation has pretty much tethered the city.

Love the use of the music sheet:)

YOU have a great one.


Linda Kunsman said...

oh my gosh I LOVE how this page turned out!! Great job combining the three challenges again too:) I used to watch basketball but only cuz my son was playing and really into it when he was younger. I must say i preferred that to football.

Sandy said...

Wow! Thanks for all the pictures - interesting to see how you accomplished this page. You have more patience than I!!!
Sandy xx

zandra said...

Thanks for sharing the step outs and a great take on the challenge. Thanks for playing with us at TIOT.
Hugz, Z

Divers and Sundry said...

In my house we're following international football (aka soccer) and sumo, and none of those events are being played anywhere in this country lol. I saw some reports of the NOLA happenings, and it looks like a huge event!

Eileen The Artful Crafter said...

Bingo dabbers? Genius, Elizabeth! I just put a set on my Amazon wish list. I'm working on a messy project for TioT right now. Like yours, it has been a challenge with many things not turning out as I hoped. I love how you persisted and ended up with a very cool page.

Margik said...

Great project with fabulous techniques, Elizabeth! Thank you for joining us at Try It On Tuesday.
Mar x

pearshapedcrafting said...

I really LoVe this ! The sheen, the drips, the stencils and the spatters look wonderful and I am sorry that things didn't turn out how you wanted! I love the big red R with the slide behind it too - a brilliant addition!
So pleased you got messy for Try It On Tuesday! Hugs, Chrisx

Rike said...

How interesting to follow you step by step on this creative way to the final piece, where "R"ed has the leading part!
Wish you a fine week!