2015 Ranger Challenge

Back in December, I was asked to participate in the CHA Ranger Designer Challenge.  This year the task was to use Dina Wakley's Media line to create whatever we wanted on a canvas base. I had to think a while about this one.  I'm not a painter but I love the thick heavy body paint, so I just decided to get over myself and try.

After a Gesso base was painted on (and dried), I added ripped pieces of vintage wallpaper and pages from a vintage school book with Gel Medium.

Once the papers were secure, I started adding layers of Dina's heavy body paint (sky, turquoise, lime, and magenta) to the canvas.   Like I stated previously, the paint is thick and smooth.  It is super easy to manipulate with a brush or wet wipe.  I think my biggest challenge was knowing how much to squeeze out of the tube...sometimes I got it right and other times I had way too much.  I think it is just a matter of practice really.

Funny story before I go on...I decided I really wanted a small touch of yellow (lemon).  I did not get that color in my box, so I went to my local craft store and purchased a tube of Lemon.  I get it to the check out counter and the cashier does not know the price - so with a nice long line behind me, she says into the microphone, "PRICE CHECK ON BODY PAINT".   I quickly stated that it is found in the art section and it's acrylic paint...and not edible the last time I checked.  

Once I had a basic painted background, I used a pencil to sketch some flowers, stems and leaves over the surface, then colored in what I had sketched.  You might notice I added painted Sticky Back Canvas in a few places just to give the canvas more texture and interest.
The last step was to add some stamped images (circles) and the written words, love you.  I used Archival ink in Aquamarine for the stamping, so that it was waterproof.

Once the background was complete, I added another page from the primer book as the focal point.  The old ripped paper seen below the blue chip stamps was sitting on my desk from another project - it came from a vintage cigar box. 
The blue chip stamps are a favorite of mine to find on junking trips (they were a big deal in my house growing up- it was my job to paste the stamps into the book!)  The baby fork is just something I had in my stash and the photo of the woman is from the new idea-ology Photobooth pack.  

There was a wonderful moment of serendipity while I was putting this together.  I needed to get the entire page, Read and Write from the school book so I opened it as far as I could, which revealed the fabric tape that had been used to bind the book.  Low and behold the owner of the book had written their name on the fabric tape.  I was so excited to see that.  It was really too good to pass up so I carefully removed it from the binding and added it to the canvas.  It is laying on the canvas just as it was in the book, with one end rolled back.  Now it was complete.

If you have not seen the other designer challenge pieces, you can view them here on Rangers blog.  Mine kinda sticks out like a sore thumb in the group but I'm okay with that.  I did what speaks to me and that is good enough. 
now carry on,
paula

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Ranger Challenge

Each year at CHA, Ranger sponsors a challenge where crafters and artists are asked to create something with a Ranger Product.  This year the challenge was Distress Paint on a canvas board.

Once the CHA was over, Stampington chose a few of the projects to be published in the July/Aug issue of Somerset Studio magazine.  Since the magazine was just released, I thought I could share a few photos of my piece that were taken before I packed it up for the show.

I painted multiple layers of Distress Paint over the entire canvas starting with a very bright green  background (crushed olive), then covering parts of it with a few layers of blue (evergreen bough, iced spruce, tumbled glass).  Once the background was dry, I drew imperfect lines that give the piece it's visual structure.  Additional layering with bits of paper, stamps, Idea-ology Layering Stencils and Tissue Wrap.

I sketched out flowers with pencil and filled them in with layers of pastel Distress Paint.    To complete the piece, I used Distress Markers in Pumice stone and Black Soot to create the smudged lines and a white Distress Marker - Picket Fence for highlights. 

What I like about using Distress Paint is that it is reactive with water without diluting the color pigment, and of course once dry, it becomes permanent.  What that means to me is that I can manipulate the paint with a brush or a wet wipe to make the paint opaque or as transparent as I wish.  It's all about taking your time to build the layers!

 

 I stamped the quote with Jet Black Archival ink and the Stamper Anonymous set Tall Text.

Distress Paint - crushed olive, evergreen bough, iced spruce,

 tumbled glass, tattered rose, picked raspberry

Distress Marker - Pumice Stone, Black soot and Picket Fence

Stampers Anonymous sets - Mixed Media, Tall Text

If you somehow missed seeing the Ranger Challenge back in Jan - you can find it here.

Well, I hope you will pick up your copy of Somerset Studio - I know I've gotta get one!
now carry on,
paula

InLinkz.com

Wonderful Adventure

I had a few hours today to spend at the work table (in between email, laundry and running a couple errands).  That's the way it goes around here, fit it in when you can!
Follow along and I will show you what I came up with.

I started by painting a small canvas panel with Media white gesso and let it dry.  I started this canvas 6 months ago but hated the color green I used as a base, so I just started over today with a fresh coat of Gesso.  I know I mentioned this before, but this new Gesso of Dina's is nice and thick, yet dries really fast.  I really like the overall coverage much more that the brand I was using.

I picked two colors of Distress Paint...Weathered Wood and Shabby Shutters to paint the canvas.  At this point I wasn't really worried about the paint lines on the canvas since this is really the first of many layers.

Next I added pieces of Tissue Wrap to the canvas with Multi Medium. 

Once dry, I went back with Weathered Wood and covered the edges with the paint.

This is what it looks like so far...again were just in the first of the layering process.

I decided it needed to be grounded at the bottom so I ripped a piece of dictionary text paper (Wallflower paper stash) and added it to the bottom edge with the Multi Medium.  When the paper was almost dry, I ran the Sanding Grip along the bottom a few times to eat away part of paper.

Once I was happy with the edge I created, I colored it with Vintage Photo from the new Distress Mini Stack.

It's getting there...

Lets move to Layering Stencils.  I used Brushed Corduroy and the Numbered stencil to add large numbers across the canvas.  I love this stencil, why don't I use it more? 
Loving how the new Mini Blending Tool is small enough to stencil over each number without crossing into the next.

Remember to wash distress paint off the stencil right away.

Next, a layer of stamping.
Wendy Vecchi Watering Can Archival ink pad (my go to grey) and the new Stampers Anonymous Graph and Croc stamp set.  I used the graph stamp to roll on the stamp image over parts of the canvas.  NOTE: Because the canvas is flexible it is much easier to use the stamp without a block.

I decided the canvas needed another layer of stamping and another color, so I used the large Distress Damask stamp and Fern Green Archival Ink.  I only used the very bottom of the stamp to create the images.

I needed a focal point for the canvas so I turned to my stack of Found Relatives, which I cut out and added gel medium to the back (I know you want to see who the lucky winner is today, right?)

It's the card with the brother and sister! 
I just cut out the girl and saved the boy for another day.  I placed her over the Tissue Wrap butterfly wings and added gel medium over the top with my fingers to seal.

The wings needed a little color so I turned to my Distress Markers, Evergreen Bough, Worn Lipstick and Walnut Stain.  I quickly colored the butterfly, then rubbed the ink with my fingertip for a more subtle look.  I used Walnut Stain for the drop shadow around the girl and along the paper line.

Next, I alcohol inked a small Mirrored Star with Gold Mixative and added it to the girl with Multi Medium.  Perfect for this type of thing since it's super strong and dries clear.

A Chitchat sticker phrase that goes right with my day today...flying across the country on another adventure.  

I used Vintage Photo Distress Ink to add a little personality to the words, then Multi Medium to adhere them (even though they are stickers).  Another MM layer over the top to seal to them to canvas.

 More Walnut Stain Distress Marker work around the Chitchat words.  I love this photo because you can see the texture of the canvas, and for some reason, that is beautiful to me.

A little text from a book that was sitting on my work table waiting for the right piece.

More of my favorite texture shots...

And the final piece. 
Funny how you can barely see the Tissue Wrap now (well, except for the butterfly).  I love the layering process.  Trying to figure out what comes next and what to leave out. You might notice the big space of blue above the girls head.  I like that area because it gives a place for the eye to rest.
Every time I work on a piece, I learn something.  I think that is what is most important for me, the learning process. 

Have a great week.
now carry on,
paula

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