Monday 27 August 2012

Art For Art's Sake With A Twist. . . . .

The challenge this time at Dragon's Dream is 'Art for art's sake' - we are asked to include a home made background, a quirky character(s) and a twist.

My tag has a hidden twist which will be revealed in the photo sequence!

I didn't really have exactly the type of quirky character stamp that I wanted so I've had a go at drawing my own combining it with part of a stamp image.

Both backgrounds have similarities but one includes a layer of recycled book paper - the details are below.

I have used a white gel pen much more than I ever have before and I'd like to give credit for this to my uber talented blog friend Alie. She uses one to great effect and often works on the philosophy that you just sit down and see where your journey takes you when creating - I tried to do just that this time and it was so much fun! Usually, I mull things over for ever and a day before committing myself - probably why every thing takes so long!

Don't get me wrong, I'll never be the quickest crafter but at least I won't be the last to post this time at Dragon's Dream!!

Here's what I made:


This view of my tag shows my quirky little character #1. . . . 

and here she is with her alter ego, quirky character #2! It was just a bit of fun really - the sentiment 'my mum says I'm a good girl' came first and I thought that I should make it a bit different by adding the undressed girl and questioning the truth of what was said. . . . . .

The backgrounds were made using dylusion sprays, distress inks, stamping in self colours, white gel pen and masks. 

I drew the character and gave her a hat which was stamped from a dylusion border stamp. I then scanned in the figure and printed her out to size. I used a lightbox to trace off the main outline of the girl but left her clothes off to create the second image. Both figures were coloured with pencils.
If you look carefully, you can see some of the stamping in the background. Little die cut flowers are scattered on the first tag to give the 'sweet and wholesome' feel. . . .


The arrow was stamped and embossed in white. All sentiments were made on a label maker, inked and heated around the edges to turn black. If you look hard you will see some stamping in the background amongst the text.
You can see the jump rings on the left hand side of the photo which join the two tags.




I hope you enjoyed seeing my attempt at 'art for art's sake' and that you like it - it was certainly great fun to create!

27 comments:

  1. ...awesome Julia and a cool twist too, good girl/bad girl a great idea, super colours and great doodle work, I'm just getting into these great pens...a really cool make Julia...Mel :)

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  2. Quirky indeed. I look at your crafting and feel mine is so boring... sigh.

    Cassidy

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  3. Hi Julia, I love your quirky tag, the image is fabulous and lovely hidden tag too. Great colours for your backgrounds and brilliant use of the white pen. I know it probably took you ages but it was so worth it! Crafty hugs, Anne x

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  4. Firstly congrats on your well deserved wins recently. Now, as to this pair of tags - they are fabulous.
    You should consider storing some of these images up (when you do more, which you must) as this is how people get started when designing their own rubber stamps. The colours on the backgrounds work so well with each other, especially the second tag, and the text and stamping really brings them to life.
    I agree, Alie's work is unbelieveably good and using white pen is such a clever idea of making an impact with patterns. Now before this turns into a theoretical study on your art I'll away and try to work out how to tackle this challenge!! Hugs to you, Buttons x

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  5. Great work. Which one is you??? Valerie

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  6. Fab-u-lous Julia. I love the jointed tags and the concept of good girl/naughty girl. Great zig zag edging and white pen doodling and it's great fun!! xx

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  7. Hah! I had a feeling that first one was a tad too innocent looking..... you are so funny. Love the colors on your gorgeous BG.

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  8. love the colours on here and the idea of the two tags is a fab one! great doodling too..another great make and love the quirky twist! trace x

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  9. Another great tag Julia. Love the zig-zag edge and all the doodling. Hadn't noticed the jump rings on the first photo and voila a second tag hidden behind. Two lots of superness for the price of one! Excellent. BJ

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  10. Fabulous creation Julia, I thought this was a stamp until I read you had drawn the image.. fantastic work you are so clever.. the images are fab, great colours love it!! Thanks for dreaming with us at TIO.. May x

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  11. Total fun Julie. Love all the brightness and the attitude of your characters!

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  12. Ohhhhhh Julia....Just go with the flow...well you certainly did!!! I'm surprised by this creations from you, what a bright colors, great use of the white gelpen, the hidden stamps, but most of all I like your good girls!!! :-) They are so cute, love the faces and the legs especially grinnnn. I already know that you had fun with this, now I know why: Just go with the flow...Top!!!! Love to see more of this artwork Julia...

    Hugssss, Alie :-)

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  13. What fun you had on making those two tags!

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  14. Haha! This is great, very quirky.

    Cath

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  15. LOLLLL! Great work! Fantastic use of colors and i love the humor.

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  16. :D How cool, thanks for the big smile on my face. Two wonderful tags. Thanks for dreaming with us at TIO this fortnight.

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  17. Fab tags and great twist!!!

    Sam xxx

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  18. Great tags, love the vibrant backgrounds and the white highlights are very striking. Great images too. Tracy x

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  19. Such fun, and so funny! Love your wit, and those glorious vibrant colours - fabulous!
    Alison x

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  20. Very pretty tag love the bright colours and the hirl you drew. Turned out very well. Thanks for sharing at tio

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  21. WOWWWWWWWWWWWW Julia what a great tag.
    Love every detail
    Great work

    Greetings Janny

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  22. Hi Julia, your tag is terrific - like the humour and your quirky characters. The backgrounds are fab too. Elizabeth xx

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  23. Two awesome tags Julia! I love the bright colours & quirky characters!
    Alison x

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  24. Julia I love it, I wondered what the little rings were for when I looked at the first pic, thought they were just a great embellishment, then I scrolled sown to see the second pic. really cool idea. x love the vibrant colours.
    mark x

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  25. BAHAHAHAHA!!!! I love this! Both sides are fabulous, but the back really makes me smile!

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  26. Love this! I never use my white gel pen anymore, but WOW!! It really shines on your gorgeous backgrounds!! Love your quirky (and slightly twisted) girl!! Fabulous creation and the fact that you had so much fun makes it even better!

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  27. Lol I love it, thanks for sharing with us at Dragons Dream TIO. Elizabeth x

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Juliax