Sunday 16 September 2012

Texture . . . . . New Challenge At ABAC

The second challenge goes live at ABAC today. We had a fantastic turnout for the first challenge and I really enjoyed looking at all the entries. It made me realise how many talented people there are all over the world.

The theme this fortnight is Texture and you can make anything as long as it's not a card, so the scope is endless! I love this theme because there are so many fantastic ways to incorporate texture into your work and I'm sure I'll learn a few more by the end of this challenge!

For my piece, I decided to make a canvas using a family picture (my beautiful daughter) as this is something I've wanted to do for ages. I've seen some amazing examples and have been inspired by people such as Finnabair, Trish Latimer and Michelle Webb to name but a few.

 I'm not sure that the finished piece works that well (my Husband thinks it just showcases techniques and has had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at it!!) but what it does do is show a number of ways in which texture may be added to a project.

 Here's what I made and I'd love to hear what you think:  (I had to take these in very bright light so they may look a little bleached - sorry!)

The canvas started with a layer of texture paste through a stencil, followed by some strips of fabric glued in various layers. A coat of gesso was applied to these. The different layers were then built up: paint, inks, die cuts, elements such as shells, charms, beads, scrap jewellery and wooden embellishments - I'm sure I've forgotten some too!



The hinges are die cuts which received the same finish as the flowers and the key plate. The inky spots which are randomly placed around the canvas, were made using distress ink and a stencil - I used a heat gun to dry them to avoid smudging.
You might also notice the edge of the photo was finished with embossing powder for a distressed look.

The flowers were made using die cuts then finished with an Andy Skinner paint technique. I wanted to make the rust flowers so they stood out against the other very feminine elements - not sure if this is what Andy intended for his paint techniques but I don't think he'd mind! I just love the 'rivets' and I have loads of ideas for using this in the future!

The letters are die cuts using Crafty Individuals paper which was stuck onto scrap packaging card. After cutting, some gold Rub & Buff was applied randomly to each letter and you will see it around the canvas and on some of the elements used.
The die cut behind the letters was given a coat of acrylic paint then some texture paste through a stencil; this was inked when dry. I love the way the acrylic paint and gesso changes the distress ink colour - Walnut DI was used. 

Various fabrics were used including hessian (burlap) and a beaded/sequinned fabric for texture.
A strip of corrugated card was embossed with shabby white enamel and some gesso was swiped across to tone down the brown. Even the metal heart didn't escape the treatment!





I know this post is very 'picture' heavy but I wanted to try and show you as many of the elements as I could - not an easy task in this case! Will I make another canvas like this? Oh, I think so because I have a beautiful 4 year old Niece who would be an ideal candidate. . . . . .and I had fun making this despite some misgivings and I'm realising that's what it's all about!

39 comments:

  1. Hi Julia, I thing your hubby is partly right, for it does showcase your fabulous rusting technique (and if I could do that I would be rusting everything!!)but the rest is just plain beautiful. Love the textures the fabric, beads and corrugated card create, the background stencilling is perfect and the whole canvas comes together so well. It is very elegant and I love it, - a lot. Crafty hugs, Anne x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Okay... I am just LOVING this! The details are amazing. I can't even imagine being able to do something so beautiful! The rusted flowers are too cool. I love the contrast between the feminine and the rough....just perfect! The different textures you created are fabulous! It's too bad we are so far apart geographically because I would love to see this in person and have you teach me to do even a tiny bit of this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Really beautiful, love the contrast between the soft, feminine parts and the hard and rusty masculine ones! Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a load of great details Julia, and we can enjoy them thanks to all the pictures...your paint technique is amazing!!! Love that look...and it fits very well on your canvas.
    Wow...I can't mention everything I love hahaha..so I say: Julia, this is AMAZING!

    hugs, Alie :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow Julia, it's always a great pleasure to visit your blog! Beautiful canvas. So much to see, i keep looking! Love the letters, adore the 'Skinner' flower (must really try that too someday...) and what a great idea to emboss the edge of the photo ( indeed, a beautiful daughter). The black and white photo fits perfect in the canvas.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wowwwwwwwwwwwww Julia this is amazing
    Really a great piece of art with a lot of details.
    Love it

    Greetings Janny

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow wow wow, what a stunning piece of work my lovely, it sure does showcase your fabulous skill and execution of various techniques. I can't sit on the fence with this one as I disagree with your DH in that I believe your canvas shows heart and soul your love for your daughter, you have truly done a beautiful lady justice and you should be very very proud.
    Big hugs x x x x

    ReplyDelete
  8. An incredible project Julia which for me all works so well. I love the colour scheme - so soft yet actuallly quite masculine despite the lace. And the flower and hinges just pull it all together. Fantsstic!! I am sure your daughter will love it.

    If it is any consolation my husband would probably have said something similar!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well I think it's absolutely amazing and I think all the elements work together perfectly and I love, love, love your rusted flowers, they look fabulous.

    Sam xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Julia that rusty Andy Skinner technique is amazing, really looks good. Your canvas is amazing too. Michelle x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love, love, love it!!! Every little detail is absolutely awesome. I'm so glad you were generous with pictures, so that I could see the fabulous details up close. I wish you would teach an online class. Blessings and hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is gorgeous and I love all the texturing details, truly something in which you need to look at closely to see all the goodness in it! awesome! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This just ooozes texture in the best way!!! LOVE IT :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Julia you had to be kidding me with your comment on the pumpkin card (although I've been very about it, of course :-)), you do such great artful works around here which I can only dream of.
    This canvas is absolutely stunning! And your daughter is very beautiful, too .-)
    Just adore this piece!
    Hugs, Suzanne xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. Boy that does look good ! it's all been said fabulous :)
    Von ♥

    ReplyDelete
  16. great textures julia, love the rusty hinges. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow, wow, WOW! Your canvas looks amazing. I LOVE those rusty hinges and flowers as well as all the other gorgeous details you added. Your daughter is beautiful!
    Hugs and smiles

    ReplyDelete
  18. Really touched that you took the time to look through my blog and wrote all those lovely comments and no need to apologise for late commenting cos I'm guilty of that too - life happens and next time just comment when you can :-) ...You have a very beautiful daughter and you have made a very beautiful canvas to show case her picture.I especially loved the rusty looking Tim Holz flower couldn't believe that it was a paint technique!! x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really touched that you took the time to look through my blog and wrote all those lovely comments and no need to apologise for late commenting cos I'm guilty of that too - life happens and next time just comment when you can :-) ...You have a very beautiful daughter and you have made a very beautiful canvas to show case her picture.I especially loved the rusty looking Tim Holz flower couldn't believe that it was a paint technique!! x

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is totally out of this world, love it! M x

    ReplyDelete
  21. So much gorgeousness going on here and that flower is truly to die for. I've noticed in Finnabair's work that it is her composition that really makes all the difference. She collects all the elements around the photo and sometimes also in another smaller area, leaving large areas of the canvas unembellished. Would arranging things this way make a difference? Just a thought. Love that you're enjoying playing with all this texture and technique. Hugs, Buttons x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! I think you're probably right on that point Buttons. Trouble is, I don't do straight copies of things and like to do my own version so a straight 'Finnabair' wasn't and option. I think the mistake I may have made was getting carried away enjoying myself too much in a confined space! If I do one for my niece, the canvas will be bigger and less crowded! Thanks for your thoughts though.xxxxx

      Delete
  22. I love your rust effect!! If you wanna share your technique my ears are wide open! So glad to be working with you at ABAC

    ReplyDelete
  23. The canvas is beautiful and I like the contrast between the pretty feminine elements and the grungy rusty ones - that flower is stunning. Elizabeth xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. How fantastic, a wonderful piece of art.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is stunning! Loved the whole concept, especially how you've rusted some of the embellishments. What a gorgeous photo!

    ReplyDelete
  26. The kitchen sink maybe would have been that one piece too much on that lovely canvas, Julia ;)

    But I love every detail (sure, I still have missed one or the other and will have to look longer and closer). The element that stunned me most is the corrugated cardboard with the shabby white enamel on it. It creates the impression of a precious old picture frame and I so love this one!!!!

    Beautiful frame for your beautiful daughter!!!!

    Hugs,
    die amelie xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Wondeful, Julia !! Great artwork !

    ReplyDelete
  28. I think this is lovely! The rusty elements contrast so nicely with all the soft creams and you have tons of wonderful texture here. I just signed up for that Andy Skinner class... can't wait to learn that funky technique!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for your lovely comments about my tag. I'm glad you saw what I was trying to interpret with water movement. I'm really inspired by your work and look forward to visiting your blog, frequently.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Texture heaven!! I love all you've got here! The rusty bits are my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I do believe you have perfected the meaning of the term 'texture'!! This is gorgeous and as much as I love everything on this, the 'rusty' pieces are blowing my mind. Even in the close ups, they look like old metal. Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is the most detailed lay-out. I just love the rust look. I tried to find his technique you mentioned. Any chance you could send me the link for how you got the rust to look so natural. Love it!! Thanks, Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow Julia your page is outstanding!!! So many great details and rusty flowers...totally love it!! Your daughter is really beautiful and her photo really fit to page (or page fit to photo)!
    Awesome work!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I saw the snippet and thought very nice and NOW I see the whole piece with all the gorgeous details and I am going WOW!
    This is a truly beautiful canvas. It is as Ana K said - outstanding. I do not consider it crowded at all. Trust your instinct, follow no leader and make it yours is working for you beautifully!
    PS As a longterm texture junkie it pushes all my buttons!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Julia, just catching up - can't believe I must have missed this.
    This is gorgeous, and so many beatiful elements. Love the rusty floweres on such a feminine page.
    Avril xx

    ReplyDelete
  36. I think it's fantastic, Julia! You're absolutely rocking that rust technique - the hinges look fantastic, and the flower's a genius idea. All the texture and details are just delicious... I especially love the hessian just melting into the canvas and the corrugated cardboard. Oh, and the letters - yum! Have just ordered some rub'n'buff after, I think, reading about it here before - can't wait to play. Have a lovely Sunday!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oooh how wonderful !!! Really fantastic, Julia! I think I have to google the man and the technique. I´ve never heard before. I´m glad to discover your blog.
    Lg siljan

    ReplyDelete
  38. Absolutely stunning!!! The texture is amazing and the whole design is fabulous! I've pinned it!

    ReplyDelete

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