Art Freebies

Art Freebies is a new blog created by June who each week is going to post a freebie image for us to use in a challenge - we can make anything and in her words "as long as you use this image in your work in some way. ATC'S, COLLAGE, CARDS,TAGS, ALTERED ART, DIGITAL, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING"

The freebie image this week is of Lady Macbeth. I have made a simple ATC by first sticking on the image then making a 'peeling paint' effect background using petroleum jelly and acrylic paint (smear on the jelly, then paint straight over the top and once the paint is dry, wipe over with a dry cloth and the jelly acts as resist.) The quote 'what's done, is done' is from Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 2)and was said by Lady Macbeth to her husband who was distraught after having murdered King Duncan at her instigation. I thought the red peeling paint effect represented all the blood shed in the play.

Jigsaw Jam Swaps

I've recently been taking part in two separate Jigsaw Jam Swaps (on New Inspirations Yahoo group) - so had my work cut out since I needed to alter a total of 10 pieces for other people. (If you want to know more about the concept have a look at this page.

I've now finally finished all the pieces I've been sent and must say that I've thoroughly enjoyed altering them all - even though it is a bit of a worry since you're altering something for someone else and you want to make sure your own piece will fit in with all the others - but you don't know what all the others will be like - scary but challenging!

All the pieces I've done I've put onto my Flickr photostream which may be accessed via the link on this page (see box on first page). I've chosen to blog about my favourite 4 pieces - so starting here with the piece for Carol.

Carol's theme was a 'Vintage Christmas' using colours red and gold. The background to this one had quite a few different applications - white acrylic paint, gold perfect pearls, metallic rubs ons (in various shades of gold). To create a peeling paint look I then applied some vaseline randomly and painted over with some red acrylic. Once that was dry, I then rubbed some of the paint off (where the vaseline had been applied). I stuck the vintage imagine on and some open weave gold fabric. I used a cardboard heart (coloured with red ink and more metallic rub ons) to link in with the heart the little girl in the image is holding. I threaded some gold coloured beads onto some wire and looped it around the heart and down to the bottom of the piece ending with a little metal gold heart charm. At the top are some pieces of thin wood with tape image transferred words 'Spirit of Christmas'. These transfers weren't a complete success since they've buckled slightly, probably because I coated them with some glossy accents which may have been too heavy. However, the words are still legible and add a bit of dimension to the piece. I hope Carol likes it.