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Title
Soul Traveling by Arlene Bates
Description
This is a mixed medium, using core board as the base and applying combinations of acrylic paint and various types of papers.
Material(s) Needed
Collage Canvas Board, Stretched Canvas or Core Board. Acrylic paints in a variety of colors. Scraps of interesting papers, include Mylars and a variety of textured papers. Acrylic matt or gloss medium. Scrap-bookings scissors. Other tools of interest could be plastic needlepoint forms (circle or other shapes), and a texture tool with variety of ‘teeth’.
Instructions
Make sure your 'board' has been gesso for best application results.
Decide on your color combinations. I used mostly jewel-tone colors in
mine. Some of my acrylic paints were pearlized craft paints.
Spread a variety of colors of paint on the board, using your texture
tool, make grids, x marks, swirls, blending the paint colors into each
other. Layer other 'needle point plastic forms" on the wet paint and
press into the paint or you can paint over the grid to create designs.
These come in the shapes of circle, heart, crosses, diamonds, etc. They
can be purchased at most stores that handle needle/yarn crafts. Let this dry.
Using the scrap-booking scissors that come in a variety of zigs and zags or designs, cut paper pieces, just cut shapes that are pleasing to you. I cut a variety of types of paper. I used the metallic, leather style, and rice papers several of which I purchased from Paper Origins. If you have Mylar wrapping paper, cut some of that, use lace or other textures to build your design. I used an old car travel map, in this collage. Think about pages from an old book, magazines, love letters or cards to create interest and personal messages.
Layer the paper in a variety of directions before using the Acrylic medium to glue them permanently. As you glue the pieces, connect them to each other in a way that allow the painting to have light and darks and
create interest which will carry the eye throughout the piece.
Sometimes I turn the canvas in different directions as I work on it to see what appeals to me the best. Heavier darker colors will have a tendency to create a 'weighted look' so there will need to be some contrast of light and dark to enhance create movement. Work with the shapes, colors and layout to make your work flow. Protect the piece by adding a clear layer of acrylic base finish.
Have fun with it!
Comments (By the Artist)
I use my art as my time to reconnect and center with my true self. This particular piece was created during a time I encountered a spiritual break through. That’s why I entitled it ‘Soul Traveling’. The flickers of purple Mylar paper represent the hope and love I gathered in my travels from my friends, from God, and from my family during the darker times, leading my soul into the openness of the light…the truth, the way to the ultimate peace and freedom.
About the Artist
Arlene Bates is a local artist based in Nashville, Tennessee. She reclaimed her creative self about 8 years ago when she began oil painting. She is member of Tennessee Art League. She has received recognition of her art through juried shows, and won a 2nd place prize recently in a show called 'Fabulous Fakes' for her rendition of Van Gogh’s Terrace Café. She mostly does oil paints or forms of mixed medium collage styles. Recently, she has put together an art program that ministers to woman and the art process for this program is entitled 'Heart Art'. Her email address is Artlene37214@yahoo.com.
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