Stencil Test Drive: The Retro Flowers/Circles Stencil and a Giveaway!

Welcome to the Stencil Test Drive, featuring the Retro Flowers and Circles Stencil and the beautiful art of Michelle Rydell,
Natasha May, and
Maria McGuire.  

I designed the Retro Flowers and Circles Stencil with the shapes of the 1950s and the colors of the 1960s in mind.  On the left is the design I created first.  You can see how I adapted it for the stencil.

For the test drive, I decided to play in my journal.  

I experimented with spray inks on two different spreads over two different surfaces.  I covered a spread in my journal with gesso (1), and began spraying Dylusions ink in Calypso Teal and Dirty Martini.  I sprayed through the stencil on the gesso'd spread (2), and then pressed the inky side of the stencil down on the following spread, which I did not gesso and left porous, so as not to waste ink (3).  The spread that I covered with gesso has a much more faded and muted quality to it.  I liked them both, but decided to work with the spread that had gesso underneath it.  I covered it with clear gesso to seal the ink.  This caused the colors to bleed together more, but you can still see the imprints of the stencil (4).

While the clear gesso was drying, I pulled out my gelli plate and began to play with the stencil and contrasting colors of red, pink and yellow.  I made lots and lots of prints, but these are my favorites.

I just received my newest stencil - Windows and Doors - from Stencil Girl, and I had to play with it! So I picked one of my favorite gelli prints, and pounced some black acrylic paint through the three doors (5).   I used my neocolor II crayons to add some additional dimension (6).  I decided to use the open door, because I found this beautiful quote:

Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls."  Joseph Campbell.

 

I thought this was so perfect, because any time I really get my hands inky and painty, I feel completely blissful and something magical happens.

Because I don't own any punches (what's up with that??), my carmex lid came in handy to trace circles on another of my favorite gelli prints (7).  I used my rain stencil for the shape of the person walking through the door, and started laying everything out on my journal page (8).  Some tweaks along the way, and the page was done.

And of course with those left over gelli prints, I couldn't resist making a few tags!

I hope you enjoyed this test drive and seeing the direction my muse led me as I played with the Retro Flowers and Circles.  By following my muse, I found my bliss!  Now go check out:

Michelle Rydell,
Natasha May, and
Maria McGuire to see what they did! 

And now for the GIVEAWAY!  Leave a comment below by Sunday, 3/17, for a chance to win my Jump for Joy stencil!  Follow me on my blog and on Facebook for additional chances to win.  Just let me know in your comment.



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