Happy Independence Day to all my USA friends. There was a great program on National Public Radio recently about the different ways people celebrate July 4th. For some, it memorializes independence from Britain, for others it is independence from slavery, or obtaining citizenship, or being granted asylum.
I decided to memorialize this July 4th with a flag celebrating the recent US Supreme Court decision striking down key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA. This flag was inspired by the amazing Sue Pelletier.
I made the flag using prints made with my Gelli Plate. I collaged them in blue, off white and red on a 9 x 12 canvas board. I dragged molding paste through my Starry Night stencil from Stencil Girl in the blue box. I embellished the red and off-white stripes with corrugated cardboard, and the dots and dashes stencil. I wrote the words using my super skinny brush and black fluid acrylic paints. Gelli Arts is having a giveaway of their 12 x 14 gelli plate on their Facebook page. All you have to do is post your artwork with stars and stripes by July 4th! And of course, this flag is going to make an appearance at Simon Says Stamp and Show "Stripes"challenge, and Carolyn Dube's Colorful Gelli Party!
While making this flag, I got kind of "Red White and Blue" happy, and also made this design for the City Crafter Cottage Quilt Challenge. I painted the elements using watercolors and gouache, and repeated and assembled them digitally.
and another design for the Simon Says Stamp and Show "Stripes" challenge! With this piece, I painted the dog and cat, hill, house, trees and background, separately, and then collaged them in photoshop, where I also manipulated the images digitally.
Whatever freedom and independence you are embracing, have a wonderful July 4th! Linking also to Inspire Me Monday, Make It Monday, Be Inspired and Be an Inspiration, Glue It On Tuesday, and Creative Every Day.
Thank you for visiting! I hope you will leave me a comment to let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.
I love your flags! Its a greatthing when good things seem to happen in gvmt
ReplyDeleteWhat a very clever way to make the flag, love it.
ReplyDeleteI love all of your flags, but especially the first one - what a great tribute to an important day in history! Your art is always so heartful - I love that about you!
ReplyDeleteTotally fun interpretation of all the reason's to celebrate the 4th....xox
ReplyDelete3 beautiful pieces, the first one is probably my favourite - I love how distressed it looks. The DOMA sentiments makes it that little bit better too! :) Thanks for joining us for this week's Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge!
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful design and thanks for playing along with us at CCCB!
ReplyDeleteAwesome design!!!! LOVE your flags!Thanks so much for playing at CCCB
ReplyDeleteLove all the textures in the flag, and the cat and dog in the last piece are precious!
ReplyDeleteHappy Independence Day, to you, -your flags are wonderful, I love the first one shown!!!
ReplyDeleteDorthe-hugs.
Wonderful cards!! I hope you have a beautiful 4th July ... Thanks so much for playing at CCCB!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that design with the cat and dog. It looks like a beautiful quilt ...
ReplyDeleteLove ALL your work shown here today, but I'm getting the biggest kick out of your dog and cat, all dressed up for the holiday!.. Hope you're enjoying your weekend!! ~tina
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I love how you used the stars and swirls for the star section on the first one. I see the rainbow colored hearts thats a cute touch for Gay Pride! Happy 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteJessica I love your flag! What a great piece!
ReplyDeleteWow. SO glad I clicked on the link from the Gelli Party. The tiny thumbnail does not do this justice. Makes me wish I was spending the 4th in the USA rather than the UK :) I think I've come over all patriotic....
ReplyDeleteTFS. I love it.
Mary Anne
These are beautiful! I think freedom is something to be celebrated, whatever your freedom happens to come from.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Jessica your work caught my eye at MIM and wow all 3 are awesome! I really love the flag with the added dimension, lettering and especially what it represents :)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kathi
Wow Jessica, love your flags!! And the cat+dag painting... gorgeous! I'm really trying hard to figure out what your second flag is made of... but alas, I give up, lol. Is it a painting? Looks like a real quilt :) Anyway, fabulous all. Thanks for joining us at CCCB :) Hugs, Wendy
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy - Thanks for your kind words! I updated the post in case other people were wondering too, but for both the flag "quilt" and cat/dog piece, I painted the elements using watercolors and gouache, scanned them, and then repeated or assembled them digitally. I'm so glad you like them!
DeleteFantastic art and colors. Visiting from MIM..Loz
ReplyDeleteOh my! I enjoyed dropping by to see your latest creations. They are quite wonderful and I appreciate you sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteI saw you at MIM.
kren@
http://afourthlife.blogspot.com
Love your creations. Though I'm not american and I'm not into flags, of any kind, I do like your first one. It's just that little bit unconventional =)
ReplyDeletexx
What wonderful celebrations of Independence! Love your DOMA piece and that sweet house with the dog and cat... so whimsical and fun!!
ReplyDeleteJessica, this is incredible! The textures are colors are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteJessica your flag is so creative and i love bright colors you used! congrats for win on SSS&S!!!!!BArbarayaya
ReplyDeleteLove your flag. That will be one of those things to come out year after year.
ReplyDelete