Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Believe in Your Magic - Tutorial!



I am directing The Secret Garden this fall for my local community theater, Gas Lamp Players.  If you don't know the story, here's a clip from the 45th Annual Tony Awards.  The music is so glorious!


In preparation, I am re-reading the novel by Francis Hodgeson Burnett.  One of the big themes in the book is the inherent magic we all possess -- the magic of believing, of positive thinking, of creating -- as well as the magical powers of nature.


Here's how I created a canvas to explore this theme:

1.  I started with a 6 x 6 canvas, which I covered with "unintentional collage."  This means collage simply to create depth, interest and texture -- most of it will not be seen in the end.


2.  While it was drying, I gathered a bunch of gelli prints (you could easily use patterned paper, or paint or stencil your own paper), and cut out circles of different sizes using my crazy scissors.  (Corrine Gilman's post inspired me!) Then I layered them in ways that were pleasing to me.


3.  I used my awl to poke holes through the layers, where I was going to sew the circles together.  If you don't have an awl, a thin nail would do.

  

4.   Using waxed linen thread (but any strong thread would do), I sewed the circles together, using a few found buttons.  (You could also glue these together and forgo the sewing...)

 

5.  I set the circles aside and picked up my canvas again.  I put a light wash of blue on the top, and a light wash of green on the bottom, to create the feeling of a garden and horizon.


6.  While this was drying, I took a piece of green painted cardstock and made some different stitching with my sewing machine, and cut out some stems.  (You could just draw these stitches on as well.) 


7.  Previously, I had woven together some gelli prints and book pages.  (You do this by cutting slits in the book pages -- keeping the tops and bottoms intact, and then weaving strips of gelli prints through them.)  I used this to cut out leaves.


8.  I inked the sides of my stems with Ranger Walnut Stain:


9.  And then assembled my flowers, leaves and stems onto my canvas.  I used black fluid acrylics and a skinny brush to outline the flowers and the bottom of the canvas, and Pearl Pens in white, gold and silver to embellish the flowers.


10.  I wrote the phrase "Believe in your Magic" on some scraps, cut the words out and adhered them.  I used a graphite pencil to add definition to the edges of the canvas.  Done!


We do acts of magic every day!  BELIEVE!

Linking to A Colorful Gelli Party, Paint Party Friday, and Art Journal Every Day.

Happy Independence Day to anyone celebrating on July 4th!  Here's a glimpse of the flag I'll be waving.  You can see it in full in this post.


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.

36 comments:

  1. i love the Secret Garden! one of my favorites as a young girl! your collage is gorgeous!
    hugs,
    peggy aplSEEDS

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  2. Great tutorial and lovely canvas :)

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  3. A beautiful way to share your creativity, Jessica, thank you :)

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  4. I love Francis H. Burnett! She wrote my all time favorite novel, A Little Princess. Great inspiration for a great piece of art! Love you wove the Gelli prints with book text- fab contrast! So glad you shared this with the party!

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  5. I didn't read the books, but I did see the movies when my kids were younger.. "A Little Princess" and the "Secret Garden". I love this magic canvas..says so much. Thank you.

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  6. You have created your own "secret garden" here, Jessica! I just watched the video, too, and was taken back just a few years! Thanks for the walk!

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  7. Wow that impressive directing the play! I love the new completed piece...but I also love the raw collage first layer, before you put it all together... glad you have a photo of it, you could replicate it for more artwork.... I love the composition, the colors it blends so nicely!!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Hugs Giggles

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  8. I love these you are so creative. The Secret Garden is an amazing story! I hope you have lots of fun putting it all together. I love how you sewed the flowers together, they are cute. I believe in magic! :)
    <3, Chandra

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  9. Sweet garden, I want to hang out with you in your magic garden. xox

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    Replies
    1. You post (http://www.sparkledaysstudio.com/2013/06/14/friday-affirmations-when-it-rains/) inspired me! In fact I just updated this post to make sure to link to you. xoxo

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  10. One of my favorite shows. I also love that music.

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  11. I love the way it came out and your tutorial is awesome. I LOVE the Secret Garden, it's one of my favrotie stories.

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  12. I sure enjoy your posts. I love this tutorial and appreciate how you tell how you did it and add suggestions for alternate ways (use a thin nail instead of an awl). Makes it very accessible. Thanks, cute project!

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  13. Great canvas! I love the bright colours and the happiness it shows.

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  14. Fantastic artwork and tutorial!
    Love that it begins with an "unintentional collage!"
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  15. Love your work. the colors are so bright, bold and beautiful!

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  16. Wonderful secrete garden. I like how you put all the components together.
    Have a very nice weekend
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  17. Wonderful canvas! Love the process here as you are immersing yourself in the magic.

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  18. I loved the Secret garden as a child... it was my go to book when I was home in bed sick... it always transported me somewhere magical... love the artwork that was inspired by it... captures it perfectly

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  19. Great flowers for a fabulous piece of inspiration.

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  20. oh wow, amazing collage! Love seeing the different steps, thanks for sharing ♥

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  21. Beautiful work, it is indeed magic!

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  22. gorgeous canvas Jessica-love the stitching -really adds nice detail!

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  23. Great tutorial and I love the finished art! Love all of your colorful art. Good luck with your play. That one of my favorites.

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  24. Thanks for s haring your tutorial. I love the end results. Are the flowers only attached in the center; are the outside edges loose? If you will do a tutorial on how you did the weaving. I am not sure about "leave the tops and bottoms attached". Again, thanks for sharing and I will be back to see what you create next.

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  25. Love all the layers of color and texture, great piece! HPPF!

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  26. Wow! Love your collage and the video I had never heard of iot. Very inspiring.

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  27. I love that happy and magical garden. Lovely work of art.

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  28. The buttons add a nice dimensional look

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  29. You have created a truly magical place! Such a happy place too:)

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  30. How wonderful to direct a play! The Secret Garden was screened as a TV series in the UK during the 1970's when I was a girl. It was my all time favorite! Lovely mixed media artwork Jessica, I love the stitching:)

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  31. Beautiful flowers! Can't wait to try the technique.
    .

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  32. Beautiful flowers, I love the randomness and the depth.
    xx

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  33. Wonderful tutorial and delightful piece! Dare I say magical. ;-) And how fun you're directing The Secret Garden.

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