Sunday, July 7, 2013

Miracles and Magic - A Tutorial

Magic is the subject of Artists in Blogland's "Color This Quote" challenge this month, so I've been thinking about what magic is, and where it is...

There's something magical about creating art.  When I have a lot of left over gelli prints, I like to cut them into strips and collage them onto whatever substrates I have available...


One will "speak" to me (that in itself is magic!), and I will take my super skinny brush, and some black fluid acrylic paint...


and sketch the outline of buildings, a skyline, or a citiscape.  I am leaving for Israel on Wednesday - one of the most magical destinations on earth - and plan to visit Jordan as well, so "exotic" architecture is on my mind. 

http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=11821936&exhibit=358767&gallery=y
I recently pinned this charming illustration, and it inspired me to create this:


I mix up glazing medium and acrylic paint...


and using a brush and my fingers, I rub this glazing mixture into my buildings until I'm happy.  When the glazing mixture subtly transforms the colors of the gelli prints underneath (but you can still see the texture and patterns from the prints), it feels like magic!

Some embellishing with pearl pens, glitter, and a sentiment, and voila:  my collage has magically become an enchanted place!


I hope this little tutorial inspires you to envision your own magical destination.  For more free tutorials and videos, click here or on the specific projects below.

   


Linking to the challenges at Faber Castell (favorite destination),  Dreamheart (color or colorful), and Art Journal Journeys (architecture).  Linking also to the fabulous blog hops at Make It Monday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Creative Every Day, Inspire Me Monday, Glue It Tuesday, Be Inspired, and Create Daily.  If you want to be inspired, visit these links - you won't be disappointed!

Speaking of magic, check out this post by Carolyn Dube.  She shows the alchemy that results from "mistakes," which she calls "OOPS," or Outstanding Opportunities Presenting Suddenly! 

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.
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35 comments:

  1. SherrynJuly 7, 2013 at 11:30 PM

    I love this work of art, saw it on MIM xx

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  2. Maria MedeirosJuly 7, 2013 at 11:50 PM

    Absolutely beautiful! so bold, lovely textures, wonderful process. Wonderful!

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  3. lozJuly 8, 2013 at 1:10 AM

    Gorgeous artwork and colors Jessica. Visited from MIM..Loz

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  4. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 2:44 AM

    Lovely, lots of interesting links too - Thank you.
    Here via Andrea's colour challenge.

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  5. Valerie-JaelJuly 8, 2013 at 2:49 AM

    Beautiful work, love the colours. Have fun in Israel, and Jordan. Will you be visiting Petra? Valerie

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  6. froebelsternchenJuly 8, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    Jessica! This looks amazing! I love the vibrant colors and the loose sketches -- gorgeous!
    Thank you for taking part in our July fun over on Art Journal Journey!

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  7. suzi polandJuly 8, 2013 at 4:41 AM

    Nice to visit via Andrea's colour hop to see your colourful imaginative buildings. Here's a link to my blog http://suzipoland.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/colour.html

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  8. ann @ studiohydeJuly 8, 2013 at 5:59 AM

    It really is a magical piece you have created here ツ
    Enjoy your trip away ツ

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  9. AnonymousJuly 8, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    YOu make it seem so simple friend. Love your colorful world of magic....xox

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  10. MoniqueJuly 8, 2013 at 7:12 AM

    Love your colorful little magical cityscape.
    xx

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  11. AnonymousJuly 8, 2013 at 7:16 AM

    Simply gorgeous. I love the bright colors with the drawings on top!

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  12. JeannetteJuly 8, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    WOW,This is amazing ,beautiful colors... and your page is so happy.
    love it to much.

    Greetings Jeannette

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  13. Linda KunsmanJuly 8, 2013 at 10:11 AM

    your projects are always full of wonderful color and inspiration Jessica. I too love going to my gelli prints for some quick prompting. Have a beautiful time during your magical trip abroad!

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  14. Sarah LeonardJuly 8, 2013 at 11:46 AM

    Your art work is beautiful! And I love the sentiment behind this piece. We can all use a bit of magic in our lives.

    Thanks for linking up!

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  15. Beyond to Better ThingsJuly 8, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Beautiful. Love the colors!

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  16. Kay WallaceJuly 8, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    This is just so full of yummy goodness and color...and *that's* magic!!

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  17. UnknownJuly 8, 2013 at 3:31 PM

    What a blessed place you are going to. Love the colors and ideas in this picture.

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  18. Anita Houston The Artful MavenJuly 8, 2013 at 4:07 PM

    So gorgeous! Love love love the towers and the color! The spots in the windows are glowing almost...love this!

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  19. AnonymousJuly 8, 2013 at 7:16 PM

    Gorgeous painting! I love all the colors! I'm pinning this!!!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

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  20. TrishJuly 8, 2013 at 8:16 PM

    Fantastic art! Love it.

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  21. TracyJuly 9, 2013 at 1:00 AM

    Love, love, love the bright colours and beautiful shapes in this piece.

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  22. UnknownJuly 9, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    Simply stunning! Thank you for joining us over at MIM. Hugs Kerry xx

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  23. Carolyn DubeJuly 9, 2013 at 10:30 AM

    This is magical! Love your buildings-and all the embellishing touches! Thanks for the Oops shout out!

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  24. Tammy NJuly 9, 2013 at 12:03 PM

    Thanks for sharing your art. I find it very inspiring. I love the bright colors and your design sytle.

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  25. AnonymousJuly 9, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    A wonderful piece of art and thanks for the tutorial! Really enjoyed it
    Cheers
    Gabriele 13

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  26. PiaRomJuly 9, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Wonderful bold colors and I love the oriental touch and so wonderful to see your steps to get to the finshed piece ♥ Conny
    http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de

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  27. lorikJuly 10, 2013 at 5:27 AM

    Definitely magical and love the vibrant colours and strong line work.! Like something out of the Arabian Nights. Thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  28. Ronda PalazzariJuly 10, 2013 at 12:57 PM

    This is magical. I love the colors and textures. Safe journeys. Thank you for the link!

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  29. storybeaderJuly 10, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    a magical and beautiful outcome! Have a fun and safe trip to Israel {:-Deb

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  30. Textile RecyclerJuly 13, 2013 at 6:14 AM

    I just love your sense of color and style! Your work always makes me smile and then wish I had done that piece...

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  31. KarinJuly 13, 2013 at 7:09 AM

    gorgeous! love the colors and the materials you used!
    have a great weekend!
    Groetjes karin

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  32. Marjie KemperJuly 13, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    I always love it when you do skylines! Gorgeous as usual. Hope you're having a wonderful trip.

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  33. AnonymousJuly 14, 2013 at 8:36 AM

    Jessica--I discovered you by following a link on Creative Every Day. I'm not a visual artist, and am always fascinated to see how artists create their images. Your bold colors and shapes feel like magic to me--But magic with directions! Though I have no idea what "gelli prints" are, you make it seem like anybody can make something beautiful to look at--you've already got me thinking about what quote I would illustrate.

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  34. BeansieleighJuly 22, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    Oh Jessica, this DOES look like fun!!! So bright and beautiful! Russian architecture, right?! I will definitely give this a try, soon as I can.. Thanks for sharing a tutorial, and have a great day! ~tina

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  35. MarthaAugust 4, 2013 at 4:34 PM

    it's simply beautiful! the colours are gorgeous.
    love those houses - my favourite theme

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