Test Driving the Hebrew Calligraphy Stencil and a Giveaway!

Welcome to the start of the Stencil Test Drive, and my 100th post!

Today I am joined by Carolyn Dube, Michelle Rydell, and  Judy Shea to test drive the Hebrew Calligraphy stencils that I designed for Stencil Girl!

 

The text on both stencils is the same beautiful blessing:  

May God bless you and keep you

May God cause the divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you
May God turn toward you, and grant you peace
(Numbers 6: 24-26)

A Little Background: The Hebrew alphabet is made up of  consonants only (22 of them), and emerged by the 10th century BCE.  It is closely related to Phoenician script, which gave rise to alphabetic writing in ancient Greece.  Both the Phoenician and Hebrew alphabets are believed to have evolved from script written in the Middle Bronze age!  For more information, here is a great article about the beauty of different typography and calligraphy from around the world. The Hamsa hand is symbolic of the protective hand of God.  When it faces upward, it is said to help keep away evil and misfortune.  When it faces downward, it symbolizes the giving of hope, peace and prosperity.

Enough background!  Don't feel nervous about using these stencils because they are in Hebrew!  This ancient lettering is simply beautiful, whatever your background.  Use it as one of many design elements, or in its entirety.  Here's what I did:

1.  I collaged a 12 x 12 canvas around an image of a beautiful face I've had in my stash for years.  (I printed it from the internet, but don't remember the source.) 

2 & 3.  I scraped modeling paste over the calligraphy stencil with a palette knife, and left it overnight to dry.

4.  I decided I wanted to paint over the face.  So I loosely went over her features with black fluid acrylic paint, and made her hair curly like mine!

5.  first stages of paint -- hmmm - not sure I like that green and she's definitely too pink!

6.  many more layers of paint and I'm finally liking her skin tone and also the background.  As a final layer, I used some paint chips (because they're more flexible than a credit card) to scrape gold and copper paint over some of the raised letters, just to highlight them (7).  (The picture of the Madonna and Jesus was also in my stash and also from the internet.) 

8.  On my lady's garment, I wrote some lyrics from Jane Siberry's beautiful song, Calling All Angles. 

Even though the Hebrew calligraphy is no longer distinct, I think it gives an ancient feel to this canvas, and grounded my lady in another time and place.  I also really like the contrast between the smoothness of her face, and all of the texture in the rest of the painting.

Next, I decided to use the Hebrew Calligraphy stencil as the main design element.   My modeling paste was still out, and I had a cardboard box I'd been saving.  So, I reinforced the insides with duct tape and decoupaged the front and sides with old book pages.  Then I centered the stencil, applied the modeling paste and let it dry overnight:

I rubbed the entire box, including the sides, with Golden Acrylics Yellow Ochre and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold paint.  Then I sprayed Tsukineko Antiquing Solution in Walnut and Java and wiped the spray off of the raised letters and hamsa symbol while the ink was still wet.  I used a small brush to loosely paint Iridescent Gold on the letters, and Deco Art copper paint on the hamsa. 

 

Lastly, I used a fine brush to drip Java Walnut Ink into several of the crevices to age the piece even more.   

 

I look forward to giving this piece as a wedding or new home gift!

I also wanted to do some cards just using the Hamsa element of the stencil and glitter glue!  

1.  I pounced gesso onto ATC size cards.  When it dried, I sprayed them with Adirondack color washes and dripped on Liquitex acrylic ink.  I sprayed the wet ink with water and let the inks drip around.  As they started to dry, I blotted them with a rag.  The gesso resisted the inks, leaving a "ghost" of the design.
2.  These little cards came with their own pockets (how cool is that!).  I stenciled the hamsa and the lettering on each side of the pocket with copper paint.
3.  On some of the inky cards, I laid the stencil back down and filled the openings with glitter glue for some sparkle (important - if you do this, wash the stencil immediately!).   
4.  On some of them, I outlined the negative spaces with glitter glue.

Here they are with the edges trimmed and some stamping!
I hope I've given you some ideas for how to use the Hebrew Calligraphy stencil!  Wait til you see what Carol, Michelle and Judy did!  Please visit their blogs at:

A Colorful Journey (Carolyn Dube)

Inspiration Everyday (Michelle Rydell)

The Key to my Art (Judy Shea)

Join me on December 20, when Carolyn Dube, Corrine Gilman, Maria McGuire and Ronda Palazzari help me test drive the  Medieval Leaves stencil!

GIVEAWAY!

Have you been test driving the Hebrew calligraphy stencils?  If so, please add your url to the linky list below by December 19 to be eligible to win the starry night stencil, so you can join us for that test drive on January 10th!  

If you've been using ANY stencils in your work, feel free to link up as well and join our blog hop! 

The linky list will be open until Wednesday, December 19th, so you have lots of time to get the stencil and hop on!  Check here for the upcoming stencil drive schedule if you want to plan ahead and get some of the stencils!

Also, Stencil Girl Products has a great promo - 6 stencils for $75, or individual stencils for $14.  Free domestic shipping for orders over $50!  Click here for more info.

And the winner of my 100th post ATC giveaway is...

Terrie Purkey December 4, 2012 12:04 PM who wrote:  Your comforts are perfect - the same as mine! :) I might add curl up with a good book.... Love your bright and colorful ATCs and I think that's going to be something I add to my 'must try' list for 2013. I've been a long time follower, so go ahead, give me that second chance to win! :) Happy Holidays and congrats on that 100th milestone.

The ATCs are on their way to you!

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.  Linking up to Art Journal Every Day, Paint Party Friday, Frilly and Funkie (light) and Try it on Tuesday (inky).