Vicki-Ann here and It's summer here in Australia. The flowers in my garden are so pretty, so I took my canvas outside to take my photo's and send you a bit of sunshine. I was told recently that I should put more of my art on canvas's and that it was a shame to keep my art all in journals and not pop some on canvas to give away or display. So thought today for Helmar I would follow that advice and do just that.
I started with Gesso on my canvas then I tore some paper and used my Helmar Decoupage and Craft Paste and glue spreader and glued the papers on. Now I paint all over these and you are probably thinking! Well why did you put it there only to paint all over it and now you cant even see it? Well I will tell you why I did this at the end..
Next step was to do my background and I grabbed my Decoart paints and just blended them down on a diagonal with a streaky blending. Grabbed my stencils and added some dashes and numbers. I had pre-painted some card stock and tore that up into circles and a wave pattern. Then it was time for some more Helmar Decoupage and Craft Paste. It sticks it down so well, I never have to worry about the edges coming up. Then I waited for it to dry thoroughly because the next part is the fun part for me. Yep the doodling with my pens..
So why did I put that paper down at the start only to paint over it. Well I like to write quotes and it gives me a great smooth surface to write on because canvas can be so tough on pens. Here is a close up.
I like the added texture that it adds to the background too. When you pop the paper down you just never know what is going to happen when you add more layers. I always think its an important step in any of my Mixed Media projects. I finished my canvas off with 2 coats of Crystal Kote Matte Spray Varnish to protect it from dust and fading. I just love that quote "Flowers are the music of the earth" now I can pop this on my wall to remind me of summer.
