Today was definitely a journey. Just like the title of this piece “The Journey Within”.
The layers on this are unbelievable. I layered paper and then decollaged and then added more paper, it was a true dance of creativity.
I didn’t use a lot of colors but the star of the show was the gold, it’s truly her crown!
I was inspired by emails that I received in response to last week’s video about rest and how some don’t have an issue with rest but have a hard time finding a purpose or direction.
If you missed last weeks video you can watch it HERE
I’ve been there too! And I share a little bit about my journey from feeling like I was drifting and had stopped creating, to coming to a place of knowing my purpose.
It’s a constant journey of different seasons in our lives.
I share more in the video, have fun watching!
Supplies used: 12×12 mdf board, Liquitex fluid matte medium, Utrecht gesso, Liquitex spray paint in gold, Lukas cryl acrylic (raw umber, yellow ochre), Nova color fluorescent magenta, Carbon black paint, squeegee to put the first layer down, Liquitex acrylic ink (deep violet, carbon black), brayer, Bamboo dip pen, Stabilo woody pencil, Stabilo marks all, Soft pastels (white, black, brown), Sargent liquid metal gold, Generals charcoal pencil, palette knife
Stencils used: Faces 2 Side View 8×10, Retro Pattern 5 8×10, Retro Pattern 2 8×10, and Retro Pattern 2 6×6
Collage paks used this week – THESE WILL BE ON SALE
Birds, Bees, and Butterflies (printed or instant download), Vintage Symbols and Elements (printed or instant download, and School Book (printed or instant download).
This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and Blick at no cost to you.
Love the layering and peeling back of the papers. can’t wait to try this technique. Do you peel papers off while they are still wet or dry them first? Not clear in video. No teal? Lol
Libby, I know no teal! Trying to challenge myself to grow and work with things I might be uncomfortable with. I peal off somewhere in the middle not quite dry all the way and not quite wet. That’s why you see me in the video with my dryer drying and waiting for the sweet spot to start peeling. Hope this helps. Have a great week!
Oh, my, Shawn! She is BEAUTIFUL! I absolutely love this piece and watching her come to life was like watching magic happen. This is the first time I’ve heard about “decollaging” and I’m not sure I understand it. I take it that means peeling back some of the papers? But I don’t really understand the why or what that does exactly. And thank you, Shawn, for the talk at the end. A few years ago I began to think about my life in seasons and it was life changing. It really helped me move from seeing where I was as static (which could send me into depression/despair/darkness) to being in a place temporarily. Seasons change. From there I began to see life in a totally different way. Today I’m in a season of frustration and anger and when I sit down to create all I feel is anger, frustration and my mind goes to “I can’t …”. The creative process is trying to show me a block within myself and I don’t quite understand it all yet. It’s a “journey within”. Until then I’m in a season. Thank you, Shawn.
Debbie,
Thank you. The decollage does a couple of things. It adds extra texture, it gives unexpected torn edge feel and it give this soft image of the actual image, plus you can reuse the pieces that you’ve torn. All in all it’s all about the yummy texture! So glad you’re here and so glad that you are now seeing the seasons of your life. I truly believe that it helps! Have a great week!
So lovely, lovely peace !! And the conversation so kind and so true really talked to my heart. Thank you so much Shawn for all these gifts you’re offering to us. Love
Thanks so much Evelyne! Have a wonderful week!
Hello,
My name is Caroline, I have resently prescribed and amazing the free papers!
I do have a question though. You talk about using deco art matte medium and I have looked on Amazon and cannot find it. Where do you purchase it, or is there something comparable to it?
You Sunday inspirations are so wonderful and I have been watching you for a few months now. I write down the quotes you use that really call to me. I use art as a major coping skill. I have bipolar that leans to the depressive side and unfortunately due to what has been happening in the world and due to things I had to do at work inorder to keep my insurance. I am in partial hospitalization to learn how to better take care of myself. And it is hard work! So thank you for the inspirations every Sunday I always look forward to it. My art journey is expanding and I am trying new things out and it is exciting but scary for me at the same time. I have an art journal that I use for all my work and depending my mood, it affects my creations. Life right now is just so hard. Learning how to basically change everything your behavior,
how you think, act, respond etc. Is extremely difficult. But I am getting married next year and I want my marriage to start off on the right foot. I could type so much right now but I am controlling myself lol.
So just the question of the medium and again thank you for the inspirations. They make my partial hospitalizations a little bit easier to go through because I can watch you and a few other youtubers, and get my hope back.
Thank you,
Caroline
Caronline, so glad you are here! Some of Deco Arts products have been out of stock or discontinued. You can use Liquitex matte medium. Which it was I use all the time! Here is a link to my most-used supplies. https://www.amazon.com/shop/shawnpetite
How brave and strong you are to take care of yourself. To work through things and learn new things. I pray that this time will be healing for you and that you will have a wonderful marriage.
Hugs!