Mixed Media Canvas for Creative Embellishments Nov. Challenge

I hope everyone had a chance to be creative this weekend!  I’ve been working on some challenges, which is usually something I struggle with, but I think I’m getting better at anticipating when things are happening and finding new opportunities.

This mixed media canvas I created for Creative Embellishments Nov. challenge.  They had posted a mood board and stipulated that we had to be inspired by at least one thing on the board- the colors, the mushroom, the pumpkins… we also had to incorporate one of their flourishes.

I chose the butterfly for my inspiration.  Also, I was inspired a bit by the orange color on the board, though my oranges are brighter and bolder and mixed with red.

• First, I adhered some torn tissue wrap to the surface of my canvas, focusing on the two corners.
• I used a honeycomb stencil to add texture paste over the tissue wrap.
• Now for color!!  I splashed india ink in three colors (orange, bright red and crimson) on the surface, focusing on the corners so those areas would be the most vibrant.
• Once it was all dry, I added some white ink in between the two corners to help the orange blend into the canvas a bit.
• Now for some chipboard elements.  I wanted to color them with the same colors I used on the canvas, so I needed to paint them white first.  I actually adhered the butterflies to the canvas first since it’s easier to paint them when they are stuck in place.
• To color the butterflies, I put a couple drops of black ink in the middle, and a few drops of colored ink to the outside and let the wet ink blend together on their own.  I love the way they look!
• I sanded a piece of rectangular chipboard, painted it with white gesso, and stamped the word Beauty onto it to add an element of text.
• I used some paper butterflies for my final element.  Before I adhered them I sprayed them with water and inked the points of each wing.  Making them wet first helps the ink to spread a little more and really blend nicely into the paper.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I’d love to hear your comments and ideas… Do you use the same techniques?  Different variations?  Let me know!  I love being inspired by you!