Saturday 1 April 2017

Rusted butterflies and dragonfly.

It's the start of a new challenge today at Country View Challenges and the lovely Evelyn has chosen the theme of rust. I wanted to use the idea of rusty elements in a different way and having had such a fabulous response to my abstract art a few weeks ago I decided I would go in that direction to create the background.



I cut a piece of card 8 x 8 inches and brayered layers of cameo, primitive, lace and eternal chalky finish paints.


I then took a palette of titan buff, paynes grey, burnt umber, raw umber, prussian blue and yellow oxide media fluid acrylics and with a babywipe blended and very lightly dabbed on the colours in random areas.


Next came black gesso spread with a palette knife and spritzed with water to get some contrast into the background.


I wanted to be a bit more random with visual texture than just using a stencil so I took some kitchen cling film and daubed on white tinting base randomly adding some medium grey and burnt umber to it.


Some white crackle paint in random places but mostly round the edges and left to dry before colourising with some watery quinacridone gold paint. To give it just a little more interest I added the tiniest amount of text stamping.


The dragonfly was cut from some card I had been brayering off onto, run through the embossing folder .....


.....  and then coloured with layers of burnt umber, yellow oxide, paynes grey, tinting base and quinacridone gold - some of the paint was neat and some was watery washes. I dragged the coffee archival ink over before I glued him on.


I love how the veins show up more with the archival ink swiped over.



The small tag was randomly wiped with tinting base and dried and then dipped into walnut stain distress oxide and some left over quinacridone gold and raw umber watery paints. When dry it was stamped with the Tim Holtz butterflies which were also stamped again on cream card and the wings cut out and edged with black archival ink, bent on the thorax edge and adhered to the background images.


From the side you can see the wings fluttering giving additional dimension.


I had intended to add more collage pieces but when I got to this point I rather liked the simplicity, so it stayed as it was.


Here is the finished project. I made it to go inside a shadowbox. I'm very tempted to colour the frame but still not quite sure.




April????? Where did that come from???? Another year speeding past so quickly, but let's take time to watch the butterflies as they emerge.

Enjoy your weekend.

hugs Brenda xxx


36 comments:

rachel said...

Morning brenda and wow what a stunning piece. I adore the background ... it is so gorgeous and with those rusted elements too its a perfect piece of art. Wow. Hugs rachel x

Kaz Hall said...

This is just beautiful Brenda, I love all those hints of colour and that rust is just perfect!

Craftyfield said...

I love how you made the background Brenda, just the right amount of black for contrast and all the details (crackle, stamping etc...) combined for a great look. Lovely rusted butterflies too! Enjoy your weekend!

Nikki Acton said...

I love that this is your idea of simple! Great artistic background and wonderful rusty elements. Have a great weekend xxx

froebelsternchen said...

This is just wonderful made! I am in love with it! Happy weekend!

Gina said...

WOW! I can positively feel the scratchy flakes of rust on the dragonflies body. Fabulous XXX

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Wow, Queen of backgrounds, I love the hints of colour. The rust is perfect x

Sue said...

I don't know how you've done it Brenda but you've made rust look pretty! Your background is amazing - I just love everything about this piece! Have a fun weekend. Sue xx

Hazel Agnew said...

This is an artistic masterclass Brenda. The background is amazing and the perfect backdrop for such theatrical pieces. So much attention to detail! Xx 😊

Miriam said...

Stunning project Brenda- I love how you've created rust! Amazing!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Off she goes again making lovely rusty stuff!!! Gorgeous! Angela xXx

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Gorgeous backdrop Brenda, living all those layers and the rustic elements are fantastic. Gorgeous creation. Tracy x

Monika Gulyas said...

What a beautiful creation, Brenda! Your background is fabulous - it was great to see how you built it up! And oh gosh, your dragonfly is just awesome! I love it! xx

Jackie PN said...

WOW and WOW! This is Spectacular Brenda!
I so love the background- it is perfect to make you insects stand out for the focus!
Stunning piece!
hugs.Jackie

Candy C said...

Brenda!!! This is fabulous!! I truly love it! Your background is so cool and I love all of the layers! I just ordered some of the chalky finish paint and can't wait to play with it. Your dragonfly and butterflies are a perfect combination on this piece. What a great design! Love your color combinations and the framing.

Patty O'Malley said...

Wow, Brenda! This is fabulous! I love your background and the dimension given to the butterflies and dragonfly! Amazing!

Evelyn Walter said...

Oh, Brenda, this is simply GORGEOUS!!! I love everything on it, from the backgrond to the stunning dragonfly and the fluttering butterflies.
Have a nice weekend!
xxx Evelyn

Redanne said...

Oh my, how gorgeous is this!! The background alone is gorgeous and I just love that rusted dragonfly and the beautiful butterflies! I think it looks beautiful in the white frame too. Stunning work Brenda! Hugs, Anne xx

Lisa said...

Oh wow, this is amazing, Brenda!! The rusted dragonfly is stunning!! I love the butterflies, too and the dimension you added!! The background is spectacular!! I love seeing how your projects come together!! This is stunning!! Have a great weekend!! Big hugs :)

Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts

Littlelamb said...

This is brilliant Brenda. Thank you. Love the butterflies and dragonfly.

Meggymay said...

Its a beautiful project, fabulous background and rusty details.
Yvonne xx

Two Mad Dahlias said...

Just gorgeous.

2amscrapper said...

Thanks for the details on your lovely project, Brenda. I have some Finn rust products. I need to fit in this challenge this month. Helene

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Wow I really am so in awe of your wonderful rust effects Brenda, you always make me want to rush out and rust everything in sight!!
Hugs
Donna xx

Julia Aston said...

The queen of rusting has created another beautiful piece! Love that dragonfly and the pretty layered butterfly - and your background is gorgeous! Julia xx

Juliz Design Post said...

Wow Brenda, I'm speechless......stunning project and I adore every detail.
Julie x

Corrie Herriman said...

Wow ! This is absolutely gorgeous Brenda !
Corrie xxx

Jane said...

Such a gorgeous canvas Brenda..the rusted butterflies and dragonful look perfectly at home there. Beautiful and I totally agree that less was more! Hugs xxx

SewPaperPaint said...

Oh Brenda! I just love this! Amazing modern rust! Love the balance with the neutrals/whites. So inspiring! Hugs, Autumn

sarascloset said...

Oh, it's another favorite! You had me at the background, but then, pow! You added that beuatiful dragonfly and vintage tag! I'm in love with this! Keep the frame white--it brings all the attention to that fabulous artwork! Love, love,LOVE this! Hugs to you!

Unknown said...

STUNNINGLY SPLENDID to the MAX Brenda... I adore dragonflies and you made him soooooooooooo HANDSOME!! Xj.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh My Brenda! This really is THE most beautiful work of art! Gorgeous background and then those beautiful winged creatures!!! Hugs, Chrisx

Barbara said...

Really amazing! love love love these neutral colors! dragonfly is fantastic! great piece! barbara

Carol said...

AWESOME - love, love, love your layered scrummy project !! xxx

Words and Pictures said...

Breathtaking! I don't think I would colour the frame - I think the simplicity continuing onto the outer level is just perfect. Stunning dragonfly and the dimensional butterflies on their own tag are fabulous too. Love, love this!
Alison x

Paper Profusion said...

Stunning artwork Brenda!! LOVE it! Nicola x