More playing with stencils

I'm on a bit of a kick lately! Last night I pulled out the large stencil from the set that came for the February StencilGirl Stencil Club.

I prepped the background with gesso and acrylic paint, then I used the stencil to trace the flower onto scraps of patterned paper and make paper pieced flowers. Then I used the stencil as a placement guide and adhered the petals to the page with Golden Fluid Matte Medium. Once that dried, I put the stencil over top to use as a guideline to trace details with mint green Liquid Pearls. You can still see the patterns in the close-up below - it's subtle, but it adds some depth, I think.

Once that layer was dry, I laid the stencil down again and filled in the sections between the petals with Bolivian Blue Silks. I also cut out a few scraps to make leaves and painted on stems, then went to town with my Liquid Pearls and Scribbles puffy paints.

I added some washi tape on the edges, then went through with a different shape from the stencil (looks like a cross-section of a kiwi) and added a border with Viva Molding Cream in gold. When that was dry I added some more Silks and Liquid Pearls (there are never enough!!!)

Finally, I stamped a quote that fits with life right now using Staz-On. I've come to terms with the fact that at this point, I'm not an art journaler that fills the page with lots of writing... heavy emphasis on the "art," less on the "journaling." What works best for me is to find a quote that fits with what's going on at the time. Sometimes I'll put hidden journaling in the foundation layers, but this is what's comfortable for me and I still get that cathartic feeling from expressing myself. I know what it means, and that's all that matters to me :) And later on, even if I don't remember exactly what was going on, I still have a book of fun inspirational quotes! So maybe an inspiration journal more than anything? Whatever works, I guess!

Comments

[Mary C. Nasser]

This is GORGEOUS, Gwen!
Love the rich colors and layers and quote.
My art journaling has a heavy emphasis on the art, too! :)

[Gwen Lafleur]

Thanks Mary! It's fun to see others who are also not quite so wordy :) I love your work! I'm looking forward to getting my hands on some of your stencils.