
The Challenge of Transfers

Here is my piece for the September Mind Wide Open Challenge. If you have not been over to check out this site, it is just awesome! The voting will begin on the 7th and I can promise you mind boggling artwork. I love participating in this challenge, because it is that, a challenge!
I used the lovely image that Gail provided and collaged some additional elements to pull it into my current Poe theme. I used an 8×10 canvas that has been turned over using inspiration from my friend Glenda of Twocooltexans. I have covered the whole thing with molding paste and pressed stamps into it to give it texture and a design. It looks like tooled leather. Layers of paint and inks were applied and then I added some extra elements, mica, wire, key, hinges and nails. The back is completely done, making it perfect for displaying on an easel. Our word prompt is ‘Boo’, and though I did not use the actual word on my piece, I can think of nothing as spooky as some of Poe’s writings. So my ‘Boo’ is implied here, just listen to the beat of your Tell-Tale heart. These words are from Poe’s work, Eleonora and read, “She whom I loved in youth and of whom I now pen calmly and distinctly these remembrances. The loveliness of Eleonora was that of the Seraphim. Hand in hand about this valley, for fifteen years, roamed I with Eleonra before love entered within our hearts. Eleonora was the name of my cousin.” I have titled it simply, ‘Eleonora’.
I just finished up a few Edgar Allen Poe inspired ATC’s to list in my etsy shop. These were so much fun to make! I use this wonderful Italian Watercolor paper with a soft, torn edge for my Artist Trading Cards. It is a great base to start
a mini collage on, and takes paint really well. I always use a coating of gesso, front and back, to ensure my card lays flat. Then layers of paint, water soluble crayon, papers, gel medium, graphite, and charcoal, mixed with some stamped images, complete these miniature sized collages. Rigid plastic holders, make sure the work can be held and viewed without fear of damage. If you haven’t yet discovered ATC/ACEO’s take a minute to look them up on Etsy. They are so much fun to collect and trade! The Metsy Team, (Mixed Media on Etsy) is having a Fall ATC challenge. These are two of my entries. They had to have something to do with Halloween or Fall.