Well I have been back in my art room for the first times since December. I lost my mojo, it plum left me for a few months. I didn't even really want to look at anything art related. Rock bottom is what it was like, but just for art and not anything else. I am not sure why this happened or if it will again, but I have an inkling about what started it. So now I am trying new things and even took an online course from Andy Skinner (more to come on that). We shall see what happens. The design I am sharing today has been remade about 8-9 times. This piece has been on multiple journey's, color schemes, details added and taken away. Only today was I able to see a clear picture of what it wanted to be. Thank goodness! Lol. I give you
Broken Art
The frame was found at a thrift store and I saw so much potential.
FIRST IDEA: The initial project was going to be a Valentine's Day gift. Ever see those frames on Pinterest that say "Spooning Since ..."? Well that idea didn't pan out because my metal stamping stamps wouldn't stamp into the spoons.
2ND IDEA: lots of chippies and a frame to hang jewelry. The metal mesh that is inside the frame wouldn't hold anything and actually broke rather easy. No pics.
3RD IDEA: soft pastel colors to create a Prima inspired design. That was nixed almost immediately when I went to gather supplies. I have no pastels. Lol!
4-7TH IDEA-didn't work
8TH IDEA: altered rusty paintbrush. Hmmmm, that is feelin about right! Here is how it went down.
Stamps, stencils, metal tidbits, paints, sprays, micas, texture paste, crackle paste, embossing powders, and on and on. I did add some white paint around the edge of the paintbrush to define the edges because it was getting lost in the pictures. What a journey!
The end result was so very different than what I had started with. I am okay with that. Add in the flinging of the splattered paints and drips and drops, it was fun, and fun is what I was after. That was the journey that I wanted to take.
Thanks for stopping by and Carpe Diem! Enjoy the journey. We all have Broken Art somewhere just waiting for that light bulb to go off in our brain. Hugz! ~Niki
I want to send this piece on more journey's so I took it to a few different places to get my photos. I will be sharing it with these challenges:
I came "aboard" by reaching my own destination for learning to "art" again and have fun doing it after a dry spell.
I believe I used 4 stamps, maybe 5 and that is just on the frame alone. Not counting the stamps hidden under the paint on the altered paintbrush.
I was inspired by the dark background with the highlights of the purples, blues and teals. I used a CE leafy vine frame chippie as the focal point of the altered paintbrush.
Love your altered brush, and the long story behind it. Hope your mojo stays with you now. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI really like this project. Your description of your journey with this piece is honest and heartfelt. Sorry about your dry spell, it happens to all of use. I had a dry spell, once it lasted about 20 years once, it started when I was a kid and started doing again as an adult...trying to be funny. Suggest listening to Elizabeth Gilbert, author Eat, Pray, Love Ted Talk on the Creative Muse, very inspiration. It on Ted.com or You Tube. When I have art frustrations, dry spell, I try to remember her words.
ReplyDeleteWow, Niki, I adore your Broken Art piece! It's absolutely stunning, my friend! I am keep zooming your photos to explore all the fabulous details! Oh, I love the mesh, the colors you used, that awesome light bulb, those amazing feathers, the quote, I love everything about this marvelous piece of art! So super cool and so super creative! The way you altered the brush is fantastic! I am so sorry to hear that you lost your mojo for such a long time! It happens to all of us from time to time and I am so glad to see that your mojo is back! Have a wonderful day, my lovely! Sending lots of love to you! Branka xx
ReplyDeleteBravo, Punkin'!!! I saw this on FB this morning, and was sooooo excited to see you've been back in the craft room and picking up crafty goodies instead of those ol' power tools! What an amazing comeback, too! LOVE this framed altered artwork! the rusted mesh is so cool and inspiring! And the colors on the frame and focal cluster are fabulous for spring! Great design! (Ha, ha! I just picked up the feather you sent to use in a project! How's that for a coinkydinky?) You're awesome! Thank you for sharing this with us at Emerald Creek Dares (and for including EC products!)! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWow - this went from SWEETLY SPOONING to ELEGANTLY ECLECTIC Niki!! I like both! The first would have been such a neat Valentine's gift!! But the second - for me - is just STUNNINGLY SPLENDID. Love the color, the mesh, all the different elements to see around the paintbrush - just so neat. And the feather was the icing on the cake!! Thanks so much for sharing and always remember... only YOU can create YOUR art and there are those of us that ADORE seeing it when you do. YOU are always an INSPIRATION sweet girl. Xj.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous piece Niki. I am glad your creative mojo is back.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
Wow Doc, when your mojo comes back, it comes flying back with uber speed and power!! This is just incredible, it has all of my favourite Doc-like things! Incredible texture, beautiful colour tones, creative and unique elements, and a brilliant execution of an original idea!! I really want to touch this one, those feathers look so soft! What a great contrast against the metallic mesh! So glad to see you back in your craft room, sending hugs to you my friend :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome creation! Thank you for playing along with Mixed Media World!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I am so glad that you persevered because the end result is fabulous!! I love the texture of the mesh, the metal piece over the paintbrush is fantastic and I love how you softened it with the feather - a truly stunning piece of art! No consolation but I always feel that way at the beginning of a new year - so glad you got your mojo back though! Big hugs, Anne xx
ReplyDeleteNiki, I loved this process. The spooning since... was something I had never seen and I love it. Sorry the stamping into the metal didn't work, but I love where it took you. And what an awesome variety of splatters!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, your mojo came roaring back like a freight train, Niki!! This is spectacular!! Wow!! I enjoyed reading the journey the frame took to it's final destination!! The paintbrush is amazing!! The textures are fabulous!! The details you added are perfect!! Truly a work of art, my friend!! I love, love it!! I hope you are having a wonderful March!! Happy Wednesday!! Big hugs :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Yippee! I get to say thank you, too, for joining our All Aboard challenge at A Vintage Journey with my official Creative Guide hat on! Woo Hoo! This IS fabulous! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteVery happy to hear you are back in the craft room and creating again. Even if it took several goes to get this where you wanted it, I'd say that's the Mojo in full flight (it knows what it doesn't want, therefore it's alive and kicking!). The finished piece is fantastic, full of incredible detail and effects.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've been enjoying Andy Skinner online - I think he's a fantastic teacher, and the techniques he shares can be used in so many ways. Looking forward to seeing where that takes you next on the journey.
Hugs,
Alison x
Oops - and thanks so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey too.
Niki, I'm sure glad you persisted with this amazing framed art. The finished result is super spectacular! I love your gorgeous layering skills and lovely eye for texture and depth. Stunning work and great to see you creating again. Hugs, Autumn
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I like your work because its different and unique! It's all new to me :)
ReplyDeleteAn amazing project. Your wonderful details, textures and colours all look fantastic. Your journey took a few detours but came to a good end.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in with our March challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media and good luck x
Superbe project, love how you incorporated the vines frame into your project and how you did that patina effect. Thanks for playing along with us at Creative Embellishments
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and Creative! So happy your mojo returned and glad you joined us at CREATIVE EMBELLISHMENTS!
ReplyDeleteAmazing, and I'm sure it looks even better IRL, so glad you have found your mojo. Creative Artiste Mixed Media, Anything Goes, #24 March Challenge.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous art work! Thanks for sharing it with us at Creative Embellishments!
ReplyDeleteWow! Love how it turned out in the end Niki! Thanks for taking on this month's Emerald Creek Dare. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved this piece of art! Thanks for joining us at Creative mixed media artiste Blog
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Dt – Roshini
https://roshinicrafts.blogspot.in/
http://creativeartistemixedmedia.blogspot.in/ - march challenge
so much fun, what a beautiful piece of art! Thanks for playing with us at Creative Embellishments!
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I think you found your mojo! Thanks for joining our challenge at Creative Embellishments.
ReplyDeleteAndy Skinner is amazing artist. you will truly enjoy any of his classes. You piece is superb! Thank for joining us at Creative Embellishments.
ReplyDeleteLovely project, thanks for joining us on the Emerald Creek Supplies Dare Challenge Blog.
ReplyDelete