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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Izannah and The Glue Factory



A few posts ago, I showed a photo of some paintings I wanted to complete. In one of the photos was a drawing I had finished. It was my interpretation and compilation of several photos of antique Izannah Walker dolls that Dixie Redmond kindly let me peek at from her collected images. You can see those HERE.

My fingers are a little sticky, but I'll try to not make any mistakes as I type. Just remember as you read on, that I played with glue and Mod Podge this weekend. And I have to give kudos to those of you who work in "Mixed Media"....I need a lot more practice with Aleene's Tacky Glue, especially the one with the brush attached!

Sticky fingers not with standing, and since my middle name is "trial and error", I thought I'd take you through my first "mixed media" -trial and error- project!


First step: The easy part, I painted her. Although I still have some little touches and details to paint on her dress, etc., but the painting part is almost done. Oh, and I painted her on something I haven't tried before, it is called a Cradled Painting Board.




Second Step: Here is where my "great idea" turned into glue all over my fingers, and on the kitchen table! I thought it would be pretty to put "wallpaper" behind her for dimension and texture. So, I traced her outline onto some pretty vintage rose paper, and cut it out with an Xacto knife. That part went fine, but I must have not had the rose paper lined up accurately under the carbon paper, so I traced and cut it out a little lopsided! :)

Link
So, on to Plan B....

Third Step/ Plan B: After my "wallpaper" didn't go on straight, I had to think of a way to camouflage my boo-boo. *How many times has that phrase been said by do-it-yourself homeowners?!*

Ding Ding: Idea! She needed to sit on a shelf! So I used decorative edge scissors and cut a scalloped edge for the shelf, then took out the glue/ Mod Podge mixture* once again, and glued the "shelf" onto the painting. This time with minimal glue on my fingers!

*hmmmmm?, this little scientific experiment I concocted could be the reason my fingers are still sticky!
Now, all she needs is the bottom of the shelf painted so she can sit without looking as if she is floating in air.When she is finished, I'll post a completed photo. But now I need to go peel, no WASH the glue off of my fingers, table, hair, clothes, the dog.......


12 comments:

Doreen Frost said...

Suzanne...I LOVE IT!!! She's wonderful...Can't wait to see the completed piece.

I have that same paper :)

Hugs,
Doreen

Maisy said...

Just darling. I adore her. You are a very talented woman!

Prairie Primitives said...

love it!! i'm wanting to try something with mixed media too. thanks for the step by step info -- i haven't really been sure where/how to start!

Julie said...

Hi suzanne, She is beautiful. I think the scalloped edge shelf looks like it belonged there all the time. It completes the picture. Can't wait to see more, Julie

Ruth Welter said...

Ow my gosh Suzanne, this is just fabulous...I love this one. Even floating in the air she is beautiful LOL. I simply love what you have done with the wallpaper background. I think that concept really fits the beautiful suject you are painting.

Ruth

Samantha said...

I know what you mean about the Tacky Glue- usually there is way more on ME than there is on the project. But the stuff holds and holds- I think maybe NASA should be using it.
She looks great, I'm sure she won't be your last mixed media project.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Amazing what a few sticky fingers can create! I love the way the wallpaper wraps around the edge of the canvas.

Robin's Egg Bleu said...

Isn't it amazing how mistakes can lead to better ideas that we might not have had in the first place if we didn't make the mistake? I love the shelf, I think it really makes the image. Your work is so sweet!

Patti said...

Just beautiful Suzanne! I think it looks great as is... I'm looking forward to seeing the finished project.

It's amazing how a little glue can go a long way... except for where you are trying to put it :)

Blessings, Patti

Sarah Sullivan said...

Just beautiful work Suzanne!! I love prims - she is amazing!! I love seeing how people work! Thanks for stopping by my blog and saying hi!! I'm up in Coeur d Alene.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the rest of your fans! She a darling and the best of the best..which is pretty much what you do!

Suzanne said...

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments. I "may" try this mixed media thing again. :)
Izzanah now has a seat to sit upon, just a few more details and I think she might be done.