Monday, February 6, 2017

Guest Designer: Debi Adams

Hello to all of you joining StencilGirl today.
I’m Debi Adams from, gosh, I guess, just Phoenix but formerly Southern California and I LOVE art.
I’ve been in the “creating” business for over...let’s just say a very long time.
I got turned onto StencilGirl stencils, well I should say “re-turned” onto stencils in general,
by artiste extraordinaire, Seth Apter.

And now that I am in that happy stencil zone, I cannot stop playing with them.
I selected the three stencils, Woodcut Roses, Ferns 6 and Dots and Dashes because I suppose they weren’t abstract and that is my normal go-to, but you know, I have fallen in love, like head-over-heels in love, with abstract and mixed media so I went in that direction until I was happy with the results.
Of course I have come up with like a zillion other ways to use these three but for now, I will show you what I created and how you can make them too! Super easy. Way fun!
Check back in March for round 2! 
So let’s start with how the background was created because that is the basis for all of these pieces.
I collected up my water-based inks, a craft mat, black pigma and white gel-type pens, black cardstock, 140 lb. mixed-media paper, repositionable tape, adhesive and a mister.

The stencils are listed above but here is a picture for reference purposes.
 
Using my craft sheet, I turned my inks upside down and smashed them onto the sheet.
From there I misted them with water. My general rule is to add enough water for the ink to bead up.
Obviously, the more water added, the greater the dissolution of color.
Now place your mixed media paper face down into the ink and then lift straight up.
If the color is too intense for your liking, simply mist the colored paper with water and the color will disperse.
If more color is desired, recreate your original palette and repeat the above step.
Sometimes I just add a color here or there on my mat, mist it a tad and then put parts of the paper back into it.
This is your project. You get to decide how much and when. When finished, let the paper dry.

While the paper is drying, you can decide how you want to cut up your black paper. I did the three strips project first. There are no measurements as to how many strips you want and how much color should show.
You are the artist here and get to choose. (Often times, I find myself a little timid to go bold so note that my first project was done with only three strips. Comfort zone I tell you.)
Adhere them onto the dried art piece wherever desired. Adjust for two strips if choosing to go in that direction. The other two pieces are different altogether and I will explain those in a bit. 

Now here is where it all comes together. Select the Rose stencil, since it is the most impactful and eye catching, and tape it in place using repositionable tape. Begin using your black pen by tracing the stencil on the colored paper. The white pen is used in the same fashion but on the black paper. Super easy, right? When you are finished with the Rose, trace the Leaves. Lastly, for small, irregular markings, I used the Dots and Dashes stencil. That’s it. How did you do? I think you all may need to get Seth’s “You Got This” stencil now!
For the larger black art piece, the only difference was in approach. I cut the colored paper this time and mounted it on the black paper and then proceeded with tracing again using the two different pens.
The last piece, I traced the Rose and Leaf stencils directly onto the colored paper, leaving enough room to add Seth’s sentiment stencil. I used a blending tool and added black ink on top of the Make It Count stencil.
The final details were the Dots and Dashes using the black pen.
Did you end up having a favorite? Would love to see what you have done. Aren’t stencils the best? 
It makes you look so good and you are! Thanks for stopping by.
Remember to be looking for Part 2 in March. It is completely, and I mean totally, different! 
XO,
Debi
Facebook: Debi Adams04
                  Debi Adams
Website/Blog: www.debi-adams.com
Instagram: debi_adams
Twitter: DebiAdams6

20 comments:

  1. Debi, Aristotle was clearly looking ahead and thinking of YOU when he made the statement "The sum is greater than its parts!" I can't think of anything I've ever done that has demonstrated this better than what you've accomplished here, in this stunning artwork, combining these 3 StencilGirl stencils! Thank you for having chosen my stencil Ferns 6 as one of your tools in art-making! May I have your permission to use some of these photos in my blog? Giving you full credit, of course. If you would first want to check out my blog, here it is: http://heartworkbycecilia.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh my Cecilia! I am so touched. Yes feel free to use these photos as you see fit. If you need any hi res of any of them, please let me know and I will forward them to you. And btw, I love your stencil. Big fern fan this year. You will have to look at my blog for the Boho wedding :).

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  2. Wow, Debi I love how you used my stencil "Wooden Roses" in these pieces! You are so creative! I love the black and then white outlines! It's just beautiful! Thank you for choosing one of my stencils for your beautiful creation! Visit my blog at http://myclothesline.blogspot.com or my website www.desireehabicht.com

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    1. Ah, you are more than welcome Desiree. I love flowers and these were exceptional. I will definitely visit your blog.

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  3. What a stunning and "out of the box" tutorial! Thank you for using one of my stencils for this beautiful, creative project!

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    1. You all did the work with your fab stencils. I just got to be the one to play with them. Thank you!

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  4. Beautiful! I put those stencils in my cart. Can't wait to try this :)

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    1. Oh I hope you have as much fun as I did. It definitely takes me to my happy place. Thank you for your kind comment.

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  5. I love the black and white contrast! Will definitely be doing this!

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    1. So good to know. Thank you Kathy. I worried for a bit that this piece might be too simple but I guess it made an impact. Thank you for your kind comment.

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    1. Thank you Jean. So sweet of you to leave a note.

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  7. Wow Debi!! You have shown me what else I can use my black cardstock for! I can't wait to get out my white marker and black cardstock and my Stencilgirl stencils!

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    1. Aren't stencils like the coolest ever? You can take them everywhere. Happy to help you on your creative journey.

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  8. I so love the combination of the black background and the colorful pieces. And your white/black gel pen tip is brilliant.

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    1. Thank you my mentor and friend. Moving outside of the box more and more every day.

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  9. I just love these, great way too to use up dodgy gelli prints, just cut out the nice bits!!! Love it.

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    1. Thank you. i have learned from a few artists to never throw away the left over pieces. It's easy to incirporate them in another project.

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  10. Wow!!! A (seemingly!) Simple technique with beautiful dramatic results! Definitely going to give this a try. TFS!

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    1. Thank you Amy. Certainly had fun experimenting!

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