Mixed Media Canvas with Stencils

Hi Friends. Janet here from Happy Reminders.

I am going to take you step by step on how I made this canvas.

 First off I gathered a pile of papers and cutouts,

tissue and lace, doilies and photos....

And collaged them onto a simple canvas with a gel medium.

At this point I decided to use it sideways....

Everything was gessoed, lightly in some parts and heavy in others.

I wanted the textures to come through....

I know what's underneath....

if the faces and the details don't show through perfectly, 

then that's okay with me.

I used two stencils in these steps...

Above is a new June Pfaff Daley stencil, Celtic Celebration.

I applied the different motifs in a black Ranger Archival Ink.

And here is Carolyn Dube's Use Your Words Stencil.

At this point I wanted to start some color.

 I love using words, letters or numbers in a layer. 

Notice the washi tape added here and there...

Black Ranger Ink was sponged around the edges...

lightly, to frame it, to give it a depth...

Next step, Golden brand Gesso, my favorite, mixed with paint.

Drippage was attempted with Stampin 'Up Refill Inks

Then I rubbed some off. 

I still wanted to see some of the layers underneath.

Then I added stamps....

Some of my own hand carved eraser stamps

as well as my favorite Stampin 'Up Dictionary Stamp.

It was time for my Kahlil Gibran quote....

I would like to introduce you to one of my Go-To alphabet stamps!

See what you can find in your kid's toys?

Then more details with the Celtic Celebration Stencil. 

I almost forgot to put Kahlil Gibran underneath the words!

Notice the swirls from the stencil were added to both the top and bottom edges?

I love the texture of the doily with the stencil swirls.

You will notice at this point the work is all in blues and greens....

When I added the heart stamp I decided to accent with just a bit of 

orange, yellow and red.

I knew this would be hanging in my spare bedroom 

on a light yellow wall.

I was trying for a glowing heart!

I do like how it turned out. 

I love the layers and the textures.

Happy Arting!