Tuesday 24 May 2011

Playing with Gesso

Over at the Craft Barn the Challenge is Gesso. There are some great inspirations from their designers on various ways to use Gesso in your projects. Now I have used Gesso as a primer before but that is about as far as I have gone so I was particularly intrigued by the dimensions and textures Andy got on some of his projects especially when adding elements under the Gesso. So i decided to give it a go. I can tell you that i am not too thrilled with the project and the technique. I guess it takes a lot of patience and layers. I may have put the Gesso on too heavy as it took a very long time to dry.
So for my project I used 2 mini canvas pieces and added the Gesso all over them. Next I added a layer of lace and went over it with Gesso mixed with Alcohol ink. the bits in the front are all from Tim Holtz(except the flower which is Imaginisce)I trimmed them and coated with Gesso then shadowed with my Promarker and glued in place.
I placed Tissue tape from Tim Holtz around the outside of the canvas and connected them to make them close together(Like a book). On the inside I used Gesso over the clock face and hands(Tim Holtz). On the other side I used another flower from Imaginisce and 2 Prima leaves and also painted Gesso over them. When dry I added some acccents with my promarkers and coloured the inside with my blue promarkers on the canvas. The wood on the inside is coloured with Walnut stain.
I have made this for the Gesso Wishing Well challenge at the Craft Barn. If I have some extra time this week I might try some more with the Gesso.

So now on another subject, They're Back!!!

This is one of the birds we have living in the eve by the front door. They have made the nest twice the size as last year so I wonder how many babies we will have this time. Last year we had 5 and 4. Yes they had 2 batches one right after the other. They are lovely to look at and very adorable until you see the mess they make. Especially since anyone coming to the door needs to watch out for an unexpected surprise or a birdie attack. But they are cute right.....

Well that is all I have for now. Not too much on the crafty front as I have been over taken by my allergies lately and my medicine is making me a bit tired. It is hard time even concentrating. I am hoping that they will be better tomorrow as the wind is supposed to die down a bit which should help. Fingers crossed........

So with that I will bid you a good evening and thank you for stopping in.
Angela

5 comments:

Zoechaos said...

I love your canvasses you had a good play with gesso there. All this dry weather has not help hay fever suffers one little bit and it sounds like you have other allergies as well so can only hope today is better than yesterday was. XOXO Zoe

Brenda Brown said...

I love this creation Angela, it is different and exciting. Like you I have had limited experience with gesso but I went out and bought a huge pot of it at The Range today as I intend to play more too. Looking forward to seeing what else you make with it.
Sorry I haven't been around commenting for a while but I have been one of those affected by the current Blogger problems. I have moved from IE to Firefox which seems to have cured the problem for now.
Hope you have a good week.
luv and hugs {brenda} xoxox

sam21ski said...

This is a fabulous canvas Angela, I love that front cover, and although you say you're not happy with the outcome or the technique I think you've done a stunning job and it looks fantastic xxx

Sam xxx

http://sam21ski.blogspot.com/

alteredbee said...

I love your ways with gesso and these tiny canvases are fabulous. I have listed your blog on my award posting this week. Please visit me to see... calicostudio.blogspot.com
Thanks, Patty

Anonymous said...

Beautiful project!!
Thanks for playing with us at the Craft Barn
Isa