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Month: September 2017

Hearts and Wings

Hearts and Wings

My art studio is undergoing a renovation. Everything has been moved out as we replace the flooring – we’re ridding ourselves of the carpet. Every day, I spend a significant amount of time in the studio and I want both my cat, Mia, and my dog, Thomas, with me as I create. However, Thomas is a six-month-old puppy… and carpet just doesn’t work when the back door is across the house, down the stairs, and across the house again. Puppies mean one must be prepared just in case the trip outside is a bit too long. And the added bonus, I won’t have all that carpet to contend with in case I have a spill.

Not having my art studio available though, means I’ve been creating in rather crowded areas (all the art furniture is stuffed into nearby bedrooms) so I’ve kept my projects small. I listed two new pieces this past weekend and here’s the first that I’m calling Hearts and Wings. It’s an addition to my Heart Art line and I’m back to my favorites – blues and hearts.

Now for the official details…

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Hearts and wings fill this 7″ x 5″ piece of assemblage art. I think it’s best described as 3D heart art – this isn’t just a  painting. It is three dimensional with more than 50 embellishments (found objects) plus dozens of beads adhered to a stretched canvas.

Assemblage is the method of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. My assemblage art is on canvas rather than free standing and has strong steampunk overtones. With its three hearts, this one also carries a strong message of love.

Found vintage items include antique lace, jewelry makings, beaded necklace, earring, and beads. New elements include floral cabochons, shells, filigreed rounds, leaves, beads, hearts, wings and various metal embellishments.

The background is stenciled with modeling paste and covered with several colors of multiple paints which is then highlighted by spritzes of metallic. The depth of the overall design is approximately 1.375″.

There are attached hangers. Although most of my Assemblage Art pieces can be framed, I don’t suggest framing this one. Embellishments hang over the edges as part of its intricate design. This piece will also display nicely on an easel.

SOLD

Available for purchase at Etsy

Dimensions: 7” x 5” x 1.375″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and is one of a kind.

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DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics

DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics

Color chart for an upcoming large artwork – I’m recording color mixtures as part of the planning process. Most colors here are Fluid Acrylics.

Although I love working with various Finnabair paint lines (Art Alchemy), my favorite paint for Mixed Media and Assemblage artwork is DecoArt’s Media Fluid Acrylics. I promise – this is not a paid advertisement!

This paint performs wonderfully. After working with these Fluid Acrylics, I no longer purchase the small bottles of hobby craft paint (such as Americana and FolkArt) at my local hobby store. These cost a little more than those locally available craft paints and must be ordered online (at least in Oklahoma) but when you learn how much more you get from one bottle of Fluid Acrylics, the cost factor will shrink in importance.  Here’s why Fluid Acrylics are first in my book:

  • They are part of a Mixed Media line targeting Mixed Media/Assemblage artists
  • They cover in one coat – no transparency unless you buy one of their products that is marked Transparent (which are wonderful as they are used to tint other colors)
  • The colors are vibrant. I worked with hobby store paint for years before I started using DecoArt’s Fluid Acrylics and could never achieve the outstanding colors I was hoping for despite how much I mixed paints. There is no muddiness with these colors.
  • The body of the paint is such that it doesn’t run. It’s not particularly thick – it just stays where you apply it and moves easily to cover as you want. My five-year-old grandson who often paints with me in my art room said it perfectly, “Can I use those paints (Fluid Acrylics) instead of these (my hobby paint)? Those are so much easier to use and make prettier pictures.” 🙂
  • They blend beautifully. I can create any color I want. I keep records of just how I mixed each special paint color in case I want to use again in the future.

It can be challenging to find all of DecoArt’s colors in one place so I’m including a chart I recently discovered. I encourage you to order just a bottle or two and try it out for yourself.

You can usually find this paint line at Amazon but I take the time to compare prices before buying. Google the paint color you want and you’ll find a number of sites offering Fluid Acrylics for sale and see which one – on any particular day – is offering the best price with shipping costs.

Vicky 

 

 

 

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Roses Blooming

Roses Blooming

Proving that small and simpler can deliver, this stunning Assemblage Canvas measures 7″ x 5″. Sitting on a bit of antique lace, I’ve named it Roses Blooming. Fulfilling further my resolution to try new color schemes in my assemblage work, this time I’m combining light green shades with gold for the background and adding pinks and oranges and purple and blue!

And now for the official description…

This floral Assemblage Art canvas feels especially romantic with its roses, antique lace, and metal filigreed rounds. Assemblage is the method of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, it contains numerous “found objects” as well as newer embellishments.

Measuring 5″ x 7″ x with a depth of 1.25″, the background is textured with stenciled modeling paste and finished off with a number of paints, spritzes, and waxes. Its engraved message tells us to “dream as if you’ll live forever”.

Vintage found objects include antique lace, beads, and jewelry makings. Newer embellishments include paper roses, filigreed rounds, metal branch, word band, and spooky cloth.

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this Assemblage Art piece is ready for framing. It will also display nicely on an easel.

Original updated to include current status: SOLD

Dimensions: 7” x 5” x 1.25″

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind. 

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A Raven’s Outlook

A Raven’s Outlook

My latest steampunk design that is really much more than just steampunk… it satisfies those looking for steampunk but also carries an appeal for all who appreciate Assemblage Art on canvas. On a 14″ by 11″ canvas, I’m calling it A Raven’s Outlook and it’s on the larger side of what you will usually find listed for sale at Art Creations by Vicky.

Can you see the rooftops and symbols rising from the earth’s surface?

Although I always work around a focal point, I usually don’t have a theme – I let the observer interpret what is on the canvas. But this time, the piece took on a theme I didn’t plan… it contains something a little fun for Game of Thrones (GOT) fans. When I started this piece, I had just watched the Season 7 finale and was feeling lots of love for this imaginative series. Every time I watch a GOT episode, I’m particularly taken with the visuals contained in its opening credits. I have to watch the complete opening – I just love seeing all the buildings rising from the earth one by one. As always, with any of my art pieces, I started A Raven’s Outlook by establishing the focal point. I quickly realized I was creating my assemblage version of those GOT rooftops. Can any GOT fans see it besides me?! If not, just know that it’s what inspired me and when I lay my eyes on this piece, I hear the GOT theme song playing in my head! 🙂

And now for the details…

 

A Raven’s Outlook

Steampunk – it’s hugely popular and sales verify that popularity. Once again, my supply of steampunk canvases has dwindled and I’m busy creating new works majoring in my steampunk version of Assemblage Art on canvas and this is the latest – fresh from my art studio. I’m not one who gets into the floating legs or hollow eyed doll faces one often sees in steampunk art; I prefer to concentrate instead on the industrial and Victorian aspects of this fascinating science fantasy sub-genre.

On a 14″ x 11″ stretched canvas, the depth of this piece is 1.5″. The background has multiple coats and spritzes of paint with stenciled textured designs and pieces of spooky cloth providing additional dimension. Multiple layers of embellishments are added which are further finished off with metallique and antique waxes and more spritzes of paint.

Assemblage is the method of creating a larger art piece from smaller objects. Best described as a 3D collage on canvas, it contains numerous vintage “found objects” as well as newer embellishments. This piece includes over 90 embellishments/found objects and more than 200 metal beads.

Vintage elements include: large metal flower, adding machine keys, washers, wooden leaves, various earrings, wood round, bracelet links, jewelry makings, beaded earring, beads, two brooches, and buttons. Newer pieces provide its pure steampunk look with such items as gears, clock faces, ancient symbol, raven, metal balls, Vitruvian man, flower face, crown, knob, sun, cabochons, heart, juggling pin, bow and arrow and various metal embellishments.

Original article updated Nov, 2017 to include current status: SOLD

Dimensions: 14″ x 11 x 1.50″

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. This piece will also display nicely on a large table easel.

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.

Wings Surround Me – It’s All About Blue

Wings Surround Me – It’s All About Blue

The difference light makes with metallic paint. To the left in direct light. To the right, no direct light. The right is more true to what I see when casually glancing at the piece.

I’ve been spending most of my time at home the past few weeks which means I’ve been in my art studio more than usual. And I have the art to prove it! Also, it has provided me the time to organize my art supplies (which were already fairly well organized) to a greater degree. Having the type of embellishment I’m reaching for at my finger tips within seconds means I create more. I’m still working on organizing but I found that the new system worked extremely well with my latest finished works.

The Raven – effective for saying “steampunk”

And today, it’s all about blue! Admittedly, I’m a person who has had favorite colors all my life and blue, in all its forms,  has always been at the top of that list. It’s my first time to work with such a deep blue as my background – I was really afraid it would be too dark so I decided to go with the feel of deep blue. Working it together with a lighter blue that had a touch of silver and toning it down with a few of Lindy’s sprays made it work perfectly. I’m so pleased!

Rabbits add a bit of fantasy to your assemblage or mixed media piece.

In Wings Surround Me, I featured two of my favorite creatures for inclusion in my assemblage artwork – the raven and the rabbit. Ravens are an effective steampunk element which always adds to the steampunk vibe and this piece definitely says “steampunk”, just in a more subtle way. Can that be due to its coloring? I’m still mulling that over.

And the rabbit… not just any rabbit makes it into one of my assemblage artworks as I want the rabbit to add a fantasy element – not a feel of cute and sweet or scampering over fields. When I think of rabbits in an assemblage work, my mind leans heavily towards the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland.

Now for the complete description…

 

Wings Surround Me

The feel of deep blue without being dark – that was the idea lurking in my mind’s eye as I started preparing the background for this unusual taste of steampunk wall art. While steampunk elements can be found throughout the piece, I leaned towards creating a sense of overall beauty rather than the more functional feel of steampunk. Result – a beautiful Steampunk Assemblage Canvas!

I chose to mix deep blue and a lighter blue silver with bronze tones for a foundation textured with stenciled modeling paste, adding highlights of color as I layered elements (found objects) – both vintage and new. The “DISCOVERIES” word charm seemed to be the perfect finishing touch. It measures 14.0” x 11.0” x 1.375”.

This piece contains approximately 200 found objects plus hundreds of smaller and medium beads. Vintage found objects include: toy piece, beads, buttons, numerous jewelry makings, and 3D wood shapes. Newer items include: flower face, word band, bracelet links, raven, rabbit head, crown, Vitruvian man, leaves, cabochons, wings, winged heart, gears, chess piece, branch, hearts, hand, clock, and various metal embellishments.

$119.00

Available for purchase at my Etsy shop.

Dimensions: 14″ x 11″ x 1.375″

Hangers are attached and, while I prefer the no-frame look, this is ready for framing. This piece will also display nicely on a large table easel.

All art sold at Art Creations by Vicky is the work of artist Vicky Hensley and one of a kind.