Hey Sailor!

I'm back today with an art journal page I made using

the Sailor image from Spesh Ink.

Pop on over to Spesh Ink 

and check out the details of my project. 

  

Let me introduce you to the Gent

Man, where does the time go? Seems only yesterday I was trying

to get back into creating and blogging more often. Then, radio silence.

Well, I'm back! 

This time I should be around a bit more often since I am on the newly

founded SpeshInk Design Team, 

supporting and creating art using the current line of stamps created by 

Mark Gould for Chocolate Baroque.  

I chose to start by creating an insert page for my art journal.

I picked up a pack of these from Tuesday Morning on the cheap. 

They came in three different colors; manila tag, black, and kraft. 

I had the bright idea to use a black page, and then I heat embossed The Gent 

image with black powder. Now, how the heck was I gonna color this thing?!

I decided to give it a go using some Stampin' Up watercolor pencils.

Since my selection was limited, I was challenged to come up with a flesh tone.

I ended up using browns, oranges, yellows, and white. 

Not sure it worked all that well, but it does convey a flesh-ish tone.   

It toned down quite a bit once I used some water to blend it out.

I created the background using Distress Oxide inks.

I love these inks. They blend like buttah, and I love the

oxide effect that is achieved simply with water.  

 I have a bunch of mustache brads that I rarely use, so I was

determined to get one on this project. I used it to cross the "t". 

Pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

I added some washi tape and hardware to the upper corner.

I tried to keep it pretty flat along the left hand side as it will be added 

to my art journal, which already has issues closing.

 I added some silver gear die cuts, and broke out my Distress crayons

to add distress and grunge all over the place. I love the black crayon. It's perfect

for adding dimension and shading on projects like this.

Lastly, I added black and white splatter to give an over all cohesiveness to the page.

That's it for me today.

Be sure to pop by the SpeshInk blog to meet all of the new DT talent, and

prepare for the next installment of art made with these awesome stamps.

I'd like to enter this project in the following challenges:
A Inky Mess - Anything Goes Mixed Media
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes mixed media

SanDee&Amelie Steampunk challenges - Steampunk/Industrial
Avenue 613 - Anything Goes/Mainly blue
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - E is for Engineering

New year, new art

Well, well, well, 

look who's dusted off her keyboard and is posting

in 2018!

I haven't been able to create much over the last year, but

I made it a priority (of sorts) to create some card art when

my brother from another mother, Mark Gould told me he

had launched a set of stamps over at Chocolate Baroque.

And not just any stamps, but some really lovely art
that is reminiscent of tattoo line art with a Steampunk flair.

First up is a card I made for my father's 70th birthday,

using "The Gent", image.  

I love how you can really make the image for any man,

of any age, just by adjusting your color palette.

Since my father is now 70, I used distinguished grays to 

 color his hair and beard. I have to say this gentleman does have
more on top than my dad, but he still enjoyed the card and
the similarities.

This gorgeous lady is called,

"Gypsy Rose". 

I am pretty chuffed with how this card turned out. 

Not too bad for a dusty, old chick.

Me, not Gypsy Rose.

The size of these stamps allows you the freedom to get really
nice blends and should be a dream to color in any medium.
I chose my papers out of my coveted Graphic 45 stash of
Rare Oddities, and let them dictate my Copic coloring palette.

There are two more stamps in Mark's current line, so be sure to pop
by Chocolate Baroque and check them out. They are currently on sale,
and you get even more bang for your buck if you buy all four stamps.
You're welcome.
And do yourself one more favor and pop by Marks's blog, or follow him
on face book to see all the cool schtuff this guy's doing. He's all over the
place teaching, and creating. Quite a talented chap.
Again, you're welcome.