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Friday, May 10, 2013

Gloria J Zucaro's "Many Thanks"

A strange thing happened.  I went on my trip and really enjoyed the respite from all the online challenges I had been doing for over a year.  When I returned in early April, I found that when I started looking at the challenges again each week, I felt a strong resistance to doing them.  True, I have had family and other life issues lately,but definitely my first real artist block.  So I am starting back slowly with odds and ends of projects.  Here is a small 6 x 6 cotton canvas panel I learned how to texturize last weekend.  First we added a very thick almost paste-like matte medium and then while it was wet we layered papers, eyelet lace, bottle caps, corrugated cardboard, torn paper pieces, buttons, pieces of different artificial flowers and string.  They were all coated with the medium as well.  We used a heat gun to dry the surface.  Then we completely covered the entire surface of each piece with white gesso.  Dried it, then sprayed the surface with two colors of spray inks.  After that was dry, we dry-brushed on black acrylic and highlighted the edges of things with the gesso.  We did that two-step process a couple of times until we were satisfied with the depth it created.  Then we glued on the rhinestones.  It was fun and easy and could be applied to larger art pieces.  The class was held at Stamp, Scrap 'N More in Mundelein,Il.

Then I was really pleased to get a wonderful journal as a gift from Judy Shea who is a wonderful multimedia artist at http://thekeytomyart.wordpress.com.  My name was a random pick from her comment list.  Here is the gorgeous journal.  I love the gilded edges and all the beads and colors.  Oh, and Judy also makes her own button shapes and other pieces to add to your journal pages and covers.  She sent those along as an extra special surprise.





Thank you so much, Judy!  I am a happy camper!

Next, a big "Thank You" to my daughter for the time she spent before Easter to buy these kits from Ebay and for putting them all together for my Easter hostess/Moms gift.  They are so beautiful!  When my children were young, we would go to a craft store in East Dundee, Illinois called Lee Ward's to buy these kits to make holiday ornaments together.  So these hold great memories, too.  I still have them on my mantel.  Thank you, Lucy! :>)



I am posting this to Paint Party Friday, as I have missed a whole month or more!



13 comments:

  1. Your textured piece is fabulous Gloria! so much to see! I think it is good to take a break from the online challenges for a while and enjoy a bit of ' my space' time, where you can create freely with no boundaries.

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  2. Gloria.. thanks for your mention in my post. I'm so happy you like the journal and the "button n'bellishement". Let me know if you enter anything in the journal and show us. It's so important for us to take a break from all the little "pressures" of the challenge. I have and am so grateful for the free time.

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  3. Welcome back. =) Been there too, too often... =)

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  4. Welcome Back! Sounds like your art mojo is ready for a new challenge? HPPF!

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  5. good to see you back Gloria, am loving your mixed media with fab textures piece. Loving your win and the gorgeous eggs. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. Sometimes I use the resistance to a prompt or challenge to learn what I really want to do, and that useful to me, if not the group :) I love the textures in your piece, and the sparkle. The journal pages look great and the Easter pieces are lovely.

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  7. Ooh Gloria I am in enamored with your textured piece! I have been waiting to do that with a bunch of jewelery I have from the eighties!! Very nicely done!!I am starting to think blocks are a way for an artist to start anew with a different eye and vision!! Seems everyone who has had them comes back doing different work!! It's a thought!

    Hugs Giggles

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  8. Great post! I love your textured piece and what a wonderful gift you received:) The eggs are such a special treasure, what a lovely daughter you have:) HPPF

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  9. Welcome back, Gloria!!! I love your textured piece, and those eggs that your daughter made for you are glorious. Have a blessed Mother's Day!

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  10. I love that textured piece - I am always amazed at what a versatile artist you are. HPPF

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  11. welcome back! looks like you've been busy with some fun projects.

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  12. Welcome back Gloria, I know what it's like . I take a little reprieve in my quiet garden , listen to music, read poetry/stories , visit visual galleries on line where no comments are required. I find this helps me tremendously and leaves me energized with much inspiration and unburdened.
    Your mixed media textured piece is beautiful and those eggs are gorgeous, luv the yellow one with the chicks; your daughter did a fabulous job on them.
    Just tread lightly and you'll be fine : )

    Thanks for sharing.
    Annabelle O,O

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  13. Gloria J Zucaros, your contributions are truly appreciated. Your dedication and efforts shine through in your work. Best Game Emulators Your input is nice. This blog is guideful.

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Thanks for leaving me a message. I so appreciate hearing from you.