Cabinet of Curiosities - Finnabair Creative Team

Hello,

sometimes someone asks me why I make this type of artworks - without any specific purpose and not useful for anything practical. Have you ever been asked that too? :)

Why? Well, I must admit that for me it's a strange question. Art doesn't have to be useful or practical! We create to express ourselves artistically, to get our hands dirty, to play with new paints and products, or to simply have fun.And that's why this project was created.

I made my own cabinet of curiosities with a selection of my favorite elements, symbols and little trinkets. For me, each of them is meaningful in some way. There is a feather here, a star, and a seahorse - a piece of the sea world that I love so much. I also had to add my favorite embellishments that add so much character to my artworks - all sizes of Art Stones, mysterious little bottles and simple white string.

In this piece I also included my favorite colors and textures.

I've recently rediscovered the beauty of Art Extravagance Graphite Paste and now you can find it in almost each of my projects. :) It doesn't really matter that it's black because once it's dry, you can easily give it any color you like and still enjoy the textural effect. I used it through the 'Bubbles' stencil.

I painted my main embellishments with the gold rust from Rust Effect Paste set. This is my favorite shade of yellow and it worked perfectly in this project. Doesn't it beautifully contrast with Art Alchemy Metallique Emerald Green?! 

I also added some Art Alchemy Waxes here and there. I used the Vintage Gold one which beautifully highlighted the details and gave this frame a more noble character. 

This project is filled with all kinds of my must-haves.

There are products that I always have at hand and without them my project somehow seem incomplete :) I definitely need to have Heavy White Gesso, Art Stones, gauze and white ink or paint for accents and splatters. They add this final little "something" so that I can feel the project is finished.

I made a video especially for you so if you'd like to create your own "Cabinet of curiosities", you can see my process and feel inspired.

With my project today I'd like to remind you that whatever you create and why, remember that first of all, you create for yourself. Experiment, don't be afraid of new things, listen to your own voice, don't think, just act! Don't think from the beginning about how your project will be judged. Just have fun and love what you create!

Products used:

Limited edition - mixed media canvas - Finnabair CT

Hello friends,

Today I have for you a very simple project which was so much fun to work on! You'll find here a picture of my beloved dog - easy to guess that's why this project fell so close to my heart! :)

As you will see in video tutorial below, I built the whole diagonal composition on a canvas board and I created my background starting with a few chipboard shapes from 7 Dots Studio and Art Basics Modeling Paste. This is basically a textural paste that is used to add dimension to your projects, but it can also be used to glue various elements and works great as a base for custom made paints or pastes (simply mix with your favorite paint, pigment or ink).

To add even more interest, I also used another kind of paste that gives a beautiful rough effect - Stone Effect Paste. In this case I only chose the Pumice one and simply applied it with a paintbrush, not being too precise. When you apply the paste it doesn't look very interesting at first, only after the addition of colors all the textures are highlighted and look amazing.

This time I didn't use any papers or flowers, my embellishments are only Mechanicals and transparent Art Pebbles. First, I gently matted these elements with White Gesso so that they would better take the color medium in the next step. I simply sprinkled some pigments and misted them with a little bit of water creating beautiful color stains. I used Primary Elements Artist Pigments - they come in lovely saturated colors, so just a pinch is often enough to get a stunning effect. You can also mix them with water and use as sprays.

When everything was completely dry, I added delicate accents with Art Alchemy Waxes. All the raised 3D elements, in particular Art Pebbles, look so great after such treatment with the beautiful Waxes.

To make the canvas not so "clean" I added a little bit of the Rust Paste.

Check how brilliant it looks when you spray it with water - a very convincing rust effect you won't be able to resist!

And finally - I just can't do without some splashes of white ink. You can also use acrylic paint (e.g. Snow White Impasto) or watered down White Gesso.

Please feel free to watch my video and see my whole creative process step by step!

I encourage you to reach for family photos, to capture your memories in all kinds of artistic projects. Artworks like this have the most emotional meaning and are always one of a kind. And remember - your beloved pets are your family members too and also look great in such projects! 

Products used:

Hexagons - new challenge at Scrapki-wyzwaniowo

Hello!

It's time for new challenge at Scrapki-wyzwaniowo. This month out theme is HEXAGONS. I think this is pretty simple topic, so we're waiting for your projects! :) 

I really love to make tags, so I made one for this challenge.

Sponsors:

European manufacturer, that create scrapbooking lines consist of papers, stickers, die-cut elements, stamps, stencils and chipboard. Creative and passionate crew works to bring you inspiring products, that will make your creativity blooming. 

website - www.7dotsstudio.com

blog - http://7dotsstudio.com/archives/category/blog

facebook - http://www.facebook.com/7DotsStudio

twitter - https://twitter.com/7DotsStudio

pinterest - http://www.pinterest.com/7dotsstudio/

UmWowStudio is a family owned business out of Las Vegas, NV. The production is specialized in laser cut chipboard embellishments and masks for the paper crafting and mixed media community.

website - http://umwowstudio.com/

blog - http://umwowstudio.blogspot.com/

facebook - https://facebook.com/UmWowStudio

instagram - http://www.instagram.com/UmWowStudio

pinterest - https://pinterest.com/umwowstudio

First Prize

sponsored by 7 Dots Studio

Second Prize

sponsored by UmWowStudio

Random Prize

sponsored by 7 Dots Studio

 Good luck to all of you!

Please check our rules here. The most important rules:

1. You can create any project you want, unless it is specified in challenge rules. 

2. Each person can enter with one project per month. 

3. To enter the challenge please: 

- create a project, 

- publish it on your blog together with a link to our challenge and a visual reminder for our challenge 

- add a link to your blogpost (not a whole blog) using Inlinkz tool - you will find it below each challenge and in right column of our blog.

You have time till November, 30th, 23:55 CET.
Please link directly to a blog post with your project. Thank You.