inky waters

"inky waters"

~ Ann Barnes

there's a peacefulness that exists just below the surface, 

following the ebb and flow.

the sun's warm glow filters through inky waters,

 reflecting off the life in tow. 

this gilded light is cast upon flora and fauna,  

while swaying to and fro.

As with much of my art, I start out with an idea in mind and let the process lead me. This piece was born from the backgrounds. 

Experiments with the IZINK dye sprays in varying color combinations evoke thoughts of a vivid undersea world of sunken treasure.

A heavyweight cold pressed watercolor paper is sprayed with IZINK dye sprays and then more of these inks are layered on by dipping the paper into poured puddles and flicking the dye ink onto the surface, always allowing to dry in between layers to increase the depth and intensity of color. Oxide inks add to the push and pull of the inky depths.

                                                                                                             

I envision the shadows of a sailboat's ribs, decaying at the bottom of the ocean's floor.

Using the ancient mariner's map stencil, I layer paint onto the stencil and then transfer this onto the background.

A seahorse lurks in the depths searching for its mate.

Crackle texture paste through the stencil absorbs the dye inks and provides base colors. Once the crackle is achieved, the dye inks are pounced over the raised areas and allowed to dry, increasing the depth of color. Some dabs of paint give shadow, and when it is completely dry, I use my finger to rub cold gold ICE along the raised edges to highlight the lurking form.

 Having grown up learning navigation of the waters, the value of the compass is priceless, providing direction for those adrift at sea.

Paints are sponged through the stencil and highlighted with gold ink to create an unmistakeable  beacon.

Life springs from the ocean's floor, whether it be a piece of coral or a swaying plant. 

Paint is pounced through a stencil and quickly wicks the dye ink up, blooming color through the wet medium. When the first layer has dried, I add another layer of paint to random sections allowing the coral to show itself in all its glory. 

Patterned and text papers are sprayed with layers of spring green dye ink and die cut to form the plants. A layer of cold gold ICE is smeared randomly onto the vegetation and allowed to dry. 

When the sunlight is caught by this translucent gilded glaze, the plants appear to glow.

Such a glorious environment for the school of fish to encounter.

The fish images are stamped and painted with IZINK pigment inks. Mixing some unlikely colors, I am able to achieve the perfect shade of green to allow for a partial camouflage, protecting them from predators. 

I am truly honored to be part of the Seth Apter/Aladine IZINK and StencilGirl Online Hop. It's such a pleasure being able to share my love for companies that I have so much respect and appreciation for, but also to work with their products creating art to share with you.
Many thanks to Seth, Aladine, and StencilGirl for this wonderful opportunity, and thank you to everyone that has taken the time to stop by the blog, it is greatly appreciated.

There are a number of other fabulous artists sharing their art for this online hop.

It is a two day event, taking place today, May 28th as well as tomorrow, May 29th, 2020.

You can find links on Seth's blog for the artists posting their work today, and on the StencilGirl blog for the artists posting their work tomorrow. Seth is hosting a giveaway on his blog here.

I do hope you can make time to see all of the amazing pieces.
~Ann
 xxx


supplies
Seth Apter Aladine IZINK:
dye ink sprays - blue moon, lavender,  spring green, sunflower
ICE - cold gold
pigment ink - after dark, avalanche, burnt orange, ultramarine
StencilGirl stencils:
ancient mariner's map mask small with stencil
atc mix-up - daley
compass stencil


other
Daniel Smith acrylic gesso - gold
Dina Wakley Media gesso - black
Distress collage medium - matte
Distress Oxide inks - peeled paint, forest moss
Distress texture paste- crackle
foam tape adhesive
Golden fluid acrylic paint - anthraquinone blue
Liquitex acrylic ink- gold
PaperArtsy fresco paint - butter, lime
patterned and text papers
Tim Holtz Sizzix alterations dies - funky florals, garden greens
Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous stamps - sea life
watercolor paper

enchanted

Maybe it's the wonderful explosion of colorful flowers brought forth with the arrival of spring,
or perhaps it's simply the warmer weather which allows for extended time outdoors; but it has me dreaming of the whimsical world of fairies.

Today I am on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts blog sharing "enchanted", a mixed media panel/book cover. I envision this piece being hung in a young child's room and then later being converted for use as a cover for a memory book.

I begin with a 9x12 canvas art panel, and layout the chipboard pieces to create a scene. The fairy door Mary is the largest of the pieces, so I begin by situating the door along the bottom to the left side. This door will be set into a tree. Beside the tree, some mushrooms from the mushrooms shape set, will sit among grass and create the perfect perch for the fairies.

Once all of pieces are selected, I sketch an outline for what will become the tree trunk. Texture paste through a stencil creates the wood grain/bark effect. Be sure to trace the door outline before adding the texture paste so that the texture does not impede placement of the chipboard door frame. Allow the texture paste to dry.

Next, I paint the sky using layers of blue acrylic paint in different shades. Blades of grass will be painted along the bottom of the panel. Once I am satisfied with the sky, I paint the grassy bottom edge, as well as the brown tree bark. The painted panel is set aside to dry while I work on painting the door and mushroom pieces.

The door itself is treated the same as the tree. Stenciled texture paste creates the wood pattern, and once dry, a layer of brown paint is added. The door frame consists of two pieces, for this project I am only using the base piece, Since my door is set into a tree trunk, I decided not to use the "stone" patterned piece. Instead, I use texture paste to create a rough texture on the flat around and paint it to create the look of a knot where the bark has grown dark with age and the elements. Before the door and surround are secured into place, I add a glow to the canvas where the window opening is located using gold and coffee ICE.

The mushrooms are painted with acrylic paints to give a realistic look and the grassy base is painted to match the grassy base of the panel. A piece of gessoed and painted book page adhered to the reverse side of the mushrooms creates a solid backing for the cutouts. Once the pieces are complete, they are added to the base of the panel with collage medium. I set a weight on top to keep them flat while they dry.

Three fairies from the garden fairies medium set are coated with embossing ink, sprinkled with charred gold embossing powder and heat set. They are adhered to the panel with collage medium. Using a stencil, I emboss swirling stars around the fairies.

Die cut letters, painted in the deepest shade of the sky blues, form the word "enchanted" in the sky.  

The back side of the panel is covered with patterned scrapbook paper, to give a finished appearance.  

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I truly appreciate it.
I hope that wherever you find yourself these days, you are able to enjoy the beauty that nature is providing us during these unsettling times.
I wish you all the best, stay healthy and take care.
~Ann
  xxx


supplies used:
canvas art panel
DecoArt acrylic paint: raw umber,
dictionary pages
Dina Wakley Media: white gesso
Distress collage medium: matte
Distress texture paste: opaque
Distress paint:
 gathered twigs, walnut stain, vintage photo, black soot, barn door, picket fence
Emerald Creek embossing powder: charred gold
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts:

fairy door mary, garden fairies medium, mushrooms shape set
Paper Artsy fresco finish paints:
buff, denim blue, mud, venice blue
Seth Apter / Aladine ICE: cold gold, iced coffee
Tim Holtz / Sizzix alterations strip die: gothic
Tim Holtz / Stampers Anonymous stencil: SSS stamptember - swirling stars