Sharing my passion for handcrafted jewelry, paper making, and living a creative life.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Melange 'Antique' Challenge

The prompt for this month's Melange Team mixed media challenge is 'Antique.'  The monthly challenges are open to everyone so please feel free to join us any time!

My friend, Donna, surprised me with a few antique store finds this spring...some great old books to use in my mixed media.  Inside one of the books we found a wonderful bonus;


this old negative of a steam locomotive


So I scanned it into my computer and used it to create this mixed media piece.


STEAM LOCOMOTIVE :  Mixed media on cradled board, 6x6"

I cut a map of Canada out of a 1950's Canadian atlas, mounted it on card stock, and washed it with titanium buff fluid acrylic paint.  Then using a two step crackle compound and a gel stain, I created the antiqued finish.  When this was all dry, I applied digital grounds for a non-porous surface.  After drying the grounds overnight, I printed the locomotive onto the antiqued map.  I used my handmade stamps to embellish the surface and added black ink around the edges for a smokey, aged look.  I painted the cradled board black before mounting the piece with heavy matte gel.  A satin varnish was sprayed over the surface.

I debated about adding other elements but I didn't want to detract from the locomotive itself.

9 comments:

  1. Liz fabulous, I love this! I didn't know one could scan a negative and come up with a photo! I really really love what you did with this, you must love the results too! It's that kind of good... where the creator should really be crazy about it too!

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  2. Thanks, Pat! I have a scanner that scans negatives and slides. I have used it so much. And I do really like this piece, too!

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  3. This is a stunning piece! Great job!

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  4. wonderful..textures and colors are lovely and subject is perfect vintage image.

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  5. Totally amazing and it makes you wonder, who were those people in front of the train and what were their lives like? Little did they know that someday their faces would come back to life in a new wonderful form!

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  6. This is very well done. I love it! Mahwvelous Dahling!

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  7. This is super cool. Love it.

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  8. very cool look...you gave that old train a new life

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  9. Heisann!
    Fabulous... interesting express!
    Have a nice week ;:OD)

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