AWNB The Rhythm of the Sea part 2

It's the second week of our Rhythm of the Sea and Anything Goes challenges at Art With No Boundaries. I really love this theme...anything to do with the ocean and sea life really floats my boat (bad pun intended!) I've been enjoying the wonderful entries our talented friends have been posting for the two challenges. All of that creativity is truly inspiring.

For this week's project, I started with this very cool stand designed to hold 8x8 scrapbook pages in protectors. I scooped it up a while ago at Michael's with a 50% off coupon, thinking it would make a wonderful display for altered art. I can easily change it to feature my latest favourite or with the seasons.

I chose Loreley Sand and Shells as the CS Designs image I wanted to play with this time. Love the expression on her face...like she knows something that we don't or maybe she's dreaming of adventure. I also love all of the grasses and shells...perfect opportunity to use the bright colours I favour.  I coloured  this 6x6" image with Prismacolor pencils, using OMS to blend. The sand was coloured over texture plates because I wanted to create texture and movement. Flat back pearls highlight her eyes for a bit of extra sparkle and dimension. Loreley was matted with dark brown cardstock and popped up on foam tape.

For the background, I recycled the cardboard that was inside the sheet protectors package. I adhered coarse grit sandpaper to the cardboard and then sprayed sparkly ink through some plastic netting, the kind that comes on those clementine boxes. It makes a wonderful, subtle pattern that adds interest and shimmer without detracting from the star of the show. Plus it's so easily rinsed and readied for the next time.

I had a roll of outdoor gardening burlap so I rough cut it, frayed both ends and rolled it a bit before stapling it onto the bottom of the piece. It would form the netting to catch all of the sea bits. Shells, starfish, sand, sea glass, and a pearl were all glued to the burlap overlapping Loreley a little to tie the sections together and create flow.  For the two sides, more shells were added, as well as a clock charm and a key charm. I included those because mermaids are notorious for collecting shiny bits and bobs from shipwrecks, I also included two word charms: dream and journey because that's what I think she's doing. She loves to explore the vast ocean wonders...she's that kind of mermaid :)

I love how rustic and natural this piece looks as well as how beautiful Chris' faces are. The combination of Loreley's beauty with the rough sandpaper and burlap appeals to me.

Hey, thanks for dropping by. I really appreciate the comments that you leave, too. Come play in our Art With No Boundaries challenges this week. I'd love to see what you've been up to. Be sure to visit the AWNB blog so you can see what the rest of the DT has been creating. Very inspiring, to be sure.

Life is good; so is art.
Bonnie