Saturday, November 20, 2010

MESMERIZED!

MESMERIZED

Close-up, please double click for a better view

Although I tried to come up with another name for this painting, I could only describe her as “Mesmerized.” I think there is something about her eyes that makes her a look a little... well, a little "off." A better way to put it would be that she looks like she is completely spellbound. I found an old piece of thin lace and attached it to the wooden canvas with Golden Gel Medium and then painted over the entire surface with acrylics. This is a very large painting of 32"w x 48" H.

Double click to see the texture of the wood frame and then hold shift key down and click +

I was delighted to find the old mirror frame in my stash and it worked out perfectly. I distressed it by dipping tissue paper into a thin coat of white glue and then layed it onto the frame. When it dried, I painted it with linen acrylic paint. I think the linen gives the entire painting a soft look. I attached butterflies of all types with encaustic wax and added tiny crystals to make the hands look like the butterflies are emerging from them. My daughter, Kelli, modeled for me so that I could paint her hands.

Here you can see the textured lace dress by double clicking

Now that the painting is finished, I can use a digital image of it in any way I choose. I was so excited to finish this journal that I drug all my art supplies to my kitchen table since my studio is occupied at the moment with a large custom piece I am finishing. I will be posting about the piece in early December and I'm also very excited about the fact that my friend, Lisa, from The Wright Stuff will be my guest blogger with quite a story to tell about this very special project. Wait until you read about Sekmeth's breath!!! It will truly leave you mesmerized and spellbound!!!

Some of the materials used for the journal

I created the journal by machine embroidering around the image, which I had already placed on quilt backing. I placed it onto a Canson journal book in which I had already added the flat lace to and painted it with acrylic. I then added more lace, faceted jewels and butterflies with encaustic wax. I tied yarn and ribbon to the spine and voila! Mesmerized journal is now born!

Finished journal

Close-up of butterflies and wax

Close-up of the lace.

Mesmerized journal is for sale for $65.00 You can view her on my Etsy shop by clicking here

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38 comments:

  1. I LOVE this piece- her eyes are incredible and you might know that I'm a fool for butterflies and of course using prints to create new pieces form old. That mirror frame you used is the perfect finishing touch for this painting!

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  2. She really is beautiful, and so great to use her over and over in different ways. Thanks for the shout out... Hope you readers enjoy the story!

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  3. Cheryl I am mesmerized !! She is butterfly beautiful and her eyes say it all.
    Wow an amazing post...
    Have a great day. Big Hugs, Laura.xoxx

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  4. WOW!!! Such beautifully creative art...clever goddess you x
    Def my fav :0)
    love & light
    Trace x

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  5. Beautiful! I love the way the butterflies seem to fly up from her hands and form a crown on her head. Perhaps she is a butterfly queen. Her face is beautiful and her eyes not only are mesmerizing, they also encourages interest and suggest intrigue.

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  6. Fabulous and gorgeous Cheryl..another stunning beauty!

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  7. A truly stunning, beautiful work of art! So inspirational. I love how you've framed it too and your choice of colours.

    The journal is equally beautiful of course!

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  8. Extraordinary detail and a lovely way to begin my morning !
    I have looked at her face for some time. Your faces are "mesmerizing" to me!

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  9. Happy Saturday, Cheryl! What a truly stunning piece! Oh, I love her eyes ... you are correct, they are mesmerizing. She has a peaceful quality to her being. All of the textures are fabulous... lending an ethereal quality to the piece. And I love the added dimensions of the butterflies, magnifique!

    Wishing you a weekend filled with softness in your heart and quiet stirrings in your soul ... Hugs, P.

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  10. Hello Cheryl, I can see in the result of your piece here that you had a marvelous time making it and the excitement is part of the attraction.
    To me the most important element in making art is the joy that comes from the activity itself, as well as the finished product. Looking forward to seeing the "big" project you are working on, in Dec.

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  11. Cheryl, I am mesmerized by the beauty of this piece! On its own it is fabulous but with the frame...oh my! Perfection! Love how you put the journal together too. So pretty!

    Hugs,

    Sue

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  12. All your work is stunning. Tom and I took a trip to Floyd a few weeks ago and loved running into your fantastical creations in Mountain Mercantile! Best, Dian

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  13. Oh wow! You have outdone yourself Cheryl. she is an absolute stunner. I love the way you have done your journal.

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  14. It is Mesmerizing! I love the butterfly halo! so beautiful! :)

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  15. SHe is truly beautiful! I love the butterflies around her.

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  16. mesmerizing is right! and i love all the butterflies...so beautiful.

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  17. WOW!!!! She is totally amazing, beautiful work.
    Debby

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  18. So much love and detail go into your work. Truly full of expression and I love how you create an essence or story around each of your "ladies" and other sculptural pieces. And as always I love the added lace, paper, jewels and other textural elements. Beautiful art and frame too Cheryl!

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  19. Cheryl, Its such a treat to come over and see what your up to next. Her eyes really are mesmerizing!!!! and that frame, How perfect and Love those butterflies! Your so creative to use the image again in your other art pieces! Can't wait to see what your big project is!!!

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  20. A truly mesmerizing piece, the butterflies around her give a wonderful uplifting quality to the whole piece and seem to transport the observer into a new dimension. I adore the frame also, the coloring is incredible. And of course i love the journal cover, such a creative way of making further use of this beautiful portrait.

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  21. She has the most striking eyes, and I think she has the power to mesmerize anyone who looks into them. A beautiful artwork my friend.

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  22. So; the definition of 'mesmerised'- having your attention fixated as though by a spell.
    Fascinated, hypnotised,spellbound, transfixed, enchanted.

    Perfect - all of the above certainly apply! I'm excited about your special project, can't wait to find out about it...x

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  23. By a little off, you mean, tuned in...she can see things most people can't, or won't take the time to see. Little magical things flitting in the air...I see them. But maybe I'm a little off, too :)

    Lisa is a dream weaver...perfect match for you!

    I love, love the painting...and the old frame is perfect. I so GET you!
    XoX

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  24. So amazing. you're really doing some unique and beautiful things!

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  25. Stunning pieces..both of them are gorgeous *sigh*

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  26. It's hard coming late to a "party," because all the good adjectives are already used. I have no real way to express how much I really love this piece, except to parrot what others have said.

    Two things: how you transformed the frame using tissue and glue. Simply perfect and so textural. And how you used the same image again on a journal cover. I know Diane Salter takes photo copies of her paintings, and I love the extended use you get from doing this. I'm totally impressed with both pieces, because you know I can't sketch or paint a thing.

    Can't wait to see what you and Lisa have cooked up. She is one of my favorite collage artists.

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  27. Cheryl your painting and the frame are gorgeous, the frame really fits to her, love the layer of lace and paint, great idea, and the journal is fantastic, it's so inspiring to visit your blog.
    Anni

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  28. Wow am I so glad I found your blog, its all so totally wonderful and inspiring. Have just started Art and to see yours is totally awesome and something to strive for.
    Annette

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  29. Cheryl, Cheryl, Cheryl, you have gone and done it again!! As someone said earlier, what can I say that has not been already said. Except that she is definitely from another world. She has been places and knows of things that none of us know of but would love to know! You go, girl!!!! Trish

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  30. What an inspiring post......I love what you did with her and the fact that you can use her in so many different ways......Love the mirror frame and I love the journal.....

    You are one talented lady.....

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  31. WOW....your painting is amazing, Cheryl! I LOVE how you did the frame also...a beautiful compliment to the painting. The journal is mesmerising too!

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  32. Wow, I too am mesmerized, I think this is my all time favorite , I hope you are keeping her, this is absolutely incredible. Look what I have missed, I am so behind on visiting blogs and I always miss the best things, but that's the great thing about blogs, it is still there for me to see:)
    I love all the beautiful texture, the colors, the butterflies are magical, and the woman reminds me of you :)

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  33. AFter all that I forgot about your beautiful journal, I love it too, you are a true mixed media artist Cheryl :)

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  34. She is beautiful. Sorry I have been away so long. Gosh we are so swamped with family stuff right through Christmas. Hope your Turkey Day was awesome.

    k

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  35. Cheryl...I love this...all the detailing ... all the beautiful work...
    i think she looks sultry...like she is 'captivated' by her lovers gaze and ready for .... CHOCOLATE!

    what did you think I was going to say? lol

    great seeing you take your original art work and using the image to create other offspring pieces of art! that journal is delicious! well done...you are so very inspiring! or should I say 'captivating'?

    have a great night...
    and thanks so much for your recent visit and comment...you are always a sheer pleasure and delight to read~

    ciao bella
    creative carmelina

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  36. Absolutely gorgeous! Her eyes are s obeautiful. Your work is always stunning. I am sorry I have been such a lame blogger lately!

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