Inner Visions

Inner Visions

Monday, January 27, 2014

StencilGirl Blog Hop featuring StencilGirl Artist Michelle Ward





Michelle Ward's new stencils are now available!

Here's a piece I did using her Segments Small Stencil, a 6x6" stencil with lots of possibilities!







Today I'm working on a 6"x 6" cradled gessobord.

First I adhere old book pages with matte medium until the surface is completely covered.
After it dries, it can be trimmed around the edges with a craft knife.

I sanded the surface with 150 grit sandpaper for added interest,
then a light coat of white gesso, wiping most of it off.

 I painted over Michelle's stencil with cerulean blue and yellow iron oxide acrylic paint.

I moved the stencil around and blended the paints with my brush.  


I kept moving the stencil around and adding paint until I was happy with the composition.

 *note* Michelle's stencils are wonderful examples of very pleasing compositions already, however it was important to me to make this piece my own work, using her design.



A dragonfly charm was attached to finish the piece.




Please note that StencilGirl is hosting a giveaway on StencilGirl Talk consisting of Michelle's new stencils. All comments on the hop are eligible for the giveaway. The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to win. The gIveaway will close on Friday, January 31st at 11:59PM Central Time.


So now, on to Judy Shea!

96 comments:

  1. Ethereal magic, Julie. Nothing better to say. :)

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  2. Beautiful piece of artwork Julie!

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  3. Love seeing your process!!
    <3 J

    jwoolbright at gmail dot com

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  4. I love that you held true to your own style using her stencil inspiration.

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  5. Love the colors and the simplicity of design.

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  6. Love how this gave way to a nature theme. Appreciated seeing your process to see how the composition came about.

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  7. Thanks for showing how you made this beautiful work.

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  8. Love the colors and how the design pops. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. I see this as a very subtle and fragile piece, quite calming.

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  10. I'm still learning all the many ways stencils can be used, and amazed to see such inspiring uses for Michelle's awesome new designs. Thanks much, for a chance to win :)

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  11. Beautiful way to use this stencil. and what a beautiful piece. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. Love seeing the progression of your piece....wonderful!

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  13. love the way you created so much depth here, and then the dragonfly alights... beautiful.

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  14. I love the hops because you really get to see all the possibilities. Wonderful work. Thank you

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  15. Really lovely ethereal piece of art!

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  16. Always love the dragonflies.... and the use of parts of the stencils coming though is a great idea.

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  17. Amazing! Absolutely amazing use of this stencil!

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  18. Stunning colors and composition, Julie! Love the incorporation of. The word "discover" and the dimension of the dragonfly!!

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  19. I am looking forward to spring so I can move my work area out to the garage. I can make as big a mess as I want and can be free to play with all kinds of new medium. I make greeting cards and have several groups that I have to prepare projects for. I don't get to spend as much time as I'd like doing new and different things. that is going to change this spring. I can tear up books and spray paint and....... (can't do that in my bedroom workspace now). Love your page. the dragonfly really pops.

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  20. So many cool ways to use stencils that I never knew about before. That;s what is great about blog hopping!

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  21. What fun to see what all of you talented artists are doing with these stunning new stencils. Dragonfly: direct line to my heart!

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  22. Beautiful piece Julie. I too love using text under my work like that. It give such an interesting subtle layer of text under the work.

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  23. Nice use of the stencil and text.

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  24. Lovely! I liked that you moved the stencil around.

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  25. Love how you have used the stencil. Everyone seems to have a very different approach with them. It.s really great seeing what everyone is doing with them.

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  26. Love the way you moved the stencil around to get a much less geometric, graphic image. Beautiful.

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  27. Julie, this is fabulous. Love your stepped out descriptions of technique and philosophy, taking the stencil and embracing it as you own by not using "as is". That makes me so happy!

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  28. A subtle and beautiful image. You have adapted Michelle's stencil to your own purpose....perfect.

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  29. Beautiful work of art! Thanks for the tutorial. I love how you've taken the stencil and made it into something that reflects YOU! Thanks for sharing!

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  30. I love the mysterious quality of your background!

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  31. Such a beautiful piece! When I first looked at it, I thought "peace." The dragonfly was a perfect touch.

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  32. Love the peace and quiet that this make shows!

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  33. Beautiful piece of artwork. Calming colors. Love the dragonfly.

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  34. I love the smoky effect of your painting technique. Thanks for sharing.

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  35. Love that soft and beautiful painting. Such a different take on the stencils.

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  36. It's so inspiring to see use of a stencil that creates a totally different effect than the original stencil's design. Your process was great too. Thanks!

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  37. I really liked this method of moving the stencils around in your artwork ! Amazing!
    Thank you for sharing!

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  38. Just beautiful. I never think of using the stencil as part of a mixed media project. thank you for showing me the way. I love your work.

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  39. Julie, You have really managed to make this piece your own. I love the subtle, blended stencilling. Barbara x

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  40. I am absolutely loving this one! It has an Asian feel to it almost Zen! Love it hoping I can get my hands on all of them.

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  41. this is so lovely. you used the stencil in a very creative way.

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  42. I really like the collage background on this, the stencil takes on a very calligraphic look with the painterly way in which you used it! Really beautiful!

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  43. Love how you used the stencil!

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  44. Wow, I love how you used Michelle's stencil in your art work! Hoping to win these fabulous stencils!

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  45. I go NUTs with anything with a dragon fly in it. Loved the finished product. Did not understand if you painted with acrylics or medium of some kind using the stencil.

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    1. Thank you, Beth. Once the gesso dried on the text papers, all other layers are done with acrylic paints.

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  46. lovely~love seeing all the different interpretations of the stencils!

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  47. your piece is very mystical, really love it. great stencils.

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  48. Beautiful Art Julie- thanks for showing us your steps! yup- I love Dragonflies also!

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  49. I love the art piece you made with Michelle's new stencils. they look like so much fun! I would love to win a set. Thanks.

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  50. it's really fun to see everyone's take on using these stencils, such diverse and interesting techniques and all beautiful.

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  51. Very lovely and delicate... me likey lots :)
    textilerecycler (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  52. I love what you did with this stencil!
    ...Raine

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  53. Lovely painting with a beautiful charm!

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  54. You certainly succeeded in making this your own. The color choices and blending are superb.

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  55. Hopping through the blogs and finding great new artists!

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  56. Fabulous use of the stencil! Love it!

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  57. Very inspiring use of stencils and painting - thank you for sharing.

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  58. the segment stencil is going to be a popular one. I hope they made lots.

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  59. Fabulous!
    I love what you've done!

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  60. Amazing how you got such a soft design with the hard lines in the stencil. Makes me rethink *everything*!

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  61. really like the composition of your piece! Very nice

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  62. Gorgeous! Love these stencils!

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  63. wow, Who knew that these stencils can be so great at work!

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  64. you are very talented my dear! I've never seen your name before but you are now going to be bookmarked! love your style!

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  65. I love blog hops as they are such a great way to find new inspiration and discover artists and products that you may not have been familiar with. I was interested to see how you used the stencil to create your own original work.

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  66. Love your use of the stencil as a start off point to making it your own. Love the finished piece as well. Very pretty!

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  67. Was really intrigued by your process--thanks for sharing. This piece is so peaceful and calm. I love looking at it.

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  68. Loved the process as well as the end result! Always enjoy seeing what you have done.

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  69. Very calming color palette- which is easy on the eyes and soothing to look at. The dragonfly charm adds another nice touch and unifies the composition (with vertical elements).

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  70. I love what you did with this stencil…beautiful! and inspirational….thanks

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  71. One of the reasons I have not used stencils much - is the idea of unique mark making - regardless of the medium. What a lovely way to use a stencil and still make it your own. Truly inspiring.

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  72. Beautiful! Love your statement about making it your own. I need to remember that it's okay to use bits and pieces and to move things around and not just plop the stencil down once and be done. Your piece is just wonderful!

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  73. I so love this piece, I am new to stencils but no stranger to my favorite......dragonflies.

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  74. Wow, that is so beautiful. Thank you!

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  75. I like the old book pages sanded and gesso'd.
    That give your piece warmth.

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  76. Love using old book pages. Really did a great job with it. =)

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  77. Love your take on the stencils. I love the stencils.

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  78. Thank you for showing your process! Your work is amazing!

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