Wednesday 4 September 2013

A Fantastic Weekend

Hello everyone and thanks for dropping by. As many of you know I have just returned from the most fantastic weekend doing classes with the fabulous Finnabair. It was the most amazing event, not only because of all the wonderful classes Finn taught, but also because I met up with so many like-minded friends, old and new.

It's late at night as I write this post, so I will keep it brief and will show much more in the days to come, but for right now I at least wanted to share one of the projects we did and show you my version. No doubt you will be able to see many more in various places across blog land. It was a great inspiration to see what so many talented artist managed to create under Finns amazing guidance.
So today I will share an 8 x 8 canvas. I took a few step by step photos, but very soon I got so caught up in the creative process that I forgot to take more.....
Here you can see about step three. After covering the canvas with strips of randomly torn paper and canvas resist, we arranged our embellishments around a photo and then covered the bottom half with black acrylic paint.
Here is further stage, the canvas now sprayed with mica sprays, both over the black at the bottom and over the top half which had been thinly coated with gesso first.
The final stage, bringing the whole piece together with further layers of gesso and sprays, plus (in my case) a few high lights with some Treasure Gold.
As you can see, keeping the photo clean is not so easy, specially if you are a messy worker like I am.
Here are a few close ups still:
Some of the embellishments included in the very generous kits we received

I decided to give my lady some creative head gear... I chopped up some of the wooden bits that came with the canvas and cut up some of the larger bits to create the rest of the contraption.

Here you can see some of the fab texture created with the help of bits of canvas and lace. The paint, sprays and gesso bring all the textures to life.
Well, that's it for my first project (it was the second one we did in the classes) I'll leave you with a few happy snaps that capture some of the wonderful moments during the weekend.
Back row from left to right:
Lesley Ebdon, Alison (Butterfly) Brenda Brown, Emma Taylor
Middle row: Alison (Crafty Trog) Finn, myself and Tracey Bantoft
Front row, the "terrible twins" Nicky and Gillian

How's this for a photo composition?

With Alison, Finn and Brenda, - so wonderful to meet you all!!!

Here you can see all of us proudly displaying our canvasses after the class.
Well, that's it for today, but before I sign off I want to apologize that I have not been visiting nearly as many of your blogs as I would have liked in the last few days. I had a full day of work today, but hope to catch up with you all in the next day or two.

Thank you for visiting like always! Hugs

48 comments:

Keith@ Vintage Crab Jewelry and Crafts said...

Very well done! I love the texture and colors.

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a wonderful and bautiful project, and what a nice thought to have some lessons' of her (Finnebair) next month, yes she is comming to Belgium to learn us here the same techniques , its wonderfull to see some beautiful work on your blog too Astrid, onfortunatly I will took only one workshop because I didn't know if I would like this, but now when I see your beautifull work , I'm sorry I didn't took the whole weekend too!!

Greetings
Maria

Claire said...

Hi Astrid, oooooh looks like you've had a fabulous time! Your canvas is gorgeous, and what lovely photos too
Claire xx

Anonymous said...

Your style is so different than mine, yet I'm drawn to and in complete awe of your work! Beautiful as always and can't wait to see more!!

chrissie said...

Wonderful work Astrid and great to see so many familiar faces on the photographs. Thank you for sharing then

Love Chrissie xx

Jenny Marples said...

Looks like you had so much fun and added to your already incredible array of talent. It is a beautiful canvas and I look forward to seeing even more. Great to see you all too. Thanks for sharing, hugs Jenny x

Annie said...

Fabulous canvas Astrid and looks like a great time was had too. Look forward to seeing more.

Crafty hugs
Annie x

Paula Whittaker said...

what a wonderful piece of art - look forward to seeing and hearing more about this wonderful weekend.

Almo said...

Hi Astrid, Your canvas is fabulous glad you had such a lovely time. Hugs Mo x

Aquarius said...

I can see by the group photos that you all had a wonderful time and it is so good to meet up and work alongside like-minded folk. That canvas is beautiful with so much interesting and textural detail.

Stamps and Paper said...

Fabulous work Astrid and looks like you all had great fun with stunning results

Anne

Maryann Laursen said...

it sure looks like, you all had an amazing time there and your work is definitely really amazing and looks soo fantastic as always. Boy I would´ve loved to try such a class some day too, both for all I could learn, but also for all the fun it seems to be.

Marianne said...

What an amazing canvas. Awesome photo's of the make and from the workshop. Thanks for sharing!!
xxx Marianne

Redanne said...

Gorgeous work Astrid, thanks for showing the close-ups too - a truly stunning canvas! Love the photos and I think I can see Neet in the background of the last one. Looks like you all had a fabulous time. Hugs, Anne x

Heather Jacob said...

fantabulous ... great post Astrid, lots of yumminess and rich in design ... love this post x

Rita said...

Hello Astrid. Looks as if you all had a fantastic tome and your creation looks so beautiful. I cannot wait till till I meet up with Anna in October. Looking forward to seeing more. Have a lovely Day. Hugs Rita xxxx

Maryanne said...

Looks like you had as fabulous a time as we did in Finn's class! That project is really great and I know what you mean about keeping the picture clean! Your canvas is beautiful and I like the gold rubbed on parts.

Terry said...

So love the transformation and the details you shared! This canvas is beautiful and I don't know how you would be able to keep sprays off the photo. I have played with this technique a couple of times and want to do it again! Great photos! Hugs!

Marisa Job said...

What a gorgeous canvas!! I would have loved to take that class too. I hope she comes to California sometime in the future. You did a fantastic job!!!

Caroline said...

Wowzers!!! Absolutely stunning, in total awe of your canvas (how brave to paint a whole area in black?!)
The head gear & all your us of texture & embellished is just incredible!!
I can only dream of achieving such an amazing piece of art!! :))

Meggymay said...

Stunning creation, loved the embellishments and colours. Looks like you all had the most fantastic creative weekend.
Yvonne x

Dorthe said...

Fantastic piece Astrid,- I love how you show,-the colours are slowly changing to those pale turquise and black / grey!! so many amazing elements, and a gorgeous art work !! The texture in the background fabrics are great, and ofcourse I also sigh highly over all the elements you had to play with, :-)
It must have been like a dream attending this workshop and seing all those other bloggers, in real life !!
Hugs and september kiss
Dorthe

Margaret Mifsud said...

What a beautiful piece Astrid!! You sound like you had so much fun it must have been a great experience. I love what you've created here. Very much a Finn inspired piece but it still has that Astrid magic going for it. Absolutely gorgeous!!! ox

Ellie Knol said...

Gorgeous! I've been following Finnabair on her Art Journey for a while now, and my fingers are itching. How did you manage to keep that photograph that clean? Cover it up when spraying?

Kathryn said...

Looks like you had a fabby time :) your project is marvellous xx

froebelsternchen said...

what a great piece did you make with Fin?! and the images show how great this event must have been!
Thank you for the photographs Astrid!

Unknown said...

Hello Astrid

Well what an amazing time you all seemed to have, love the photos thanks for sharing them with us.

The canvas you have created is a step away from your usual style and you have pulled it off really well it has loads of interest which is lovely. I think it is nice when you do something away from the norm for yourself. At least I enjoy it.

What's it like being back at work? :)

Crafty Hugs
Heather xx

Ros Crawford said...

Oh my ... what a wonderful piece of art you created ... I can see you had a blast and I love your photos!

Lucy Edmondson said...

Your canvas is amazing, Astrid! Looks like you met some lovely friends, and I bet they were delighted to meet you too!

Lucy x

Anonymous said...

It was so lovely to meet you Astrid, we all had such a wonderful, fun weekend, didn't we?!
Your project is beautiful...I love the head-gear! Very creative!
Hope we meet again,
Alison xxx

Rossella said...

Hi Astrid, this is wonderful, clearly you have had a great time,
Rosie x

May said...

Fabulous canvas Astrid... WOW What a fabulous day.. it looked like so much fun.. Great to meet the lovely girls from blogland....Hugs May x x x

Anonymous said...

I could be at a loss for words!
When I see a creation such as this I have to wonder to myself why I even bother to craft because this is a level I could only ever dream of achieving.
Astrid this is spectacular. The image you selected, her astonishing headgear, can you tell I am blown away by this?
Wishes
Lynne

Minxy said...

Was lovely to meet you in person xo Had the best weekend, love your canvas xo

Von said...

It was so nice to meet you Astrid :)and a fabulous canvas :)
Von ♥

Brenda Brown said...

Lovely canvas, I just loved your artsy take on things, you are do inspiring. Thanks or sharing the photos.
hugs {brenda} x0x

Elaine said...

It was great to meet you Astrid, albeit for a few moments here and there. I loved your canvas, the radiating head gear and jewelled eye piece was inspired. Your step by step pics do help me remember the process too. It really was a great weekend, I hope to get my efforts blogged soon. Elaine x

craftimamma said...

You put me to shame Astrid. Not only have you got lots of lovely photos when I barely took any but you did a days work and then managed to blog them! Thanks for sharing pics of what was a fabulous time. I spent the weekend with my mouth open in awe of the wonderful creations, not only Finn's but people like yourself! I found the canvas the most difficult piece to do but still enjoyed it immensely. Yours is stunning, as your work always is! Hope to blog mine in the next few days.

It was lovely to meet you at last and spend a little time with you.

Hugs
Lesley Xx

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW Astrid, that canvas is a breathtaking art work, I'm completely in awe. Alle the elements and wonderful color combination, all fits perfect together.
Hugs Anja

Kelly said...

Oh I am so envious! Finnabair and Butterfly (Alison) in one crafting adventure!! You are one lucky lady! Thanks for the photos, I love your work! Fabulous job with the canvas, it is phenomenal! You have very nice memories created here. So happy for you.'
Hugs Kelly

Anonymous said...

Exquisite!

Dianne said...

HOOT HOOT HOOT, I looooooove this post and everything in it, I'm so excited I can hardly type :O) Well this would have been a dream workshop for me,all your FABULOUS artist in one room AMAZING, your canvas is FINTASTIC, love the head gear...... Thanks a million for sharing all your fabulous art and the photos of all the lovely artist I knew it was going to be the BOMB*****

Shirley said...

Cool, looks super futuristic Astrid. Love all the girls pics what a fabulous time you must have had.

Crafty hugs from Shirl x x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

WOW...so beautiful! Lucky you!!!

Suzi B said...

thank you for sharing the photos of your fabulous weekend. It's lovely to put faces to names I know so well.
Suzi B xx

Sandie said...

Amazing, and I love her head-dress ... so totally jealous wish I could have come too .. loved seeing all the photographs....

Words and Pictures said...

Wow - your canvas really is amazing, with that futuristic Metropolis style headpiece - lovely to see it again. And with time to focus properly on it rather than worrying about what's going on with mine at the same time!! Lovely photos from a lovely weekend...
Alison xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Fabulous! It's such fun to see so many familiar faces... Anna's classes are absolutely magical, aren't they? I love your spin on the canvas class. That headgear is fabulous!

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