Believe in Yourself: Mixed Media Artist Palette

You know how your brain can tease you with creating something fabulous?? Well, lots of different scenarios happened to get this piece out of my head and into something tangible.

First, I was greatly inspired by Ola Kohmenok at Mixed Media Place. I just loved the idea of using a paint palette. Secondly, More Than Words had a challenge last month with "costume/masks and black background". Although I'm too late to enter, I still loved the idea.

Finally, a very good friend of mine spent months planning her daughter's Quinceañera and I happily went having a grand time with friends. Everyone was lovely and the tradition behind the event was a tear-jerker. Anyway, I told my friend that I really wanted to make a piece featuring her daughter and to "give" me a photo. It wasn't quite an arm wrestling match but I almost didn't give her a choice, because my inner creative side was desperate to come out. She understood as she's an artist as well.

Without further ado, here is the piece. I hope it inspires you. I will say I made this with a purpose. I used the colors of the Quinceañera along with adding touches of embellishments that were specific to this event. Thanks for stopping by today!!!

P.S. I really miss my light box. Supplies listed below.

I layered the piece with moulds, metallic trimmings, chipboard and stenciling. I then covered it all with black gesso, followed by white gesso. Doing that can really create a wonderful contrast with your colors, even if you are using the same set.

The colors of the Quinceañera were orange and purple, matching the Mexican holiday 

"Day of the Dead". I couldn't quite make this palette gothic, as I wanted to focus 

on the daughter's feminine side.

One of the reasons I was insisting on a paint palette was that both daughter and mother are artists. It's definitely a more interesting background than a rectangle.

Her mother picked out the title, knowing her daughter's growth thru the teenage years.

I used a number stencil to bring in the significance of the 15th birthday.

The wings, crown, paintbrushes, butterfly, flowers and even the chipboard dress mannequin were about the daughter. I wanted to add shoes and a ring, but alas, those pieces aren't in my stash. I have a car-lovin' son, so no barbie shoes here.

I know many blog posts discuss "how" they actually made something. In the end, it's all about layers and having fun with the color scheme. You almost can't go wrong.

Thank you!!

Supplies:

Wooden artist palette

Black gesso
White gesso
White Acrylic Paint

Old paint brushes

49 and Market Salmon flowers
Graphic 45 French Lilac and Purple Royalty

Finnabair Colors:
Blackberry
Metallique Plum Preserves
Sparks Ginger Magic

Finnabair Other:
Moulds
Melange Art Pebbles
Art Stones
Texture paste - graphite
Heavy Body Gel
Soft Gloss Gel
Wax - Old Silver

Gilding Flakes - Aurora Lights

Tim Holtz Quote Chips

Lindy's Stamp Gang:
Fuzzy Navel Peach

Textured stencils

Creative Embellishments Chipboard