I love relics and artifacts and I see this coming up in some of my recent works of art. I created "Making of a Philosopher King" that started with some hand textured papers and a piece of found rusted metal that was found on a walk.
I will say that some pieces just come together while some have their challenges. This piece I found the latter to be the case, but in the end I like where it ended up.
My textured paper was started on a 90 lb watercolor paper that was initially textured with gesso. I then applied color with Paper Artsy Fresco Finish in Steel Grey, Mud Splat and Venice Blue, Golden's Payne's Grey and Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold. I then distressed areas with StazOn in Stone Grey and Ranger Archival Ink in Potting Soil.
I knew I wanted to use this awesome piece of rusted metal that my daughter found while out walking her dog, which I attached to a piece of vintage paper which was treated with Seth Apter's and Emerald Creek's embossing powder in Vintage Beeswax, and some Amate paper behind the metal piece to bring out the metal. This was then attached to an old vintage cloth book cover in a mustard-like color.
Next came more laying out with another vintage book cover that accidentally ripped. I kind of liked this "one of many happy little accidents" that happened with this piece so I just went with it.
I started "orchestrating" other key pieces such as one of the relic's from Sandra Evertson's "Persona" amazing collection and two mixed media sticks along the two sides, which were sewn onto the book cover and watercolor paper.
I felt something was needed in the rust piece even more ( I am never satisfied that easily):))) so added a rusted star and a turquoise bead.
Adding in some depth...
and along the top to add another element I added a spine from an old book that I sewed 3 X's on it.
This piece is finalized adhered to a cradled wood panel.
Like I said I had a lot of challenges along the way but those challenges were worth every moment!
