I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Friday 9 January 2015

Go West, Young Man!



Hello everyone... 2015 is already flying!  It's time for a new challenge at A Vintage Journey, and our lovely host S@ndy would like us all to Use A Portrait.

Check out the challenge details, the fantastic inspiration from my team-mates, as well as our Travelling Instructions and you could be in with a chance at the prize voucher, generously sponsored by Country View Crafts.

Here's my offering for you... a panel commemorating this bold young man and his ambitious journey westwards in search of fame and fortune.

I think he probably started out on this side of the Atlantic, and headed off in search of the promise of a new life and new hope in the Americas.

Thankfully, one can achieve the journey in a few short hours these days.  I can only imagine what it was like to travel for weeks and months, uncertain of your fate, not knowing what awaited if you were lucky enough to cross the ocean safely.



But there's determination as well as trepidation in those eyes... I like to think he made it, and made something of himself once he got there too.





I went on a bit of a journey myself on this project, started several different possibilities, and eventually landed up with one of my much-loved papier-mache icons.

Even this had a false start, and I ended up covering it all up with heavy gesso and starting again.  As a result the stencilled crackle and weathered paint has a real depth to it - with genuine wear and tear!












Of course, most of the front of the panel is now completely covered, so it's just as well I did my usual thing of letting the stencilled crackle spill over the sides too...












I used one of the Idea-ology Found Relatives to create my character...













... and have surrounded him with memorabilia and ephemera, mostly culled from the Expedition Ephemera pack.










The red accents on some of those ephemera encouraged me to head for the reds with my Cash Key Charm...













... and it's also echoed in this tiny Punch label in my Custom Fastener - punched through his travel ticket of course.












I can rarely resist a Word Band - this one seemed to fit the bill - and the Number Brad tells us his tender age when setting out on the adventure.  What else is a younger son to do?











I love these File Tabs, and always forget to use them. (Is that subconsciously a way to keep hoarding them, I wonder... Well, my resolution to use stash rather than hoard it won't allow for any more of that!)












The ChitChat stickers reveal the yearnings in his heart.












I added some cogs and gears, for the mechanical means of transportation - we know from the ticket that the Iron Horse was involved - which are taking this young man westward, ever westward.










I hope he found his way, and I hope you find your way to join us on A Vintage Journey this fortnight and Use A Portrait.  There's lots more inspiration from my wonderful team-mates, so don't miss that.  See you there!


Go West, young man, go West and grow up with the country.
Usually attributed to either Horace Greeley or John B. Soule - there seems to be some dispute!

49 comments:

massofhair said...

Am singing 'Go West' by The Pet Shop Boys in my head while reading your post lol, surreal indeed.

Fantastic Tag, your crackles are very deep and beautiful, love the pops of colour:-) xxx

Julia Aston said...

I just love all the thick crackle under all of your wonderful ephemera Alison! The touches of red really pop - your layering is awesome!

Helen said...

That's the trouble when you make a gorgeous background, you don't want to cover it up - but your young man looks ready for his adventure for sure... what a great outcome.

froebelsternchen said...

Love the vintage feel here...gorgeous Alison! Happy weekend to you!

Brenda Brown said...

Love this collaged piece Alison and the interesting story of the found relative. All the elements layer perfectly together and the images, textures and colours merge into a fabulous composition creating great movement. xxx

chrissie said...

Fantastic collection to surround the this terrific photograph Alison

Love Chrissie x

Astrid Maclean said...

Great way to use that dapper found relative Alison, and a fun story also. Love the crackled background (of course) and a wonderful collage too!

Cocofolies said...

A wonderful commemorative panel, I love your start and your background too!!! Have a lovely day Alison. xx

Flo Langley said...

Fabulous as always. xx

Shirley said...

Glad you showed us the before and after Alison because when collaging we always seem to cover up the most exciting bit with the images. Love the beautiful story which goes with an even more beautiful piece.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.this

hazel said...

An amazing piece Alison, I love all the elements and how you've put them together.
Happy New Year/
xxx Hazel.

Ruth said...

Well I love texture and so glad it spilled over to be seen on this gorgeous creation, love the pops of red and splatters of white, another beautiful piece........I wonder if he met Jenny's man? Ruth x

Deborah said...

Or he might be heading to Deadwood to find his fortune in gold (I'm currently watching - and loving - the Deadwood box set). Either way, it's a wonderful portrait panel.

maria's knutselplezier said...

Again a beautiful nostalgique card , I love it great details!!!

Greatings
Maria

Pamellia said...

Fabulous Alison! Don't ya just hate when you spend so much time working on a background then you end up covering it up with all kinds of stuff!! HA, I'm soooo guilty of that! Well your 'stuff' looks amazing and I love the found relative pic you used! Until next time, hugs and smiles :)

Gitte said...

Wow beautiful.

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Lovely details make this tag so complete...great browns and I love that touch of red, Alison!
greetings, Alie :-)

Jackie PN said...

and there is of course the song by Genesis-"Deep in the Motherlode" the lyrics- go west young man...
Fab piece Alison! I love the vintage and steampunk feel- you have put this together to look like it was a well aged and weathered piece all along- Beautiful! xo

Juliz Design Post said...

A very sophisticated looking project Alison that matches your gentleman and his story of travels perfectly. Love your collaging with all the ephemera and your crackle...fantastic
Julie x

Hettie said...

Fan-flippin-tastic Alison! I just love this piece. It could be Hubster's Grandfather who went to Canada to look for work and would have moved out there had it not been for his then fiance. Glad he didn't though as I would not have met Mr Hettie!
Anyhoo, going back to your piece I just love all the elements and you have reminded me that I have some metal file tabs and like you forget to use them.
Brilliant! You get the gold star today from me!
Hugs
xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This is AWESOME!!! LOVE the texture and the numbers on the front, and all the layered travel ephemera is wonderful! Fabulous!!!

Meggymay said...

Fabulous project, the base textures are awesome. Loved the story behind the handsome chap, I think he reached his destination as well.
Yvonne x

Dorthe said...

Alison, totally wonderful, your background with all the crackle ,YUM- and the ephemera used, creates a wonderful story for this handsome guy !! About the file tabs, I`m sure I would have hoarded them, and saved them if I had any here, lol !! Love your fine splatter ,too !!
Hugs,Dorthe

Silvia(Barnie) said...

That's a gorgeous creation, fabulous details.

Unknown said...

Alison, this is wonderful!! You are 'queen of crackle'!! :) I love your crackle backgrounds and this is no exception :) This gentleman looks full of personality and the backstory you gave him, fits this entire creation beautifully! Love those pops of red, too :) I'm playing catch-up and I know I haven't been by for a while now--but I'm here, always looking and reading and drooling over your creations :) XOXO-Shari

Scrapintheattic.com said...

Hi Alison, love the story. He is one of my favourite Found Relatives. The project is amazing, I love all the details x

Redanne said...

It is a shame that you had to cover it up but you did it so beautifully! The red accents are a wonderful touch.. Anne xx

Kay Wallace said...

This is a beautiful panel, Alison, and perfect for a portrait challenge. You have definitely supported the age of your portrait by the vintage color palette and elements. Well constructed and I love it!

Paper Profusion said...

What a dandy!! Bet he hit the jackpot out there! This is a brilliant panel Alison and you have used the perfect selection of Tim ephemera and metal. It all looks fabulous together with wonderful layering. Happy weekend. Nicola x

Lynne Moncrieff said...

I agree with Nicola, what a dandy he is!!!!
That pop of red against the neutrals is amazing. There is so much of interest on this panel .... love it!
Wishes
Lynne

Jennie Atkinson said...

Yes what a Dandy! Such a beautiful piece Alison - the background was fabulous before anything was put on it! The details are however stunning - where do I start! They are all my favourites! Love it! Jennie x

PS Sorry for late comment - we have had power cuts all day!

Unknown said...

Love the panel, and all those lush metal trinkets on there work so beautifully with your story and and him xx

Jenny Marples said...

I am sure Gordon H. Booth would have employed this young man in a heartbeat! Doesn't all that wonderful ephemera sit beautifully on the crackle base. Jenny x

Meihsia Liu said...

Such a gorgeous creation and great story, Alison. Love every beautiful details of it. :)

Kelly said...

You have captured the Vintage traveling theme perfectly! I love all the elements you put on here they are so perfect and fun too. Happy New Years.
Kelly

Lys said...

I always love your stories Alison! What a great journey in time with this creation !

sam21ski said...

This is fabulous Alison, so much to look at xx

craftytrog said...

Fantastic!!! x

Deb said...

There is not one single thing that I do not LOVE about your panel Alison, it is wonderful!

Sue said...

This is fabulous Alison, I love the splash of red with your embellishment, but I don't know how you can bear to cover those lovely crackled numbers up. Enjoy your weekend xx

Jools Robertson said...

Love your travelling gentleman, embarking on his adventure
The stunning background crackle and all those fabulous layers of travelling paraphernalia highlighted so beautifully with the red

Jools x

cathylynn said...

You are blazing with talent! This is one fabulous canvas! You are also a gifted story teller too. Is there anything you can''t do? Love it all!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

pearshapedcrafting said...

Love that crackle - and such a lovely place you found for your young man! Chrisx

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic project Alison! Love all the distressing and embellishments! Thanks for the inspiration!

sarascloset said...

Love that mouthwatering background, and I'm so glad you shared that. All the ephemera you chose is perfectly fitting for the portrait of this handsome traveler. Oh, if I were 100 years older! The story is fabulous, and I have to say, my favorite part, if I had to choose! Great work of art and inspiration!

Anjas-Artefaktotum said...

WOW what a breathtaking composition, I'm really excited.
Hugs Anja

S@ndy Diller said...

Alison, this is wonderful as usual. I always love the way you can use color. Just lovely. Thanks for your participation in this challenge - you are a great team mate.

Kasia said...

Love it! Amazing creation, Alison!

Kezzy said...

Wow super vintage delight, I really love the real feel of vintage with all the old type embellishments especially with the pop of red. The background is gorgeous as always. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx