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...

Thursday 12 December 2019

Soar too high

Hello all, I'm here with an entry for this month's theme at Art Journal Journey.  The fabulous Yvonne, a.k.a. Meggymay, is looking for Words and Numbers.  I thought I would have joined in before now, and had hoped to get quite a few pages done (as I did last December), but it hasn't quite gone according to plan.  But I'm here with my first page earlier in the month than I've usually managed this year.


I promised myself I'd manage at least one page per month for AJJ in 2019, and I've stuck to that, even though it has only been one each time.  But I'm going to try and finish with a flourish.  With a theme like this, hopefully I'll manage a couple more before December is over.  It's not like there's anything else to keep me busy!







Today's page is done in the same kraft journal as all of last December's twelve pages, and shares quite a few features with them, but it's not strictly seasonal, as all of those definitely were.

I started out with some wide tissue tape strips... already getting some words into play as you can see.















I used a palette knife to smear on gesso and then some of Dina Wakley's Medieval paint (a Black Friday purchase).















It's a wonderful metallic pewter colour with a fabulous sheen.

I spattered the leftover silvery paint along with some Snowflake Fresco paint...















... and that was the background done and ready to play.













The next task was to flick through the seasonal Paper Dolls to see if anyone wanted to come out to play.

As soon as I tried this dapper chap in his opulent furs against the background, I knew he was the one.  But there was something just a bit too cocky about him for this to be a straightforward celebration.














I found myself reaching for the portrait of the older man (I think it may be from the Regions Beyond paper stash) - his father or grandfather, perhaps.  Somebody who built a company up from the ground through sheer hard work...















... leaving this chap in the financially advantageous position he is today.  But not having had to work hard for his wealth, he's been squandering it on expensive clothes, fast cars and high living.  What will there be left to pass on to his son in the end?














I think the stamped numbers and scribbled words I added must be from those early days of the hard-working grandfather - coming up with ideas, working hard and investing wisely, treating his workforce well in order to build the company.

They're stamped in Watering Can Archival to tone in with the Medieval Pewter in the background.












But the tangled thread weaving around the figures and notations shows the chaos that our current managing director has been creating in the company by letting things drift, preferring to spend his time on wild parties and long holidays.












The raven is perhaps an ominous sign of trouble ahead.  (He was left over from my Sunrise, Sunset book cover... no room for him there, so he's been hovering around the craft table, and now he's here to cause trouble.)












The words are from my PaperArtsy EAB11 Wings & Flight set, stamped in Archival and embossed with my favourite Liquid Platinum powder.













He's been soaring high on the proceeds of his grandfather's and father's work, rather than on his own hard graft.  If you've done the work, built the wing muscle, you can soar as high as you like, but otherwise...













Hopefully he'll heed the warning of the raven's arrival and turn things around before it's too late.  He needs to think of his son and what he'll be passing on.

(I like how the Liquid Platinum gives us another metallic gleam to echo the paint in the background.)













There are letters and numbers, scientific formulae perhaps related to the work his grandfather did all those years ago, built in to the tissue tape shadow our current chap is standing on...












... and there's a film strip running through the whole spread - maybe another sign of the glamorous life he's been leading...













... or perhaps a reminder that things are being recorded and remembered for posterity, another nudge for him to turn his attention to his legacy.












This, after all, is the time of year for miraculous transformations (I'm looking at you, Ebenezer Scrooge!).

Time to review, refresh, and reform his life for the better...  he'd better start doing some work on those accounts to make sure the numbers start adding up again!










I was quite surprised when things took the dark turn they did, but that's what often happens when I'm playing with the Paper Dolls or with the Photobooth photos, come to that.














They start to tell me stories and I just have to follow their lead.  Still, let's all hope that a Scrooge-like alteration is just around the corner and that all will be well.  Turns out the page is somewhat seasonal after all!










Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you're finding a bit of crafting time in between the Christmas preparations - or at least a bit of time to put your feet up occasionally.  See you again soon, either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

It is our own thoughts that hold the key to miraculous transformation.
Marianne Williamson

I'd like to share this in the Words and Numbers challenge at Art Journal Journey.
At Moo Mania & More they are playing Anything Goes

28 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful piece Alison, love the subdued colours and the vintage feel of the page. Beautiful work. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Elkes Lebensglück said...

a beautiful work !!!
the emergence of the individual work steps are great.
wonderful how the colors fit together!
greeting Elke

My name is Erika. said...

I like it with all those gentlemen. That background is really cool when you look at those close up photos. Nice creativity Alison. Hugs-Erika

Neet said...

First of all I must commend you non the background you created. I think that is wonderful and it has made me want to go out and buy the products, well, research them on the internet as I doubt I will find them locally.
Secondly I must say how I enjoyed the story you have woven around the characters you chose to adorn your page, well done Alison.
You have the knack for putting different bits and pieces together and them working and complimenting one another. I love the way you splash some white about, the addition of the film strip, the letter 'R', the tangled thread, the stamping and, of course, the figures you chose.
A wonderful page Alison, a lovely composition that allows the Kraft to be the frame for the main show.
Hugs, Neet xx

Cocofolies said...

Beautiful page Alison! I love your use of metallic pewter, and your words, wonderful.
Hugs, Coco xx

WendyK said...

Absolutely wonderful, I just love all your art on the kraft paper, it so suits the white, grey and black. A great inspiration, makes me want to get my pristine (of many years) journal out and have a play. I am finding this depressing weather has dampened my mojo somewhat.
Hugs Wendy

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

The tangled web of thread you used emulates and matches the tangled story you created for us. It was genius and could have only come from your incredible mind. I agree that the paper dolls bring the stories to life, sometimes as planned and sometimes not. I've noticed they can take their own twist as the spread is built up and the story unfolds. Although a bit dark, like Scrooge, there is still hope for this chap. I also believe that is what Christmas is about, too.

Your detail photos are wonderful and I am in awe of your background. This is both magical and compositionally beautiful. Thanks for sharing this with us using Yvonne's theme at Art Journal Journey. It's a genuine beauty.

craftytrog said...

A wonderful composition Alison! xx

Hazel Agnew said...

Loving the story that you have woven. All the elements blend so well together and have an authenticity to them. Xx

Chrissy said...

Fabulous Alison..I love that background it is wonderful and the pictures of the men, the bird,film strip, sentiments and the story you added is just awesome.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Amanda said...

A beautiful put together page, love it
Love
Amanda x

Astrid Maclean said...

A fabulous page with great use of those vintage images!

Meggymay said...

A gorgeous page Alison the kraft card base gives a wonderful vintage look as do all the fantastic additions and detail. The paper dolls you used added to the story your page told. I really enjoyed reading your post and the story as it built up as you shared the photos.
Thank you for linking this with my theme at Art Journal Journey, we really appreciate you joining us there.
Yvonne xx

Helen said...

what a fabulous spread! I hope to get some crafting done before long...

froebelsternchen said...

I can't write it as Neet wrote but I feel the same about your art! Simply gorgeous Alison!
Thank you so much for joining AJJ and Moo Mania & More with this rare beauty!
I wish you a Very Merry Christmastime dear friend!
Big hugs,
Susi

Craftyfield said...

I love your Vintage page and the many details you have assembled but it is the story you imagined that made me smile... such imagination, Alison! x

Let's Art Journal said...

Fabulous page and I loved reading the story that accompanied your photos, so imaginative 😁. The neutral colour palette with the Kraft background gives it a lovely vintage feel too! Wishing you a happy weekend! Hugs, Jo x

sirkkis said...

Beautiful nostalgic art journal page. Beautifully textured and a great composition.
Happy Advent time xx

maj. said...

Really loving all the effects. Great background! Love the raven!
Excellent page!

Redanne said...

I can totally see why your project took a dark turn, the dapper man was definitely a great choice and I love the addition of the film strip. I really did enjoy the story too! Anne xx

Marci said...

I love the composition in this page. Great flow, and tells such a story.

Roosterhead Designs said...

Oh my! Truly a favorite for me Alison!! It's beautifully grounded and the balance is perfect~ So unique and interesting; I love looking at it! Love this <3 Hugs, karen o

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I just love this journal of yours...the kraft calls my name and I really want to thumb through all the pages! Gorgeous layers and love the gents and wording!

suzyb said...

Perfect, love the choices of people that you chose. Love that guy in the huge coat. Really great project Alison.

Sue said...

Alison this is wonderful, from the layers and the splatters to these fabulous paper dolls, it all fits together so well. Take care and have a very happy week, Sue xx

sally said...

I always love to read the stories woven around your art pieces and this is no exception, going to have to look out for some of that paint on Dina’s too.

Merry Christmas

Sallyxx

Dorthe said...

It is beautiful dear Alison ,
the creation and your thoughts behind,- - so many whom inherit fortunes, just do like this chap, leaving nothing for the next generation, but only playing the smart guy , whom think he can buy all and everyone-
So gorgeous it is , xoxoxoxo

Mary Elizabeth said...

What a great final addition to your art journal. It's always fun to listen to the stories that your paper dolls tell. The Medieval paint Black Friday purchase is a wonderful addition to the background. I am intrigued by the presence of the string. It really does convey a bit of chaos and unraveling. Love the neutral palette. This is a favorite of mine. --ME