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Saturday 18 January 2020

Rusted Hope






Hello all and welcome.  I've been sorting papers for my taxes as well as starting a new theatre job, so time has been a little on the short side.  But when you're procrastinating over actually filling out the tax return, the craft table is a pretty good place to hide!

I'm still in an ageing/weathering/distressing/decaying sort of a mood, prompted I'm sure by this month's We're All Getting Older! challenge which I'm hosting at A Vintage Journey.  I'm looking for projects using techniques and products to make something new look old.

Yesterday, I shared some of the how-to details for my aged parchment tags over at the Vintage Journey blog, and today I'm here at Words and Pictures with a project full of crackled, rusted decay - so there's a whole different batch of ageing techniques and products on show.











In other words, stick around for lots more inspiration for the challenge - you still have nearly three weeks to play (it's a long challenge month this time around), so there's plenty of time to do some ageing, weathering, distressing or decaying of your own.

I was also inspired by the Rust It Up theme at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, and a new die which had just arrived.  And this jumbo MDF tag also plays another line of Tic Tac Toe at the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog - this time on the diagonal with Die Cuts, Sentiment, Heat Embossing.

This is one of those creations which looks quite different when the sunlight hits it and when it's in less direct light, so forgive me for having two main photos!











It's a tag which carries ideas from deep inside.  I wasn't really conscious of them as I was making it, but I can "read" them pretty clearly now it's here!

There's a lot of rusted decay going on...












... as well as worn and weathered crackle.  It all linked in my imagination with the damage we are doing to the planet and each other.

There seems to be something badly broken in mankind's relationship with the natural world around him.  We seem to have reached a point where disaster and decay is almost inevitable.










But somewhere underneath it all, there has to be the hope of regrowth, of beauty and harmony somehow finding a way to survive and flourish again.

Otherwise, without hope, we might as well just give up now.










I started with a large MDF tag (8 x 4 inches) and gave it a rough coat of white chalk paint.  It really was very rough - I wanted as worn a look as possible (reflecting my general exhaustion with all the bad news around at the moment).

Over that I scraped some DecoArt Media Crackle Paint.  I'm at the bottom of a pot, so it's dried out a bit - it's more the texture of the Crackle Paste these days, but you still get a great crackle effect from it.











I used Distress Crayons in Pumice Stone and Walnut Stain to add some shadows and grime.  It also highlights the cracks nicely!

Some of the flakes flaked right off which gives it an even more weathered look.














I painted on washes of DecoArt Media Fluid Acrylics - Payne's Grey, Raw Umber and Quinacridone Gold - to add some rusted decay in various places around the edges, or where the crackle was thickest in the middle.













While I was happy with a few flaked flakes, I didn't want too many to go, so I gave the whole thing a coat of Ultra Matte Varnish to keep it all in place.














My other main rusted element is some chicken wire, courtesy of a fabulous new die by Tim Holtz and lots of powder and paint.
















There's some of Seth Apter's Chunky Rust Baked Texture powder as a first layer.  That gives lots of rusty texture as well as colour.














Then I used some more of the Media Fluid Acrylics to get the exact shades of rusted decay that I wanted (a little darker and more ominous than the cheery orange red tones of the powder).











I broke the die-cut apart so that my chicken wire could trail a little further across the tag.

And with the addition of the Idea-ology word plaque, I was able to separate the chicken wire pieces even further, and started layering up some cogs and gears - the technology and machinery we continue to use without fully considering its impact on the Earth.












It was all looking a bit bleak at this point, and I felt an urgent need for some greenery to lighten the mood.  Rubber Dance's Weed Love to the rescue...

... but the tendrils and vines are so delicate that they were barely noticeable until you got close up, so I decided to give them a bit more presence by painting on some flower heads.











I began by using Stormy Sky Oxide - knowing I could wipe it away with water if I hated the look.  But I didn't hate it at all... quite the opposite!














So I decided to be bolder and added in some Fresco paints to the floral action - Lavender and Wisteria, but both mixed with the Stormy Sky which was still on the craft mat.














And of course I added some spatter with the leftover paints once I was done.














I really like the delicate flowers contrasting with the decayed metal.

















They  share a similar spidery fragility, but a web of decaying wire which will eventually rust away to nothing is very different from a web of tangled stems and tendrils getting stronger by the day.















Despite the decay everywhere, the plants are finding a way around it, fighting for survival. 














The lettering of the Quote Band has been filled with Picket Fence Distress Crayon and I burnished the top with Sepia Archival, applied direct from the ink pad.







The ink gives a warm rusty tone to match everything else that's going on.  The original silvery pewter wouldn't have worked.














Some actual rusty wire holds the plaque in place.  (There's some padded tape and glue helping out too.)














(Just a quick warning courtesy of the lovely Bleubeard and Elizabeth... when working with real rust it's advisable to wear gloves.  You don't want it getting into the bloodstream.)












I thought about rusting up the gears too, but in the end I decided that might upstage the chicken wire.  They are already a good coppery colour, so I left them alone.














Some more rusty wire is tangled around the top of the tag, and that's about that.




















Things have been a bit sluggish at the craft table lately.  Even when I have found time, there have been a lot of unsatisfactory tag backgrounds ending up in the bin - so I'm very happy that this creation made its way to the end without mishap.






















I really love the decaying weathered crackle...

















... the tendrils twining behind the rusted chicken wire trellis...















... the textural details of the rusty elements...















... the tiny flower heads emerging from the decay...
















... the grime and the grunge...












... and those hidden stories and ideas which emerge from the subconscious and arrive on the craft table in front of you - unbidden, unplanned, but perhaps all the more powerful because of that.















I really hope you like the tag, and I hope there are some more ideas there which might send you off to your craft table to create something aged, weathered and distressed for the We're All Getting Older! challenge at A Vintage Journey this month.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I'll see you again soon.  Have a great weekend, everyone.

In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it.
Ernst Fischer











I'm playing the diagonal Tic Tac Toe line of Die Cuts, Sentiment, Heat Embossing for the Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog
I'd like to play along at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge where they want us to Rust It Up
I'd also like to share this at the Bleeding Art Challenge where it's Anything Mixed Media Goes, as always

38 comments:

Helen said...

I love the contrast of the beautiful flower heads (fabulous colour you've mixed!) with the rusty elements on this tag. What a great way to avoid your tax return!

Meggymay said...

Awesome aged and rusty techniques Alison, the textures are amazing as well.
Enjoy your crafting it sounds a much better way to spend your time than filling in forms.
Yvonne xx

Craftyfield said...

I simply love this tag… the rust and crackle are gorgeous and the new die is perfect for that decayed look. The Rubber Dance weed look beautiful and you did well with the painting, as they are so small. Have a great weekend! x

Dortesjs said...

Waue, I always love your arty works, thanks, and thanks for showing

Nan G said...

You’re in your element with rusting techniques Alison! Cool new die and the rust effect is fab on such a skinny die cut. But oh, I do love those tendrils of green with bits of lavender-ish buds. Hugs

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful tag, love all the ageing and rusting elements you used. At my age I find am am ageing and rusting naturally without even wanting it! Have a peaceful weekend, hugs, Valerie

My name is Erika. said...

This tag has me practically drooling with delight Alison. The peeled paint look, the rusted look. Some hexagons. Wow. This is gorgeous. A much enjoyed post. Hugs-Erika

Mary said...

Your work is gorgeous. A piece of art for sure. Thank you for the great description of your process.

Chrissy said...

Really fantastic aging techniques Alison, I love the crackle and rust and the speckles of blue and green are beauiful peeking throuhg, especially the blue, what a pretty colour.

Luv CHRISSYxx

Lagene said...

AWESOME rusty tag, thanks for sharing the process!

craftytrog said...

Love those colours and textures Alison! Great tag!

Loisschimpf said...

Thank you for sharing this incredible piece! Seeing the beautiful tendrils of enduring plant-life was an "Ah ha!" moment--It's absolutely what's needed to offset the "darkness" of rust and decay, in such a creation!

Redanne said...

Good luck with the tax return, I am so glad those days are over for me!

Your tag is simply gorgeous, definitely my new favourite of your work, it doesn't just look beautiful, it also speaks volumes. Decay and rust can so easily overpower but I also see hope and light in those wonderful tendrils you added... quite stunning! Anne xx

Amanda said...

Just love the worn and weathered look of this with the growth speaking out from amongst it all. A beautiful tag and so symbolic when you appreciate your thought process of the making of.
Love
Amanda x

Christine Alexander said...

love the tag, the rusty effect is awesome. Perfect mix of industrial and garden :)

Sue said...

This is absolutely gorgeous Alison! What a fabulous die, it really does look like rusty wire, and the crackle is just perfect. Good luck with the tax return, and have a very happy week, Sue xx

Patty O'Malley said...

I love tags so much, and this one is beautiful!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Anything rusty is good for me. Great texture on the dies cut piece too, very effective use of it. The little flowers are a lovely finishing touch too. Have a lovely crafty week, Angela xXx

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, such a beautiful design! I love how you weathered the tag with the crackle texture and rusty pieces, and those tiny flowers look so delicate - perfect 😁. I hope you had a lovely weekend and wishing you a wonderful week too! Hugs, Jo x

suzyb said...

Wow that "chicken wire" is awesome. It's amazing what one can do with inks and paint and embossing goodness. Love the flowers in the background, I love every bit of this piece Alison. Thank you for sharing your amazing art with us!!! Love your work.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful.

den lille lade said...

Dear Alison, Oh I would have sworn, it was the real chicken wire , you are such an amazing artist , this is stunning, and your thoughts and observations, behind your art piece, - yes devastating but also beautiful, and with hope .So love this . xoxoxoxo Dorthe

Mac Mable said...

Wonderful tag Alison and tons of inspiration. I so love the delicacy of those pretty flowers and how well they go with the rust and decaying elements. Great colours, texture and aging....Thank you x.

froebelsternchen said...

Simply gorgeous Alison!
Hugs, Susi

Margaret Mifsud said...

What a stunning piece of art work Alison! The background is awesome .. the delicate flowers contrasting beautifully with the rust and crackle .. and I honestly thought the chicken wire was the real thing! Love this so much! hugs x

Fliss said...

Such a stunning crackly background Alison and you've really created the look of an ageing area. Such amazing details and lovely to see how nature wins through as it always does in the end.
Fliss xx

Neet said...

Yes, the two photos do portray the tag in different lights (no pun).
I love your background, the crackle is wonderful and the chicken wire - I must have this die.
You always weave a story around the procedure you do to achieve the beauty at the end and I love how you have said the plants are finding a way around the decaying wire- sheer poetry. I would never have thought of using such pretty delicate flowers with something like this but it works - beautiful as always and so inspiring.
Hugs & Thanks, Neet xx

sarascloset said...

This is a magnificent tag with so much emotion behind it's making, albeit subconsciously. It's weathered surface is so realistic and the delicate flowers offer a stunning contrast. Just lovely in every way! Thanks so much for sharing it with us at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.Hugs! Sara Emily

PS My apologies for not getting around regularly. I just can't seem to catch up, and now I have this nasty but going around that keeps me in bed much of the day.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm not sure you will see this, dear Alison, but as you saw on my blog, I was sick for nearly a week, or I would have been here sooner.

I get excited when I see rust, and was delighted you pointed out to use gloves when working with real rust. However, the real magic of this tag is the story you have provided to go with the incredible images. Your words are as colorful, exacting, and poignant as your art. This is one spectacular rusty tag. Gotta love that chicken wire die and Seth's rust EP, too. I was amazed at how you darkened the rust EP and die cut, too. This is a stunning tag, dear.

Meihsia Liu said...

Your tag is gorgeous, Alison. The texture on the background and the rusty gear embellishments are fantastic! Love your stunning design! <3

Judy McKay said...

Love your tag especially the design and texture. Thank you for joining us at Bleeding Art this month. Judy dt

Suzanne C said...

Alison this aging decaying details are so beautiful on this tag! I keep looking at this and thinking a seahorse under the sea! I think the beautiful rusted area is the seahorse. :) Thanks for joining the "Let's Play Tic Tac Toe" at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Challenge again!

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh wow! When I first saw this tag, I just felt at home. This looks like this piece was something that you found in the outdoors pic. Growing up, we didn't have a lot of money. My dad repurposed everything. He was an amazing problem solver. He was always collecting metal pieces thrown away at his place of employment and reusing them around outside for different projects. Inevitably, the elements would wear away on these pieces and spring would find new growth all around them. So this tag looks like home. It's amazing what we see. The acrylic washes on the crackled background are the piece-de-resistance for me. Unbelievable rusty effect! Love it! And don't get me started on the rust application to the broken up chicken wire on this ... seriously so real! It looks like the fencing we had at my house. I love the length you created by separating die cut. As I said, all of this looks so real. But it is the delicate weed growth around the rusty bits that makes this feel like home. I amazed where your creativity took you this day. -- Mary Elizabeth

Mrs.B said...

Stunning background Alison, love the contrast of crackle and rust with those delicate flowers.
Avril xx

Etsuko said...

Amazing rusty technique above the crack and great design. This tag is simply beautiful. Love it!! xx

Paper Profusion said...

Beautiful post and creation Alison! Oh "I hear ya" and concur totally. So glad you added those pretty little blooms, they add just the right amount of hope as well as artistry. Brilliant aging, layers and effects as always. Nicola x

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

A beautiful read and walk through Alison. It's a sorry state of affairs what's happening in the world and sadness across the land. So pleased to see those sweet colours, doesn't the lavender and wisteria look amazing in the background, a true representation of life still flourishing amongst all that is broken. The chicken wire is amazing, I was in awe by how thin it is a new favourite favourite for me in the TH collection.
A stunning creation Alison, thank you for sharing with us all. Hugs Tracey xx

Stephanie Eaton said...

Just beautiful!! Thanks for joining us on the Bleeding Art Challenge!