August 25, 2009

Is A Lovely Specimen



Here is my latest piece of art work. (If you click on the image, it will enlarge so you can see it with greater detail). I am really happy with how this turned out. I have been wanting to use a frozen Charlotte doll in my work for some time now. I have also had other found items that I wanted to incorporate into some work as well. For this piece, I knew that I wanted to use one of my dolls and this broken frame that I had found. I just didn't know how I was going to work it in all together.

When I was accepted to be part of Cassandra's design team, using her amazing digital collage pages, I was thrilled. I had already purchased several at her shop Cassi's Creations and this just helped to give me the push to do some of my own art. I love being part of a group with deadlines and challenges. It helps me to focus and have a direction to create. But when I am on my own, it's not as easy. With this design team, I was able to explore Cassandra's art and think of how I would incorporate it into my own.

Once I saw the word "Specimen" on her Custom Romantic Backgrounds sheet, my mind finally got it's wheels rolling.

The wings on my little creature are from her sheet Rusty Dreams. Once I saw them, I knew they belonged on my creature and that it would be somehow attached within the frame. I used several of these wings and cut them apart, adhering them to create a 3d layered effect. I then added a few mica flakes. I also attached this golden crown charm.

This gentleman is from the collage sheet Steampunk. There are two small specimen jars that I found at a favorite shop and I have filled them with more mica flakes, as if taken from my creatures wings.


This is an old pair of glasses that I picked up for next to nothing. For those of you that know me, I love vintage playing cards and have several listed in my own shop, RhondaMum. I usually use the front image on the card, but for this one I wanted to have the Joker because he can also be considered a fool.
Which brings me to the piece of artwork itself. When I showed it to my husband, he thought I had done a great job. But when I asked him to dissect it, to really look at each little part to find the meaning in the work, he was completely CLUELESS! Made me wonder if my "theme" was all in my head. I would love to hear your thoughts on what you think it all means.


Here is another vintage find, an old keyhole. I have old keys attached to the "specimen" as well. What do you use keys for?


This image of a camera also came from Cassandra's sheet Steampunk.

All of these words came from the sheet Custom Romantic Backgrounds, and it was this sheet that helped me to know what I wanted to create with all of my wonderful goodies. All I did was crop the sheet to show just the words, and then printed it. This made the words larger. Each word was then torn out and aged with some acid free ink. I always ink my edges. Guess it's a pet peeve of mine.



Another old find. I added this vintage clip and number. What does it mean? Don't ask my husband because he didn't know, lol.



The background is a vintage ledger page. I sell these in my shop as well.
While sorting through some of my collection, I found the perfect name. One that belonged to a doctor, hint, hint.




This background image is from a vintage check. I didn't have the heart to use the actual check, like I did the ledger page. So I made a copy of it. Some things are just too old and precious to me to use the real copy. But, it is also another hint....
So now it is your turn. Tell me what you think. I am really happy with how this turned out and am excited to continue with my adventures with my own work. A big thanks to Cassandra for continually helping me to grow as an artist and to you for taking the time to learn about my art.
May your day be joyous and creative! Be sure to visit again soon for my next creation! If you sign up to follow me you will automatically see when I've posted again so please consider doing so. Thanks!

8 comments:

Terri Gordon said...

Rhonda, this is amazing. I love all the antiques on it. It is wonderful. You are so talented.

Tristan Robin said...

This is absolutely intriguing! I'm particularly fascinated with the way you've utilized image sheet wings! - they look so "real"!

You should be very proud of this piece - it's a real keeper!

Terri said...

Oooh, this is lovley! I did click on it so I could see it better and it is wonderful! You are really amazing at your work. You have added such beautiful elements with such an aged feel. I also love all the meaning you have attached to it. It makes this piece very intriguing!
Hugs,
Terri

Becs said...

Rhonda, this is just beautiful! It is so whimsical and eclectic! The wings don't even look like paper....Love it!

Robin said...

This is absolutely gorgeous! So much detail in this piece!!

Bryanna Lenna said...

This is so cool... I love it! Frozen Charlotte has never looked better... what an awesome idea...

Becs said...

Rhonda, you make me smile!

Kathy said...

Oh Rhonda~
I love it, you know me and Charlotte!!! We go back a ways... Very nice!
~xx~