Cheating with Stencils: Abstract 5x7 Shapes

Received an email giving their opinions on my art that using stencils was cheating. I should learn how to create art without them. They were also of the opinion that abstract art is not art. I don't think using stencils is cheating and Abstract art is my favorite. I use stencils for mark making, texture, and the designs add to my paintings not the opposite and yes, I do create art without them too.

Today's Abstract painting is created entirely with stencils. It's one of my favorite paintings and it was created on a 5x7 wood panel that was actually on sale in my local arts and craft store. I love creating on wood but it can be expensive. Stores that carry those wooden signs with quotes go on sale and I find some for $2 to $4 in all sizes and I just paint right over them.

I started this by painting over the sign with black gesso by The Crafters Workshop (TCW). To add texture I used TCW Matte Gel Medium and added tissue paper and some painted deli paper to the wood panel.  I also added a few pieces of paper towel.

I let it dry over night and then I added more yellow, orange, and black acrylic paint.

Now I could paint my own shapes on this or use some other items to make some marks but I used the Shapes stencil (TCW762) by The Crafters Workshop.  I started by adding the shapes in the same yellow and orange paint and then started using black.

To finish it I added my scribble. I love to add scribbles or sometimes it's hard to read word but this one is just a scribble.

I use stencils for 75% of my art and I don't think it's cheating using them. There are many artists who do use them. I love hearing others' opinions about art whether its mine or others. This email wasn't very friendly towards the end but everyone has their opinions. I have mine too.

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read this post.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Butterflies 2: Mixed Media Canvas

Sometimes creating art and blogging don't mix. I'm creating lots of art but I don't have pictures of my process so I feel like I shouldn't share it. I know...share it anyway.  But today's post I have a few pictures of my process YAY!!!

   

I started this piece using a 12"x 12" cradled wood panel. Almost all my art starts with painting the substrate black. I love the way the colors pop off black so that why I start this way. This piece I painted over the black with green, white, and yellow. The globe is from a napkin and the hot air balloon is a stamp on tissue paper I found in my stash. The bottom is a mixed of book pages, music paper, tape, and scrap paper.  

I used The Crafters Workshop (TCW) Matte Gel Medium to adhere all the bits and pieces of paper. All the other marks were created by using TCW stencils: Ornate Border TCW785 and Distressed Details TCW754.

In the photo below the paint was dry and I started adding rub-ons. I believe they are from Tim Holtz but I don't keep any of my packaging so I'm not sure. I also added more yellow paint and my favorite color, black. I love the darkness and looking up to the top of the canvas to the light.

With the addition of black paint I decided to add more from the Ornate Borders stencil and added more rub-ons.  If you notice I used all the words from the rub-on page. I love to do that although its expensive having to buy them all over again.  I also use TCW gel medium over the rub-ons so they stay on permanently.  The butterflies are from my stash.

Here is the finished piece again. The only change I'm going to make is to add shadows to the butterfly wings.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop and read to the end of this post. I truly appreciate it. If you have any questions, please leave me a comment.