Wednesday, July 28, 2010

El Corazon

Translation:  the heart, and it's what I've called the page I just completed for Tracy's Frida Kahlo journal.
It's full of texture and rich color and my current obsession, transfers.
The packing tape transfer of Frida and the monkey allows the inked and stamped background to show through.
The three Fridas are not technically transfers.   They're stamped images on tissue adhered to the page with gel medium.  Again, because of the thinness of the paper, the background peeks through.
That's what I love most about transfers.
This Frida quote was stamped on ExtravOrganza, a product I read about in one of my many transfers-for-dummies type books.  It's actually silk on a paper backing, and you can run it through your printer, stamp on it, paint or draw on it....and when you peel it off the backing you have an incredibly sheer piece that can be glued or sewn onto your project.  It has very nice texture, which of course is lost in the photo.

Because of her many physical ailments, Frida often did paintings with fairly graphic representations of human organs, which is why I put the realistic heart within the romantic heart.
And here is the page as a whole:

Further details:
  • background began with some distress inks applied directly to watercolor paper, then sprayed with water and blended with a paper towel.
  • next, I did some stamping with archival inks (coffee and olive), most of which has disappeared under the ensuing collaging, but you can see the blades of grass peeking through Frida's face in the lower right corner
  • all the images were applied with soft gel medium, and strips of stamped tissue were added here and there, in addition to bits of colored paper towels.
  • I gave one of the Fridas a real earring to wear, and yes, to continue the theme, it does have a heart shaped bead.
I love all of the work that Tracy does in the various collaborative art journal groups we're both a part of.  I'm hoping she enjoys what I've done for her here too.

15 comments:

Jason said...

love it --you so hit the Frida style being in San Antonio, I see alot of Frida artwork and yours it very nice. . . I see some familar stamps in your piece.

~Jason

Dorothy said...

WOW!!!

Anonymous said...

What an awesome piece Eileen...very eclectic....

Angie Hall Haviland said...

BEAUTIFUL pages, Eileen!! Love the deep, rich colors you used!!

Tammy D said...

Wow this is very true to her form. Awesome.

Sherri Auld said...

What a beautiful piece of art. She will be thrilled.

Janet Ghio said...

Your Frida page looks great!I/m sure Tracey will love it!!

Elena said...

Oh Eileen this is SPLENDID!!! I love it!

tracyozzie said...

Love my pages. All your work is simply wonderful. These are very special. I have such a hard time with transfer's and you made them look effortless. Just perfect. thank you.

Kerry said...

I love the deep, rich colors you used. I'm anxious to try the transfers that you've used. It is awesome Eileen! Thanks for sharing.

Diann said...

Wonderful ART! I wish I could do transfers as easily as you seem to do them....the owner of this book will be thrilled! Diann

Nancy Lynn said...

This is one of my favorite pieces of yours. I like it a lot.

Mixed Media Martyr said...

Eileen! This looks fantastic! Wish I could get the hang of transfers... haven't got the knack yet! Love the sound of that ExtravOrganza... sounds right up my alley! Our Frida journals are going to look fantastic when we get them back!!! Leanne.

Lori said...

Very cool! Love your page, and I'm sure Tracy will too! Deep, rich, colors and texture.

craftyM said...

Eileen-
I am just amazed how you can just come out on top with any theme you tackle! You have really risen to the top with this Frida journal. I don' think I ever could have done it justice, but you have just run with it and your work is truly amazing. You know how to set the mood and you have such flare and fun with it, you can tell! You work is addictive!!!! Love ya, Marita