My Last Post in Abstract#VLVS #VivaLasVegaStamps #VLVS

Sandra here, with my last post as a member of the VLVS! Design Team.
I decided it would be fitting to use a couple of the VLVS! stamps that are based off my artwork.

Supplies

VLVS! Stamps Used:

Tangle Stitched - Item 18843 Plate 1427
Zentangle Item 18844 Plate 1427

StazOn Jet Black Inkpad
Faber-Castell Gelatoes-Deep Red, Red, Dark Terracotta, Yellow Ochre, Pale Orange, Bright
Faber-Castell Stampers Big Brush Pen - Dark Sepia 175, Cold Grey 1 230, Ivory 103
Orange, Lemon Yellow, Cream

Stillman & Birn Zeta sketchbook
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Stick
Folk Art Metallic Peridot Fluid Acrylic Paint
Golden Iridescent Gold Fine Acrylic Paint
Transparent Gesso

Lately, I've been playing around with creation from destruction, taking artwork or practice work, destroying it by covering most of it up, and then creating something new.  My finished piece started out like this.  A practice chart I made in a sketchbook using Gelato water-soluble sticks, to see how the colors graduated.

To start the transformation, I used Stampers Big Brush pens to blend the stripes and add some grunge.  Stampers Big Brush pens are India Ink, not blenders, but the Ivory color is very light and the pens are wet enough to activate the water-soluble qualities of the gelatos, just enough for blending.

The third step was to stamp the images.  The joy of Zentangle-inspired stamps is that you can add a touch of Zentangle without drawing the tangles and then covering most of them up.  For that same reason, I didn't worry about getting a perfectly stamped image.  Zeta paper is good for stamping, but the curve of the book can get in the way.  No problem, in this case.

Recently, I've been playing around with glue guns, using the glue to create texture in a method I learned from Contadina K.  I melted glue sticks, covering most of the page with see-through strands.  I let it sit for about 1/2 hour and then coated it with a layer of transparent gesso.  I didn't completely cover the glue strands, so that any paint I added would have a slightly different appearance in some places.

After the gesso was dry (I let it sit for a day so both it and the glue would be fully cured), I used the same gelato colors as were used in the original stripes and rubbed the colors in at random, using my finger.  Then acrylic paints were added, the gold iridescent worked into some areas between the glue, and the metallic peridot was painted on top of the glue streaks.

It's difficult to show in a photo or scan, but the iridescent gold adds a sheen that changes in the light.  If you hold the page a certain way, the stamped zentangle images almost disappear.  If you tilt the book, you can see them almost completely.  Hints of the original striped colors show as well.

So long all! I hope you've enjoyed my last project for VLVS! I'll miss being part of the design team fun, but I hope I'll see most of you around on my blog, or Facebook, or Twitter.

Don't forget to check out the VLVS! November Challenge for a chance to win (plus it's fun!).

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you've enjoyed your visit to Wonderland!For more of my work with Viva Las VegaStamps!, Amazing Mold Putty, zentangle-inspired art, and daily links to tangles, tutorials, and giveaways please visit my "Life Imitates Doodles" blog.   ~ Sandra Strait

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