{the thread that weaves} seabird collage

 

The Thread That Weaves workshop continues, and I spent a lovely morning in my studio putting the finishing touches on this seabird collage. The mottled background is a piece of deli paper painted with Golden Fluid Acrylics in my favorite nature-inspired colors. I found the sparkly bobble and the wire-wrapped branch in my stash, and thought they made the perfect finishing accents!

This collage began with the center of a vintage doily, a strip of frayed burlap, and a painted piece of Fabriano paper. I wasn't sure where it was headed, but then I found one of my favorite Red Lead Paperworks stamps, "Follow Your Star" and it all came together. The doily reminds me a bit of a sand dollar, so I added some cut-out images of sand dollars I found at Vintage Printable. A glitter pen added a bit of starry sparkle.

This collage is still a work in progress, but I'm calling it Pacific Dreams. Last October, I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time, and the experience lingers in my mind. I loved the silvery waves, the misty gray skies and the endless horizon. I've been a beach girl my whole life and love the vivid blues and greens and white sands of the gulf. The rocky shores, and crashing waves of the Pacific were a revelation and the sense of mystery in the muted seas captured my imagination. I used silver thread to stitch the lines of the map, and to represent the love of the water that weaves throughout my life and my art. The sea inspires my art, but where do you find your inspiration?