Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Inspiration/Satisfaction

My favorite cards don't emerge from my head like Athena from Zeus's noggin or Aphrodite on the half-shell from the ocean. They are inspired by other cards--or advertisements, or posters, or book covers or signs or whatever--and evolve from the inspiration piece into something that makes my heart sing.

Such a card as today's, inspired by this pin.



My version is a bit simpler than the original. First of all, my image is stamped rather than an adorable watercolor, although I did watercolor the stamped hummingbird with ink from Arteza real brush markers that I painted onto an acrylic block. There's also no die cut branch, although that wasn't for lack of trying. (My punch and die collection didn't yield anything satisfying.) My feather was stamped rather than real. I painted the Waltzingmouse feather stamp with the Arteza brush pens and spritzed it with water for a softer effect.

These changes take the original, gorgeous design to a simpler level, and the results make me so happy!




Honestly, this is my favorite way to create...it's so satisfying! I'd never have thought of this on my own, but with a fabulous inspiration piece, I get to make something that has my stamp on it (so to speak). The many design choices and changes I need to make (because of my supplies, lack of artistic ability, color choices, etc.) feel like a treasure hunt with a pretty card at the end!

Mia's blog has so much inspiration to offer! You'll no doubt be seeing more of this sort of thing from me. If you have some favorite sources of inspiration, please share them in the comments!

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,
Susan

Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts Antique Engravings, Clearly Besotted sentiment set, Waltzingmouse Fine Feather
paper: Papertrey white, Tim Holtz watercolor paper
ink: Archival coffee
accessories: kraft twine, dimensionals, Arteza real brush markers, paint brush, water spritzer, 1/8" hole punch


5 comments:

  1. Lovely interpretation of Mia's card. It is difficult for me to turn an advertisement, fabric ,etc into a card as you do so well. I appreciate when you explain your creative process.

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  2. I love seeing your inspirations for creating your own cards. I have used many different sources for inspiration: ads, jewelry, T-shirts, business cards, wallpaper, wine labels, children's book illustrations...and the list goes on. I take photos of them and put in a computer folder labeled "Creative Inspiration"!

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  3. I just love this. Sometimes I find all the white on the card unsettling. This card does not make me feel this way. I am going to go and try to copy this. Thanks

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  4. Hopped over to Mia's blog- love her style- and also how you put your own spin on it.

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!