Tuesday, September 6, 2016

My Brother's Dream... Inspirational 24x20 Canvas

======
========
=============
===================
=========================

Hello again to all my sweet creative friends!  

Today I have a special painting for you because it evolved into something a long way from how it began!!!! 



Originally, in my mind, I saw two paths leading into the woods and where they met - was a beautiful flowering tree.  The intention was for a bright, jewel tone, abstract creation.  I began by sketching in what I had in my mind.  A beautiful flowering tree would have been far back area in the center of the woods - so originally there was an open blank white space left there for the tree.




This painting is a 20 x 24 acrylic on canvas. 




At this point, my brother called and asked what I was painting. I explained and told him it was just at the beginning. He asked me to text him a picture. I had already snapped the picture above so that's what I sent to him.  His told me that it looked like his dream of the entrance to heaven. 

My sweet brother is a year younger than I and we grew up as "partners in crime"!  He lives in my hometown in Missouri. I don't see him very often but of course, we talk and we are close.


He has pancreatic cancer so his sharing his dream of heaven touched my heart.  I had no idea how to make his heavenly dream a reality so I just started painting again with that possibility in mind.

I had already covered the painting in plastic wrap before I talked to my brother and it was in the process of drying. The goal was just to blend the colors and make it more abstract.  



This painting was done with Ranger Dylusions Paints in every color they have available! It still has the plastic wrap on here.



And after it was removed....


It actually was probably prettier before the plastic wrap phase!
However... if I hadn't added the plastic wrap - I wouldn't have found the angels.  Angels??? After the conversation with my brother, I set the painting in front of me during the evening trying to think how to proceed towards the theme he stated.  And I couldn't believe my eyes when I found the angel on the left - so vivid - Wow.  And then... yes, there it was - another angel on the right. I took out my Stabilo All pencil and drew around them. 


Look at the texture from the plastic wrap!  It almost looks like light streaming inside and out of the angels?  Truly amazing to me!







So with the discovery of the angels - it can now qualify as an INTUITIVE painting - which as you know... I love to do!!!! 




Still not sure how to proceed so let's just outline the angels!!!



Then came out the stamps, stencils, Archival & Stazon Inks! 
I just began adding other worldly texture all over.

This is Ranger Dylusions Stencil - Shattered.


This is Ranger Dylusions Stencil - Bubbles. 




I also used the following stencils:
~ The Crafter's Workshop - Mini Subway
~ Stampers Anonymous, Tim Holtz Collection - Speckles
~ Hero Arts Clings Stamp - Canvas Stripes
as well as... 
~ Ranger Archival Ink for the road/path. 



Here is a picture of the stamps and stencils used in this project.
The Inkadinkadoo Stamp was used for the front of the gate.



From this point on - I just began to play and experiment. Over a period of days... I would stop and start again adding layers.

Somewhere along the line I added DecoArt Media Crackle Paste to the "hole" at the end of the road and DecoArt Media Crackle Glaze to the angels. 


Plus I added many other products to enhance the painting: 
DecoArt Antiquing Cream, Metallic Lustre and Glamour Dust to parts of the painting. As well as some Ranger Stickles.



Colourarte Silks Acrylic Glaze in a variety of colors were used throughout the painting too.  Love the Iridescent Silks on the darker colors like the angels - so fun to see it turn from white to a color. 





 DecoArt Metallic Lustre Rose Gold did an amazing job on the crackle texture. 



Layering and adding - little by little - creating the scene!



In the middle of the night one night I woke up with the idea to add the gate/fence.  No idea where or how but the next day, I was up to the task.  It was tedious - just using my ruler!  And the gates were the hardest - you can see that they don't match perfectly but it's ok - it's just a dream!!!  I did use a stamp on the center of the gate. 


There was just something about the road/path that didn't look right to me.  I wasn't sure how to add the stairs so again... I just started sketching with my Stabilo All pencil and a ruler.  Whew - was there a lot of erasing!!  After adding the stairs... I knew it was nearly done!  

Just needed the streams of heavenly light. Using DecoArt Metallic Lustre & Glamour Dust, I tentatively added one streak of light and liked it... so using my finger as well as an old credit card... proceeded adding one streak after another. Hehehe - so fun!!!


















Of course, with all the glimmer and glitz it was hard to capture the painting at it's best! With light shining on it - it's very vibrant and rich.  In natural light it is serene and peaceful! 

Never would I have imagined this turning out the way it did when I began. It brought my brother happiness so for that I am grateful.  I did a lot of happy singing while painting this one too! 

There is a song by Michael English and the first verse is: 
I dreamed of a city called Glory
So bright and so fair.
When I entered the gates I cried "Holy"
The angels all met me there...

As always - thank you sweet friends for taking time to stop by! 
May your dreams be full of glorious light! Hugs. j.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Excited to add this to these challenges: 
It's true! Dreams if they're any good are always a little bit crazy! But personally, I think my brother's dream of heaven is super.  I hope to meet him there someday :)  Thanks bunches Mixed Media Place for allowing me to play along with your dream theme. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Frilly and Funky Challenge Blog
September: Things With Wings


Not butterflies or birds but definitely wings. Plus heaven is timeless so hoping this will fit the vintage category too!!
Thrilled to have the opportunity to participate this time. 

======================
==================
======================
===================
==========

17 comments:

Karen Petitt said...

My lovely uber talented friend who is a rocking artist too this is just wonderful, absolutely awesome art Joi.

There is something so peaceful yet uplifting about the painting and the way it evolved shows us all there is more to this life than we know.

I hope one day soon you get to see your brother and he gets to see this piece of beautiful art that you created for him, because that's what I believe Joi you created this for him.

I also hope and will pray for him to be well too huni, that cancer is nasty and needs to be kicked in the rear! Karen xx

Nan G said...

Oh Joi...what an amazing piece of art! From where it started to the glorious finish....amazing. Hugs and prayers for and your brother.

Lizzy Hill said...

You know what I like about this best? That underneath that painting is something else entirely different, that has become part of something completely new and unexpected.....& to me, that's a sort of metaphor of death. So in that sense, I think this is a truly amazing piece & the light & those stairs and finding the angels..... perfection & beauty all coming together with such a strong sense of meaning.... sorry, waxing lyrical. But LOVED seeing your process on this very, very personal creation:):)

Redanne said...

It gave me goosebumps reading through your process and when you found those Angels - the meaning of your beautiful canvas really shines through Joi. This is such a beautiful piece of art and the fact that it made your Brother happy is just wonderful. Hugs, Anne xx

Brenda Brown said...

Oh my gosh Joi this is an amazing interpretation of your brothers dream and how incredibly it came together. You have such a knack of seeing shapes and creating with beautiful colours , I am in awe of your talent my friend. Special prayers for your dear brother xxx

Jackie PN said...

Joi, what a beautiful canvas and I am sure your brother will Love this with all of his heart!
Your textures from the plastic wrap are indeed a huge hit and were the perfect segue for what else was to appear-Just beautiful,dear Joi! xx

Win Dinn, Artist said...

This is a gorgeous example of an intuitive painting that speaks. I know your brother will fall in love with it on sight. Thanks for sharing your process...it's doubly lovely to read as well as view. xo

SewPaperPaint said...

Joi, I am really sorry that your brother is ill, but know that a heavenly home awaits him! I'm reminded of the song, "I can Only Imagine..." Tears are flooding my checks because these days I long for that home. Big hugs, Autumn

talkis23 said...

Love it !!!! Thanks for playing at Mixed Media Place challenge ❤️

Tsaima Eirini said...

Wow... so unique!! thanks for entering thn MMP challenge!

Heather McMahon said...

Oh my goodness - I can't believe how different the painting turned out to be! I love the texture the plastic wrap created and it's fantastic that you were able to create this for your brother.

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Where should I begin...ok, first, the phone call from your bro...a God thing! The saran wrap...I've never even heard of doing that...making the perfect texture and lines for the angel placements, and I totally saw the angels too! And covering it all up again to make this scene is mind blowing! Your stairs and gate are wonderful! I LOVE this, and the whole process to getting there gave me goose bumps!

sarascloset said...

Oh, Joi! I mean JOY! I'm not even sure to begin to comment on this! First off, my prayers are for you and your dear brother. I pray for his comfort and peace here on Earth and that you and he will find joy in knowing he will have Everlasting Life.

What a spine tingling story behind the evolution of your painting; I was thinking as I was reading down that Joi is an intuitive artist for sure, and there it was in print. But more than intuitive, I think--guided by His hand.

What an amazing transformation into one of the most lovely pieces of artwork I've ever seen! I'm sure your brother is so very pleased with what his sweet sister has created for him! You are one super sister to give him this gift!

I would have never seen the angels! Wow! And those stairs, gate and amazing rays of light just draw me in! Love, LOVE, LOVE! And my newest favorite of yours! Well done! Sending hugs!

Unknown said...

Love all the colors! Thank you for participating in the Mixed Media Place challenge!

Unknown said...

Love all the colors! Thank you for participating in the Mixed Media Place challenge!

TandiArt said...

Very dreamy project! Beautiful..Beautiful project! Thank you for taking part in Mixed Media Place Challenge :)xxSylwia

Jenny Marples said...

Honestly Joi, breathtaking! You took us on a journey seeing this develop from a rough idea to the input from your brother to the final finished piece with all that ethereal quality and beauty. Thank you for sharing with us at Frilly and Funkie xx