Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

I have been seeing some gorgeous mixed media collages around the web, especially on Pinterest. To be honest, I found them rather intimidating and didn't think I could do one. But today I decided to look up a few video tutorials to get an idea of how to do one. Wow. Did I get some great inspiration. I got the impression that the secret is in the layering of elements, so I started by choosing my elements.

I knew I wanted my focal image to be a sketch I did of an eye a few weeks ago. Then I chose some patterned papers and a page from a book about saints. I had a hard time ripping a page out of a book, let me tell you, but I felt a little better that the book was not in good condition to begin with. I chose a few bits of tissue paper and some stamps. I wanted to use texture paste in my project so I could enter it in this Monday's challenge at Simon Says Stamp. I used die cut negatives for my texture paste pieces. I selected a few paints, embellishments, embossing powders, seed beads and my homemade mod-podge (half white glue, half water). I covered my work service and had me some good, crafty fun for the next 3 hours.

Here is the result.

The first thing was to add random shots of paint to the sides of the canvas.

View from above.

Printed sentiment on oval die cut. Seed beads sprinkled on wooden flourish.

Focal point - the eye that I drew and colored with Copics.

Stamped sentiment and rose rick-rack trim.

Printed sentiment, tore and inked edges. Another stamped sentiment.

One of the branches made with texture paste and a die cut negative. Stamped butterfly.

More texture paste branches, treated with embossing powders, paints, and a brown marker to add definition.

 Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope this inspires you to try something crafty that you have never done before. You might find, like I did, a new favorite way to craft.

Blessing hugs,
Teresa

PS - The canvas I used already had a painting on it that did not turn out to my satisfaction. It was of a doorway to a heavenly realm, but it looked pretty cheesy. I splashed paint randomly over it, not covering it completely, so the essence of the original is still there. "The eye is the window (or doorway) to the soul."

Challenges Entered:
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Use Paste to create texture
Love to Create - Anything Goes
MarkerPop Challenge - Anything Goes (Copics used on Eye sketch)
Sparkle & Sprinkle - Anything Goes with Glitter, Embossing powder, etc.)
Through the Purple Haze - Pencil drawing or coloring (eye was pencil drawn)
Paint Party Friday - Anything Goes (paint)
The Outlawz Saturday Challenge - Flowers
Make It Monday - Always Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes (inspirational)