Simply ME | Believe Art Canvas

Hello!!!

Today I wanted to share one of my mixed media art canvases that I recently worked on. It wasn't at all what I thought it would turn out to be. I seriously just took a leap of faith and experimented with it. After watching a few video tutorials that I searched on You Tube, I knew that I wanted to dig deeper into my creativity and let whatever I had inside, flow. If you read my post about my very first art canvas--My Creative Voice, taking a blank canvas to make something out of it can be very intimidating and scary. This being my second project, I had a little bit more confidence than before and learned to not fear mistakes. We all want to be perfect, but it's just not possible when we are all imperfect one way or another and that is perfectly normal because we are human. Right? Every little details, strengths and weaknesses, are what makes life beautiful as a whole....

The process that this took for me to create this, was really liberating. In the end, I felt like I had discovered a hidden part of me that I never knew existed. It was such an awakening for me since I struggled at times with my insecurities that I am not good enough or not as artistic like some of the most admirable artists that I have come to respect and love. Deep down, I crave to be different and to be able to achieve my own individual style.  Often at times, I think about whether or not I'm being who I'm supposed to be and not trying to be like everyone else. Part of me wants to be just like those who have inspired me, but then I also don't want to get too caught up in trying to be like others, that I end up failing to be true to me, which is why I tend to feel lost and frustrated at times when I create. I want to be original, real, and authentic, someone who is comfortable in her own skin without the need to be exactly like others in order to be satisfied and content with who I am.  Simply put, I don't want to be molded into someone else's shoes. Easier said than done, but I know I have to choose to look beyond my imperfections in order to embrace my uniqueness and stick to my own personal style. Like I mentioned above, our mistakes and flaws that we see in ourselves, all plays a part in becoming that unique and special person that we are.  All those little bits and pieces of good and bad, are what develops our character and qualities that set us apart from everyone else.  So, that is what I have learned so far in my journey in becoming a true artist, but simply being ME and who I truly am as a person...

 After applying gesso to the canvas, I randomly squeezed out acrylic and craft paint all over

 I used a old plastic card to spread the paint, mixing some of the colors up.

 While paint is still slightly damp, I splattered water on it and dabbed it dry with paper towel. I also used bubble wrap to add more texture and dimension.

 Once the paint was dry. I tore out hearts out of text book paper and planned where I was going to place them onto the canvas.

 I crumpled the hearts up for that aged and worn feel.

 I adhered the hearts using gel medium then, gave it some color using alcohol inks. I also added other stenciled shapes using paint.

Throughout the next few days, I added finishing touches with doodles, journaling, stamps, and paint splatters before I sealed it all with Mod Podge.

Title is BELIEVE | MATHEW 6:21 

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Journaling: "Living your best life takes passion to see your dreams come true. It takes passion to LIVE, to LOVE, and to CREATE the person you are meant to be. God destined you for an AMAZING purpose... Be true to yourself"

Thank you so much for reading through and hope you were inspired! I also have an upcoming post of some of my first Art Journal pages that I am creating for Christy Tomlinson's workshop--She Has Three Hearts. So don't forget to come back and visit!

xo,