Stencil Test Drive - Hands!

Hey there everybody!  I'm behind the wheel for another Stencil Test Drive for my friend Jessica Sporn!

 

This time I've been playing with Jessica's Hands Stencil, which looks like this...

 I chose this stencil to play with because I love to use hands in my art journal pages.  To me they symbolize so much.  A single hand can symbolize self, identity - I am here!  Hands together can symbolize connection, which is what I was thinking about when I created my piece for this hop...

Here's what I came up with...

 This is a little tribute to Michael and I moving to a new home this fall.  I loved using the hands stencil to create a layered background which peeks through the big hands silhouette. Can you see them?

 Here are a few process photos...

 I used lots of different yellow and orange spray inks to create the first layer.  After spraying through the hands, I also flipped the stencil over and pressed the inky side to the paper, to take advantage of the negative images too.

Then I applied some clear gesso over the top to seal the ink.  That way I can add a second layer with out the mists mixing and turning to mud.

 Next I did the same thing with a bunch of blue and teal spray inks.  I also used neocolor II crayons around the edges to create a frame.  Followed by another coat of clear gesso. 

Here's a closeup...

Next step was to find a silhouette on the web of two people holding hands.  I printed it out, enlarged it, cut it out, and traced around it.  Then I filled it in with a fairly thick coat of glossy accents to create a resist...

 Then some gesso, applied with my hands.  I used a baby wipe to easily wipe off any gesso that got onto the silhouette image...

Added some doodles and a title, and here's the finished page again...

I'm so happy with my page!  Every time I look at it, I will remember this exciting time for us.  Thank you so much Jessica, for including me in the Hands stencil test drive!

Please check out Jessica's blog, and the other test-driving artists to see more ways to use this awesome stencil!  - but before you do, be sure to leave a comment here because Jessica is giving away a hands stencil to one lucky winner, and every comment in the test drive will be eligible to win!  The more times you comment, the more chances you have to win!

Jessica Sporn (designer and host)

Natasha May

Carolyn Dube

Marjie Kemper

Maria McGuire

Janet Joehlin

Kristen Reed

Thanks so much for visiting today!  I will see you again soon!