Monday, 29 January 2018

Art Nouveau Fantasy - hanging by Julie Ann

Hello everybody! I love browsing charity shops, especially for books! One of my special 'finds' was a huge coffee table book on Art Nouveau. I could spend hours poring over this book, the curls and swirls, the tendrils of vines intertwined with flowing locks of hair. I was really excited when I saw that Calico have some beautiful new designs to add to their Art Nouveau range of craft parts. I decided to put my own 'spin' on Art Nouveau, so please meet cabaret artiste extraordinaire - La Chouette !

I  began by painting one of the oval birch plywood plaques with black gesso and some glorious Art Nouveau tulips with white gesso.

Art Nouveau was influenced by the art of Japan, so I covered one of the birch plywood circular plaques with this white and gold Chiyogami paper.

Now it was time for some fun, selecting the parts that would form my character!

Her shimmering gown was embellished with bead gel and scraps of spangled white tissue.

It's great when the character spreads her wings and seems to fly towards me like this!

At the same time I discovered the perfect wing span to add that finishing touch. I used one of these useful, diy clamps to keep all my layers in place.

Adding tiny fragments of skeleton leaves and sprinklings of gold UTEE, along with touches of gilding paste, I was reminded of flamboyant, fin-de-siecle cabaret performers.

Here is La Chouette, fluttering and stepping into springtime, reminding us to take our seats and look about us, that nature's cabaret is about to begin! In her beautiful gown, glittering with early evening stars and evoking springtime twilight, her low, sweet hooting song thrills her audience! I hope that springtime is preparing for her cabaret where you are. Have a wonderful time, full of creativity, until we meet again!
Calico Craft Parts used
Art Deco/Nouveau Floral Tulip Ornament style 26
Oval Birch Ply Wood Plaque
Mini MDF heart shapes
Circle Birch Ply Wood Plaque
Sheet of mini mdf Wings style 4
Sheet of mini mdf Wings style 1
Sheet of mini mdf feathers style 1

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22 comments:

  1. Heather29 January 2018 at 01:12

    The palette for this piece is so striking, Julie. Perfect for the Art Nouveau blend of drama and style...La Chouette is stirring yearnings for warmer days and green things!

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    1. Julie Lee29 January 2018 at 09:17

      Thank you so much, Heather. Ah yes, warmer days and green things! How lovely that will be! xx

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  2. Helen29 January 2018 at 06:29

    wow, this is beautiful - I love her face!

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    1. Julie Lee29 January 2018 at 09:18

      Thank You, Helen. Here's hoping she hastens the spring! xx

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  3. Words and Pictures29 January 2018 at 10:41

    She's just amazing, Julie Ann - from her spangled gown to her gilded wingtips, a brilliant piece of Craft Part combining! Beautiful painted layers.
    Alison x

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    1. Julie Lee29 January 2018 at 21:46

      Thank you so much, Alison. I had so much fun creating her. xx

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  4. Dorthe29 January 2018 at 16:32

    Julie she is an amazing beauty, love her name, with all the beautiful meanings ... wonderful use of the lovely figure ,too.
    Dorthe, xoxo

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    1. Julie Lee29 January 2018 at 21:47

      Thank you so much, Dorthe, those Art Nouveau shapes just make me feel like dancing! xx

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    2. Etsuko29 January 2018 at 23:55

      Marvelous creation Julie!! I adore your imagination and the idea, love her dress. xx

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  5. Etsuko29 January 2018 at 23:54

    Marvelous creation Julie!! I adore your imagination and the idea, love her dress. xx

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    1. Julie Lee30 January 2018 at 12:47

      Thank you, Etsuko. Calico Craft parts inspire my imagination! xx

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  6. Michele30 January 2018 at 03:56

    this is a masterpiece! xo

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    1. Julie Lee30 January 2018 at 12:47

      Thank you so much, Michele. She was fun to create. xx

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  7. Jennie Atkinson30 January 2018 at 09:08

    A stunning piece of art Julie Ann! I love how it all came together - you have such amazing imagination putting all those wonderful pieces together. Just wonderful x

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    1. Julie Lee30 January 2018 at 12:49

      It's always fun to see how the pieces can be put together to create something unexpected. Thank you so much, Jennie. xx

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  8. Jackie PN30 January 2018 at 13:16

    How very lovely Chouette is in her flowing gown bedecked with sparkles and gold! She is truly a breath of freshness to welcome back the spring!
    Jackie xo

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    1. Julie Lee31 January 2018 at 19:29

      Oh, thank you, Jackie! She was great fun to create! xx

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  9. SewPaperPaint30 January 2018 at 17:16

    She's absolutely incredible! So ornate and truly regal! <3 Love this!

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    1. Julie Lee31 January 2018 at 19:27

      Thank you Autumn for your lovely comment. xx

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  10. pearshapedcrafting1 February 2018 at 12:03

    Oh Julie Ann, this is definitely my new favourite! She really is the most beautiful creature and the way you used those craft parts to create her is just amazing! We are just beginning to see snowdrops and signs of shoots on garden plants - Spring will be here soon! Chrisx

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  11. Dortesjs3 February 2018 at 11:12

    awsome, love love ;O))

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    1. Julie Lee5 February 2018 at 10:19

      Thank you so much, Dortesjs. I'm so glad you like her. xx

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