So how hard is it for me to write a post for a blog hop when I am asked to make something with the color of Indigo using stencils? For. real? Pretty much my favorite color! My house would certainly validate it. So today I get to post an art journal spread I created a few weeks back. I could only use Indigo, black and/or white for colors. Now I am going to be completely transparent. I love mixed media art but it is not something I just whip together like the amazing Mary Beth Shaw or Dina Wakley do. My art simmers and sits and I work it like a crossword puzzle until something becomes magical. And at last, somehow it becomes the “final answer”.
I started off my page with a strip of architectural blue print paper. (Estate sale find :)). I added white gesso to the page. Working on the left side first, I added drops of heavy indigo-colored watercolor paint. Carolyn Dube’s Circles Layer Me with white acrylic paint made it’s way to the top of the blue print. Then lots of splatters, sprinkles and nondescript stencil images settled in.
And to the right side I added pre-stenciled watercolor images on sheets of watercolor paper using Mary C. Nasser’s It’s a Small World Latitude stencil, Seth Apter’s ATC Mixup , and Michelle Ward’s Circle Rays. To connect the two pages, I made an Indigo puddle down the center and moved it a tad to the right so that it was slightly asymmetrical. I like things like that. Not quite inside the box. You?
Tucked in under the watercolor papers was an Indigo blue watercolor palette. I added small bits of Circles Layer Me and It’s a Small World Latitude images again with white paint to balance out the two pages.
Massive amounts of woven threads gathered in the center but a few managed to dribble out to the end. A single stamped image “gypsy” (Journal Jargon stamp by Seth Apter.), tiny tags and a navy, rusty washer finished off the journal.
Do not ask me how I got here. Certain I could not explain. I will say I started off with these watercolored pieces where a few made it to the stage and where a few got tucked neatly away (or not) until the next “viewing”… (or not.)
And that is the end of my story.
Hope you all are safe and well.
XO,
Debi
Check out all the wonderful artworks in our Creative Team Monochromatic Rainbow Hop:
Peg Robinson – Purple
Sue Plumb – Blue
Linda Edkins Wyatt – Green
Jennifer Gallager – Yellow
Claudia Neubacher – Orange
Carol Baxter – Red
Sunila Mahajan & Aditi Mahajan – Gold
Natalie May – White/Black
Debi Adams – Indigo-You are here.
Comment on the blogs for your chance to win one of the $25 gift certificates for StencilGirlProducts.com.
Contest ends April 27, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time USA. Winners will be contacted via email the 28th.
The word and the collage bit that looks like a candle does it for me!
This is absolutely gorgeous! You know I love your indigo! Thank you for including one of my stencils in this amazing artwork!
Debi, this is a most gorgeous indigo composition! I love all of the gradients and splatters and drips and those stencils are so wonderfully worked into the complete design. I also just love the watercolor palette tucked in among the threads and textile. stunning. xx
Oh what can I say to even express how much I LOVE this! I really wanted Indigo for this hop..what a mysterious and deeply satisfying color it is. Great art piece/page!
I love this beautiful Indigo spread. The way you used the stencils and the collaged pieces is really effective. And adding the word “Gypsy” was the final perfect touch!
Beautiful! I love the indigo.
Beautifully done, all that deep rich wonderful color. Love the little tags and washer also. Thanks
This page is just luscious. I love the idea of starting on blueprint paper. I need to get some of that! You really did such a wonderful job of using all the shades together nicely.
I’m with Mary Nassar on this work. Simply gorgeous Debi. Love it.
Wow! Your elements are all amazing! I love everything about this. I’m with Carol, I need to find some of this paper.
That blue just makes me happy. Super eye candy! tfs
Blue is one of my favorite colors, and I have delicious and wonderful memories of indigo-dying in my past work as a textile artist. I was intrigued with the idea of using blue print paper as a foundation … will have to keep an eye out for some of that stuff. I think your piece is beautiful …. balanced, inviting, multilayered and deeply meaningful. Thank you for sharing it.
The indigo is beautiful! A great journal spread.
I’m at a loss for being able to describe how this stunning page makes me feel. Just love all the depths of color and the subtlety of the stencils used are beautiful.
Indigo is my favorite color, to, and I love he you have explored all its variations here. Thanks for sharing!
Stunning, Debi!!!
I really like the movement and contrast in your blue pieces.
Wonderful!!
Lovely indigo spread! Your process sounds lovely to me!
Such a great, moody piece.
shea mester
at times just floating and other moments diving deep.. Such a range. thank you
There is so much going on here, but there is nothing extraneous or jarring.. For me this feels like a deep cleansing breath you take when you get to somewhere you feel safe and secure. TFS
Beautiful page…so deep!!!
Wow! Thats a stunning page!
shea mester
Wow oh wow—thread, washer and indigo gypsy delight
Indigos…denim and water and rain, lakes, rivers and streams. Well done.
Indigo is my favorite color. You’re right, this page is “magical”. I love all the shades you’ve created and the design you created with stencils and splatters is intriguing. Makes me want to start a piece using indigo ASAP! Fabulous!
truly inspired by your art, thanks for sharing!
You rocked this color! Simply gorgeous!
Beautiful layout. I love this color. Great use of stencils and layers.
I dont use indigo often. Your piece has me wondering why!
Wow, what an awesome estate sale find! Love the page.
My Favorite – Indigo! Love the look and the stencils give some inspiration.
Indigo is my favorite color. Lucky find of the architectural blueprint, since they don’t seem to use that process anymore!
Beautiful work! All the posts have shown us how you can create stunning work with the monochromatic theme. Your journal spread is no exeception!
Beautiful. Love the shades of indigo
I loved learning how each artist approached this project!
My favorite piece is the indigo. But I enjoyed learning about each process – my favorite part of this challenge!
Blue is a great healing color – so needed in our world right now. Your piece is truly striking and the subtle shading differences in your blue hues really stand out. Well done!
Beautiful!
Fantastic piece! Beautiful indigo & the thread with the small tags & the navy washer are stunning.
Gorgeous layers! I love what you did with this.
Yummy, yummy layers! I could look at this over and over and see new things each time!
Debbie, this is simply wonderful. I like your contribution the best. All of them are beautiful and inspiring and they clearly say, monochromatic rocks!
Love the stencils you used!!!