Hi, I'm Torrey. Welcome to Left Field, where creativity runs amok and imagination is ALWAYS more important than knowledge. Shoes are not allowed but ties are optional. This is a repository of snippets from my life out here in Left Field. One never knows what shiny bits of creativity will be found here... cards, scrapbook layouts, photography, poetry, recipes, ponderings, rantings and musings. It could be anything! Life in Left Field is always changing, always real, always ...interesting.

December 3, 2015

Geisha Hug

Hidy Ho, crafty peeps

As you can tell with this card, I'm really into Geishas right now. I have had a love affair with Asian art for a long time now. I even have an Asian art collection that houses Geisha dolls, Kokeshi dolls, silk tapestries, silk embroideries, pottery, hand-painted chopsticks, rice paper umbrellas, hand fans....a little bit of everything. If it's Asian, and pretty, I probably have at least one in my collection.

Today's project is actually a sympathy card I made for a dear friend who tragically lost her husband just after Thanksgiving. I cannot even imagine the pain and sorrow she must be feeling. My heart literally hurts when I think about the loss she is having to endure.

I wanted to send her a sympathy card...but not one that is bleak and gloomy--something beautiful. I wanted it be bright and colorful...yet reverent and calm.

Not an easy task.

How does one make a card that is calm, yet brightly colored. One that is serious, yet not bleak? One that is serene and beautiful and thoughtful and evokes emotions of caring?

Like this.
For this card, I used the lovely "Green Lady" stamp by A Day for Daisies. I just love her. She's so...timelessly beautiful. I colored her using my Spectrum Aquas on watercolor paper. I really do love my Spectrum Aquas. They are literally watercolor paints in marker form. I laid down a bit of color directly on the paper, then moved it around with a water brush to achieve the perfectly imperfect look of watercolor.

It doesn't just have the look of watercolor... it actually IS watercolor.

After it dried, I went over some of the areas with Spectrum Noir Sparkle pens. They, too, are watercolor pens...but they have micro glitter mixed into the pigment. They add a shimmer that can either be subtle or bold, depending on how much you add.

I did the background and accent pieces (coins, red band) the same way...scribbled on watercolor paper, then using a large flat paintbrush and water, moved the color around for a painterly effect. I stamped coins on yellow-washed paper and cut them out. I used a Chinese newsprint stamp on the blue background, and added a single, bold Chinese word stamp in the upper right corner. That symbol, by the way, is "Love".

Here is a closeup of my painting.

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Ingredients:
Thank you, as always, for wandering over to Left Field!


11 comments:

  1. I am in total awe! I have seen and loved just about every card you have ever made, but the true artistry on this one blows my mind. You achieved such detail and beauty with those watercolors... I thought you probably added detail with pencils, but when I inspected it closer, I see that it's all watercolor. Simply and completely BEAUTIFUL! Well done Torrey Beth... Love you!

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  2. Lovely painting Torrey! Take care and STAY POSITIVE!

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  3. WOW. This is another stunning creation from you. Seriously, can I just pop into your head for 1 day so I could grab some of your ideas??? Her face is positively stunning. You did an absolutely incredible job. Thanks for joining us at A Day for Daisies!

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  4. Fantastic Watercolor detail!!! WOW!! Thanks for putting the close up on here, too!
    Beautifully done!
    Thanks so much for playing along with the A Day for Daisies challenge!
    (I am going to go and scoop my jaw off the floor now ;) )

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  5. The big colour contrasts add to the beauty of your card! Thanks for adding your lovely watercolour creation to our challenge at A Day for Daisies!
    Love
    Jen Leeflang
    ADFD DT

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  6. A lovely card!
    Thank you soo much for taking part in our "one for the girls” challenge over at Crafty Friends & good luck in the draw.
    Hope to see you again in our next challenge as well…

    Hugs,
    Melanie
    (DT Penny's Paper Crafty Challenges)

    (DT-Coordinator Creatalicious Challenges)

    (DT Come and Get It)

    (DT Crafty Friends)

    (DT Tuesday Throwdown)

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  7. WOW, WOW, WOW. This is something so very special. Thank you so much for sharing this stunning creation with us at A Day For Daisies. It's really amazing. I wish you would post that in the FB group so everyone could see. https://www.facebook.com/groups/adayfordaisies/

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    Replies
    1. Thank you all for the complements! Kathy, I did post it on the ADFD FB group page!

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  8. Stunning! I'm sure your friend appreciates your thoughtfulness.

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  9. This is a gorgeous card and a wonderful gift for a friend. Love the way you put all of the elements together. I am sure it brought her a moment of happiness in this difficult time.

    Thank you for joining us at Crafty Gals Corner for our Anything Goes challenge.

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! It is always wonderful to get virtual pats on the back!! I truly appreciate every comment...they are little bits of love.