Tuesday 23 July 2013

T for Tryst! - Craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge.

I can't believe we're onto another letter in the Craft Barn Alpha/Dictionary Challenge already. Click here if you would like to find out more about this challenge to illustrate dictionary definitions either in your own altered dictionary, or in an art journal or on ATCs - the possibilities are many, but why not just take a look over at The Craft Barn and you'll discover just how a whole collection of talented artists and crafters are exploring words and their meanings in original ways.
 I've chosen the word 'Tryst' for this week's letter T: a journal spread about secret meetings in secluded places.
Although in my dictionary, tryst was defined as a pre-arranged meeting, I have always associated it with lovers, especially those of long ago whose liaisons were forbidden or - at least - dangerous! A couple of years back I taught students 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' and I was struck by how certain descriptive passages were reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelite painters. This was a novel about forbidden trysts and the consequences for women of risking their reputation for a few snatched moments with an admirer. For my journal page I took two Pre-Raphaelite paintings and did little copies in the middle of my journal page, which I then hid behind a stamp by Crafty Individuals of a shuttered window stamped onto card painted in the same colours as my background. I cut round the shutters carefully with a craft stiletto so that it is possible either to peep through into this past world of clandestine meetings...
or to open out the whole image like a card.
The page on the left is based on Hughes' painting 'April Love' and it reflects Spring, new love and daytime.
The page on the right is a farewell tryst and I tried for a twilight feel with moths instead of butterflies and more shadow than sunlight. If you click on the images, you will be able to see in a little more detail.
For the backgrounds on both my pages I dabbed on Frescos in shades of green: Hyde Park, Tinned Peas, Hey Pesto, Limelight and Sage. I stamped leaves on in Versafine green and added tissue leaves and a poppy from paper napkins. My moths are Paper Artsy stamps and a Retro Cafe Art Gallery paper cut moth. I also stamped some script from a Paper Artsy plate on the inside of the window shutters with Coffee Archival ink.
I used a die-cut of a Tim Holtz book-plate for my definition, painting a layer in Fresco Holly, Crackle Glaze and then a layer of Guacamole. I edged this with a little Treasure Gold.
The butterflies on the left page are cut from Graphic 45 'Steam Punk Debutante', a design alas no longer available.
The blue butterflies were stamped onto the background in Peacock Feathers distress ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder so they do glisten in real life! This technique was inspired by a beautiful canvas I saw on Alison's blog 'Words and Pictures'. Her dragon fly really gleamed and reminded me of Ellen Terry's beetle wing costume. The bird is a Retro Cafe Art Gallery paper cut.
It's been so hot while I was painting and photographing and writing up, I'm worried I have not made much sense! Everything seems to have been created in a kind of stupor! I began to envy these doomed lovers in their shady rendezvous! I'm off now to check out other Alpha-Dictioneers who I hope have not melted away in all this heat!






21 comments:

  1. What a lovely word illustrated so well. I first came across this word in Shakespeare so even more magical. Love how you have framed the word too, might have to "steal" that one - LOL. BJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is simply gorgeous Julie Ann! x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow - I am a visual learner and as hard as I try to understand how you created this masterpiece I cannot visualize the process by reading. I sure wish I had a video of you making this. Delightful, wonderful and I sure do love your pages!!
    Sandy


    ReplyDelete
  4. wow I agree with Sandy a video would have been great....lots of detail,an amazing page...and I can see that you enjoyed creating this page!

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's breathtaking. Such a wonderful piece of art, I really love it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Julie, shesh I have had company everyday, no time to craft or visit shesh, enough of my whining:)
    This page is outstanding,the windows you created are brilliant, and you made 2 different kinds, loooove them,your background is stunning,loooove how you framed the word in that lovely crackle 2 of them.Might I add designer beautiful..
    A video that would be awesome, I know that is a lot of work and you need a video, but wouldn't it be lovely just to hear your voice:O), thanks for sharing you fabulous make...The Parliament is cheering for you..

    ReplyDelete
  7. So beautiful... what astounding lovely pages, and then you discover the little windows, and it gets even better - wow!
    Alison x

    ReplyDelete
  8. WOW Julie Ann this is stunning! Beautiful colours and I love how you've created your windows. This is just perfect! xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great word to choose and I love your brilliant images!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stunning pages. Love it from the background, to the portraits through the windows, to the collage. I did enlarge the photos and inspect all the details (you said to) lol. I think you have illustrated tryst beautifully and in the period mood - just fantastic Julie-Ann.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Fabulous choice of word and such beautifully created pages! Love the little window opening revealing your little trysts :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow stunning journal page, I love the whole secret love, how romantic. The page is so full of colour and lots of details, super awesome. Hugs Kezzy :-) xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. My favourite page this time, stunning use of stamping and embellishments, absolutely brilliant!
    Val x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow...!! These pages are stunning! Love love that little door.

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a beautiful piece! Loved you description of its creation.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Julie Ann - this is a stunning piece of work! really enjoyed reading your post and I'm off for another look at your pictures in detail...

    ...simply fabulous - you are definitely on MY wall of fame! MMx

    ReplyDelete
  17. Fantastic ! Love all the details you have managed to cram in there and how you used the door stamp (I have it too...).

    ReplyDelete
  18. What amazing pages, love all the detail and fabulous stamping.

    Sylv xx

    ReplyDelete
  19. Beautiful pages - they look so full of detail and must have taken you forever! I really like all the subtle detail, like the moths, and I love the lady behind the window. Claire x

    ReplyDelete
  20. ooh wow! This is amazing! So much detail, its gorgeous! Thank you so much for visiting me xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is totally gorgeous !!
    Thanks for playing with us at the Craft Barn,
    Izzy

    ReplyDelete

Due to high level of spam recently I have enabled comment moderation on this blog, so any comments will be moderated before appearing on the blog.