Delightful Hand Wall Art

 

I  am loving playing with Delight® and have made some very cool discoveries. Gather your supplies and join me on this art adventure.

SUPPLIES

Delight®
Hand shape (cut out of cardboard or a sheet of Delight®)
Acrylic paint
Texture tools (stamps, pattern tracer, etc.)

Vintage elements

I had these hand shapes die cut for another project but thought I would try it with Delight. You can use a shaped panel or you can cut your hand shape out of cardboard or a sheet of Delight®.

I started by applying Delight® to my hand shape then brayering it flat. Then I embossed the surface with different stamps to give it texture. 

Next I brayered (rolled flat) the clay and made sheets of Delight® which I was able to cut into shapes. 

I cast a heart in a silicone mold that I was actually just using for the border and shape. Next leaf shapes were cut out of the sheet and applied them to the surface. I took my tracing wheel to make the dotted center of the leaves. It indented the leaf shape and poofed out the edges. I will definitely be doing more projects using the Delight® paper. 

After adding more leaves, a new center for the heart shape, I painted the hand shape. Then I applied vintage millinery flowers and some pearls to add more depth. With a hanger on the back, it can be hung in small places like the kitchen, bathroom or by your entry.

I will be trying this again but with different colors.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

www.darleneoliviamcelroy.com

Creative Paperclay® Lover's Eye

My friends call me a mad art scientist because I love to experiment. In this case, I am using a Creative Paperclay® element as a Lover's Eye inside a cigar box that has been laser cut and etched then embellished. The embellished clay eye becomes the "sweet" spot in this piece of art.

SUPPLY LIST

Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic Paint
Alcohol Inks
Silicone Molds
Cigar Box
Metal Leaf
Pearls & Rhinestones
Glass Eye

 The Creative Paperclay® flower was dry brushed with a Titan Buff acrylic paint after a wash of Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold acrylic paint had dried. A glass eyeball was glued to the center then vintage pearls were glued around it.

The inspiration for this project was Lover's Eyes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, wealthy British and European lovers exchanged "eye miniatures" -- love tokens so clandestine that even now, in the majority of cases, it is impossible to identify their recipients or the people they depict.

Next I took a cigar box to the local makers space ( a makers space is a shared workshop and artist/artisan community.) These spaces throughout the country allow you to use 3D printers and laser cutters/etchers as well as many other techno tools. Often local junior colleges have these as well.

Before taking it in, I applied metal leaf to the box, sanded it and then worked out the design I planned to etch into it.

I laser cut the hole in the center and etched the floral design into the metal leaf box. I painted the etched flowers with alcohol inks then added the rhinestones and crosses. The inside of the box was painted black.
















I added my Creative Paperclay® eye by building up a backing to it and gluing it to the back of the box so the eye floated in the hole. A circle of rhinestones was added before I placed it in place.


Have fun. Dream in Color.

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Creative Paperclay® Calavera Art

Time to get ready for the holidays starting with Halloween and Day of the Dead. I started by rolling out Creative Paperclay® on a masonite panel then laying a stencil over it and brayering it so the pattern would show well. Then a cast skull was glued to it with soft gel. The edges were then trimmed and smoothed with a small amount of water on my fingers then allowed to dry.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Soft Gel Gloss
Black and buff acrylic paint
Jewelry parts
Fake Flower

Black paint was applied to the surface and allowed to dry before a wash of buff paint was applied. This was followed by gluing jewelry parts and fake flower pedals down.

This would look great on the top of an ofrenda.

If you are going to create an ofrenda for Day of the Dead, here is the 3 level layout. This can all be miniaturized by creating the different ofrenda elements with the paper clay such as fruit, sweets and bottles. Be careful though. One year I made faux chocolates for a heart shape box using the clay and my husband tried to eat one.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Shrine with Mica Flakes & Metal Leaf

I am researching info for an article and class on shrines. That inspired me to create one with Creative Paperclay®. I always roll out my clay between layers of wax paper and also let them dry on it. It won't warp this way. I texturized it with a homemade stamp.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Cast objects
Mica Flakes
Acrylic Paints
Stamps
Salt
Metal Leaf and Adhesive size

 I sprinkled the mica flakes on to the clay and rolled it in. The edges are left rough.

Next I stamped into the clay and added a cast Buddha. When dry, I sealed it with polymer medium.

A metallic gold wash was added. When dry a burnt umber stain was applied and the alphabet letters were added. The white liquid over the Buddha is adhesive size for the metal leaf. It goes on white. When it turns clear it is ready to use.

I applied the metal leaf and decided I wanted more on the top and bottom for balance. On the Buddha I added a burnt umber stain then I added a floater on the back so it can be hung on a wall with a bit of a shadow.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Just Beachy!

Look at my beat up molds. They are very well used. When I have a little time but not enough time to dig into a painting, I cast objects. I have drawers full of them that are ready when needed. Some are created with plain Creative Paperclay® and others are tinted or painted.

I decided to make a beach necklace piece of art today.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Panel or canvas
Acrylic paint
Molds & cast objects
Glue
Aquarium sand (hard to get beach sand in Santa Fe)
 

 I started by applying surface texture to my panel then gluing down cast and found objects to my surface. I gave it a wash of tan over the white and sprinkled sand on it while wet. I actually liked it at this point but I wanted a more colorful beach look.

I applied paint to part of the base and started adding elements for placement. At this point, I sit back and look at it for several days to see if I need to change color, soften the look or if it needs more details.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Making Images on Creative Paperclay®

I love image transfers and have even written a book, Image Transfer Workshop, for Northlight so thought I would do a piece doing a transfer directly on the Creative Paperclay®. It turned out better than I expected.

SUPPLIES
Creative Paperclay®
Toner image
Chartpak Admarker Colorless Blender
Micaceous Iron Oxide paint

I started by gluing a doily on my panel and applying gesso when the glue had dried. Next, I applied a shape of paper clay to the surface that fit my toner image. I rolled out the clay and cut the shape on some waxy paper then laid it on the surface and removing the wax paper.

Next, I laid the toner image facing down on the dry paper clay and applied the blender pen to the back in small areas. I burnished the image then reapplied a second time before moving on to a larger area.

You can do a perfect transfer with a little patience. I prefer a slightly grunge look that I paint back into.

I added a wash of the Micaceous Iron Oxide paint and let dry.

Next it was the small details.

Have fun with this cool product and Dream in Color.

Changing Faces, Changing Stories

This is my favorite Creative Paperclay® post while being on the Creative Paperclay® Design Team and I wanted to share it again. To me it is all about paint and texture and I thought the paint match job came out perfect.

As a narrative artist I find that I am always adjusting the stories around me. This clay mask has been hanging around the studio for years. It has been cast, been in videos and I felt it was time for a facelift. Because it was clay, I knew it would take Creative Paperclay® very well.

SUPPLIES

Object
Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic Paint






I started by slightly dampening the surface with water then building up the butterfly shapes with the clay.

Next I added texture with a variety of tools from a wood skewer, ceramic mark making tools and something I do not know the name of. Maybe for cooking (not my specialty). Finished by smoothing the edges with a little water.

Next I applied a wet brown paint, I immediately blotted it for a stained effect. This was just my base color.

Since I wanted it to look like it was part of the original mask I added a wash of titan buff and grey paint. While wet I salted the paint to give it the feel of the mask.

Play with Art, and Dream in Color!

Holographic Foil Meets Creative Paperclay®

I have so many projects that I have created laying around my studio. One of my favorite things to take one of these and try out different surface treatments. The mad art scientist in me wants to continuously experiment on techniques. I didn't worry about the crack because I was just playing around.

I started with this house shape I had made with Creative Paperclay and had stamped and stenciled on. Because I wanted to add a red foil later, I coated it with a red oxide acrylic paint.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Red Oxide Acrylic Paint
Adhesive Size for Foil/Metal Leaf
Holographic Foil

When the paint had dried, I coated the surface with Wunda Size, which is a water based glue for foils and metal leaf. It is white when applied and when it becomes clear it will be tacky and ready for the application of the foil.

I am using a holographic foil (shown here). Lay the foil (pretty side up) over the tacky surface and burnish with a spoon or your finger. Because my background has texture I knew it would only transfers on the raised areas unless I burnished hard.

Because it is a holographic foil is changes as the light changes or as you move around it. Of course, it is almost impossible to photograph. It added a nice red shimmer to the plain red oxide color.

Don't forget art is about having fun and playing.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Facelift with Creative Paperclay®

This piece started out as a demo in one of my books. I found it while cleaning out my studio and thought it could use a little dimension so I created Creative Paperclay® trees. Often when looking at an old piece you can see other possibilities. Apologies. The starter picture did not turn out.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Sculpting tools
Exacto knife
Acrylic paint

I started by dampening the surface for added adhesion when I applied the clay.

Once the clay was laid down, I brayered it flat and trimmed off the areas that I didn't want with an exacto knife. Using my clay sculpting tools, I scribed lines into the clay then smoothed it slightly with water on my finger tips. When dry I added acrylic paint.

Dimensional embellishments add to the visual interest of your art.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Dry into Wet with Creative Paperclay®

On this piece I am going to add previously made Creative Paperclay® heart that is totally dry into wet clay.

I start by marking in white the size of the heart.

SUPPLIES

Creative Paperclay®
Acrylic paint
Stamps
Holographic foil

After dampening the surface, I apply the clay and brayer it flat before trimming with an exacto knife.
When trimmed and the edges smoothed with some water on my fingers, I stamped the piece.

I wet the backside of the dry heart shape and press it into the wet clay. They adhere to each other beautifully. Next I painted it with red oxide acrylic paint and did a gold rub on top.

After painting it, I decided to apply some holographic foil to it. Now on to painting the rest of the art.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Add a Dash of Micro Beads

I love micro beads and mixing them with Creative Paperclay®. It is like adding jewels to my projects. And this trick is so easy.

SUPPLIES
Silicone mold
Polymer medium
Micro beads
Creative Paperclay®

Coat the mold with the polymer medium. While wet, sprinkle the beads evenly. Immediately press in the paper clay, remove and let dry.

Depending on the project I use the clay natural or color it ahead of time. Great for collage elements, ornaments or gifts.

Dream in color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Giving a New Face to an Old Piece of Art

Oh, my. I have so many art remnants from teaching, writing art books and experimenting. Periodically I go through them to either experiment more or to give them a new life. Man Oh Man, It's raining men, started as a piece from one of my books, Alternative Art Surfaces.

SUPPLIES

Piece of old art
Creative Paperclay®
Stamps
Stencil
Cast objects
Acrylic paint

I applied a wash of gesso over the surface to back down the image. This helped me to reclaim it and give start a new narrative. My work is all about the story.

After braying a sheet of Creative Paperclay® onto my surface, I stamped, stenciled and added cast objects. The flower was a dry cast Creative Paperclay® object while the others were damp when applied to the surface. I smooth out areas with a little water on my fingers. I wanted the escutcheon to be partially buried in the clay to give the feeling of age.

  Once it has dried, I coated it with a layer of polymer medium matte to seal the clay before painting. I finished it by lightly applying foil to the piece.

Reclaim an old piece of art that you have lying around your art space and enjoy the process of starting again.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy

Cast & Scupted Creative Paperclay Floral

Being a mixed media artist allows me to expand my techniques and art aresenal. I would have a lot less art stuff if I stuck to one media but I love it all. One thing I love to do is to finish off my art with texture and I achieve this with both cast and suclpted Creative Paperclay®.

SUPPLIES

Acrylic paint
Silicone molds
Creative Paperclay®
Sculpting tools
Soft gel

Before casting my objects, I mix a dark blue acrylic paint in a bag with my Creative Paperclay®. It keeps my hands clean and allows me to mix the two completely. Then I apply the colored clay to my silicone mold and let it dry thoroughly. At that point I can glue them to my surface with a soft gel. The bees on the right hand side of the papers were also done this way. I finished them off by rubbing a lighter color of paint on them.

I lightly dampened the surface of the painting then applied the clay in the shape of an orchid. Using several different tools, I started blocking in the shape and smoothed the edges with water on my fingers. When finished, I let dry then painted it with my acrylics.

Dream in Color!

Darlene Olivia McElroy