Simply Perfect Creative Canvas Layers with Rachel Whetzel

Hello, out there in Creativeland!! It's Rachel Whetzel, here. Once in a while, I feel like a project is so simple, it's probably TOO simple. Then I remember that simple can sometimes be totally AWESOME, and this is that kind of simple. My project today is part of a project I'm working for Gauche Alchemy, and it is the background canvas for a different piece of artwork. Today, I'll show you just how simple it is to use Creative Paperclay® as part of a mixed media canvas. This is the kind of project you can have your kids do. It's also great for beginners who want to amp up their art work, and make something they are pleased with. It's also perfect for projects with limited time. It's Simply Perfect. (see what I did there...?)

WHAT YOU'LL NEED to make your own canvas:

• A sturdy canvas. I have plywood cut at my local hardware store, then I cover it with dictionary paper
• Creative Paperclay®
• Paints. I use Folk Art acrylic craft paints.
• Stain. I used Valspar antiquing stain
• Paint brushes
• Embellishments. I used a butterfly wall cling I bought from the Dollar Tree years ago.
• Texture. For this piece, I used a doily I bought at a yard sale.

Get your canvas surface wet, and layer your clay onto it. In order to get the right shape for my doily, I traced it onto the canvas before I started putting on clay. 

 Next, I pressed my doily into my still moist clay.

 Then I carefully lifted it out of the clay. If you find that clay has stuck to your cloth, rinse well with water while the clay is still wet, and it will come out easily. Allow your clay to dry, and then get to work painting on some layers!

I painted my colors on, and then used stain to add dimension to the doily. Topped off with a butterfly and some dotted swirls, and my canvas is ready to go!! Be sure to check in at  Gauche Alchemy in August, to see the completed piece I am creating using this background! 

Thanks for reading! If you'd like to keep up with me, and see more of what I'm up to, I'd also love it if you'd visit MY BLOG and Subscribe! You can also find me on FACEBOOK!