Love is in the Air

 

We are just a few days away from Valentines Day. Even if you are without a date, boyfriend, partner, it's still a day to celebrate your loves. All of your loves.

I have many loves, both human and otherwise. I love my children (obviously) and I love my mother and all of my extended family, as well as my precious friends. I also love my job, I love creating, I love shoes, and I love coffee. Coffee deserves a second mention.

I'm pretty sure that neither coffee nor shoes will be sending me chocolate or flowers, but that's okay. A long time ago I gave up on the idea that I needed those things for loving validation. Now, that's not to say I would turn them away. Hell to the no. It's just that I will survive without it.

So how is it then that I ended up making an victorian pink mixed media canvas that just screams love and vintage valentines? I'm not entirely sure except to say that I was directly inspired by the uber-talented Patricia da Silva who posted a start-to-finish youtube video right here, that guides you through the process.

I created this mixed media piece on an 11x14" canvas. It turned out a little pinker than I intended but, hey, it's for Valentine's Day, right? I found the cute vintage girl image online and knew she would be perfect for the occasion. I have an Epson Artisan printer and not only does it print beautifully, but I can put Mod Podge over it immediately without any colour bleeding.

Here is a closer look at the heart which I molded from foil, covered in gesso and paint, and then sanded to let bits of the silver shine through. I distressed the heck out of the flowers with water spritzing and paint spattering and random stamping.

I'm not entirely sure what I will do with this Love Canvas since it doesn't match anything in my home, but in a way love matches everything.

 

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