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Monday 30 August 2010

MEET PISTACHIO

and his friends Yellow Ring, Washer Upper and Alchemist!

Last week Sarah from Art of Moodling and I went to the craft centre in Ruthin, north Wales. There were various exhibitions on display but my favourite was these little recycled metal creatures by LUCY CASSON. So much character and humour in such small pieces, they made me smile :)

Just look at this little guys sewing machine with its plug hanging down.

Balanced on a ruler with a fingerprint decoration.

And stood on a cotton reel.

I bought the brochure for the exhibition and was inspired to make a journal page spread. I scanned and printed some of the images from the brochure.

On the left is PISTACHIO (he is green in real life, I printed in black and white), then there is YELLOW RING, WASHER UPPER and ALCHEMIST.

Aren't they fun!!! Spotted what I used as the border around the page and to write the wording on? Yes, crossword puzzle. I saw it used on EFFIES blog to great effect a while back and stored the idea away for future use.

See that mottled white effect? I put some gesso in a spray bottle, watered it down a bit and sprayed it over the painted background, it settled into this pattern that I kinda like! Will do that again.

18 comments:

Helen said...

I love this! What a great idea to use a crossword, I am storing that one up too... and those critters from the catalogue are so cute...

Effie said...

Those models are fabulous..... oh to be able to create like that! Great journal pages!

joanne wardle said...

too cool!
love your sprayed gesso!! brilliant idea

Carol Q said...

what fab little characters Sue. lovely journal pages. the sprayed gesso is certainly worth trying out!

G Peplow said...

I can see where you're coming from here they are delightful, you have taken it on much further and your pages are beautiful and inspiring. That is going to be a fantastic journal when you have finished all the pages. Love the idea with the sprayed gesso, I only worry that it will gunk up the spray dreadfully, I know! I worry too much about the little things!!

flutterbycrafter said...

Love these pages and the sprayed gesso is a great idea, will try that, thanks.

Kimber said...

Love these pages Sue. Looks like it was a great exhibit to see. What a great tribute to it in your journal. The crossword puzzle idea is brilliant. I may have to borrow that. Really liking the sprayed gesso background too. It's all good!

Anonymous said...

They are just too cute, remind me a bit of the Clangers. Your pages are just wonderful Sue, I am in awe.

Sarah Anderson said...

It was a fab day, and I love the journal pages you did. Mine is still in my head lol!! Sprayed gesso - good idea, must try :)

CuddlyBunny said...

Awesome gesso "technique!"

I love, LOVE, your journal inspiration page! Really outstanding work!

Anonymous said...

It's wondersul to meet Mr Pistachio, and the metal version, too! He sort of reminds me of a weird Spike Milligan illustration.

Superb pages,Sue. I love the background colours,the x word and how you've applied the Gesso. You'll be starting another trend, I think. At first glance, it looks like wax.

Nigel said...

Brilliant pages. I love the slightly washed-out feel of them.

DonnaMundinger said...

Fabulous page and great inpiration. LOVE the gesso spray, may be trying that myself and the fab crossword border and bits. Love it! xxD

Hels Sheridan said...

Those little critters are just sooo cute! I love the ickle sewing machine too... fabby layout... brill idea to print out those little fella's x

Gillian said...

Oh they are gorgeous little models :) and I love your journal pages Sue!

Sid said...

Super stuff and love the models. Your journal pages are great too !!

Zue said...

I love Lucy's metal creatures and also I love your interpretation of the brochure. The background is very interesting, thanks for the close-up and explanation of the technique.

I used to go to Ruthin often and have purchased several pieces of work from there over the years.
We live down in Oxford now and it is such a long way back up to N Wales. I miss it terrible, North Wales, I mean.

I do appreciate you showing evidence of your day out there with Sarah... bet you had loads of fun and laughter.

Sue xx

Unknown said...

Love this post, such wonderful artis work you have spotted love the metal fellas and your jurnal is coming along nicely

love Dawn x