Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Down the rabbit hole

I went to see Alice in Wonderland on Sunday - although there were a few parts that were a little tedious, overall I loved it. I have the original Disney cartoon version on DVD so I had watched that again this past week to get in the spirit. I found it interesting how Tim Burton integrated other things (like the Jabberwocky) into the story - I will admit I was totally mesmerized when Johnny Depp started reciting the Jabberwocky - I had a college professor (my degrees are in English Literature) who could do it brilliantly, and Depp was certainly as good. I can picture Depp doing Shakespeare  - remember Michael Keaton in Much Ado About Nothing!
I began by tearing out the rabbit hole from a piece of watercolor paper. Then I applied a thick coat of gesso with a palette knife and sculpted it to create the tree. While it was still wet (it actually took overnight to dry), I sprayed it with glimmer mist - suede, coffee shop, chocolate cherry, and black gold. I sprayed the rest of the background with green, blue and  peach; and then used some lime paint dabber to add more contrast.
I tore papers and created the hole (edges are inked and/or sprayed to create more depth). I cut the little Alice from a black and white drawing and colored her with pencils (wait until I get my copics!!!).
I then created my garden with a Prima spray and some vintage flowers and leaves. I added the dragonfly (didn't you love the dragonflies in the movie - I had always loved the little horse flies in the cartoon.)
I had 10 things to do last night and instead of doing them, I created this. Oh well.......
I am off to work today at the book store and then run some errands. I should have some items listed on etsy by Thursday - we are going to have company this weekend so I have to put away my craft stuff for a few days as they will be sleeping in my studio so I have to get a lot done in the next couple of days. 
I have a post on the http://thegalblog.blogspot.com/ today - please check it out.
thanks for reading and ttfn,
Chris

21 comments:

Hanneke said...

OOOOOOOOOOOOH Chris!!!! This is GORGEOUS!!! I love it, love the texture and the beautiful colors!! It's my all time fave from you from now on!!!
Have'n't seen the movie yet, the boys don't realy seem intrestet to go, but maybe on of my friends wou;d like to join me!!!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness this is just beautiful Chris!!!!!!!! And the photo shots:) Ok now I really need to see this movie!!!!! Now off to check your other post and I hope you enjoy your company. Have a wonderful tuesday:)

Deana said...

WOW, Chris, that is simply gorgeous work! You are one talented woman! :-)

Jenneke said...

WOW Chris, this is PERFECT!!!!!! Absolutely perfect!!! Thanks sooo much for showing us how you made this!!

And thanks for playing again with us at Shabby!!!

XXXJenneke

Ruth Philps said...

Wow!! This is packed full of texture and poor tiny Alice looks like she is about to fall down the tree.,.......I too saw the movie at the weekend and was mesmerised by it!!

Thanks for playing along with us at Shabby Chris:)

mandysea said...

Wow what a fabulous technique!!
Your tree looks sooo real!! Love this Chris! Thanks for playing along with us at Shabby

Scrappiness said...

OMG this is absolutely stunning!! Love the texture and the originality and thank you for sharing how you made this.

sarah said...

i am patiently awaiting the etsy shop! hehe.

hugs,
sarah.

Chimene said...

I love the texture!!!!!!!
What a gorgeous work!!!!
Thanks for playing along with us at Shabby!
xxxx
Chimene

Julie said...

stunning loving all the texture. Thanks for playing along with us at shabby

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh wow wow wow wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! this is AMAZING Chris!!!! U astound me!!! SERIOUSLY GORGEOUS! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

Deb said...

This is amazing Chris. Your tree looks absolutely fabulous. Very clever.

Bekka said...

I'm digging all the texture going on here...this is so amazing!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm speechless Chris... well, maybe not 'cause I'm going to say that this page is beyond STUNNING!!!! Holy.....

(P.S. did you ever see the tunnel albums Ingrid Dijkers made about through the rabbit hole?)

Maria said...

Chris this is just a masterpiece, oh my gosh this just blows me away....

Timcso said...

Wow, fantastic page and technique! Love it!:)

Thanks for playing with us at Shabby!

Hugs, Tímea

EverydayMe said...

this is just sooooooooo beautiful... tfs!!! {{hugs}} Michelle

Nina said...

Gourgeous work!

JaN's ArTy JouRneY said...

Wow, your creation is gorgeous!! Love the texture!!

zandra said...

Wow, what a great take on the challenge!
hugz, Z

Angela Weimer said...

So beautiful. I love the texture and the coloring you used. thanks for sharing. Angela