Andrea Matus 4/7/14 Andrea Matus 4/7/14

A Rose by any other name - altered journal tutorial

Rose Book Tutorial using stencils.

Here's a little tutorial for you for a little journal I made using my "A Rose by any other name" Stencil (available at StencilGirl Products)

I know you're going to want to know where some of these goodies came from:
•the metal filigree on the left hand side was made using the Petite Monarch diecut and metal foil from Spellbinders

•the swirly rhinestones came from Prima Marketing, it was something I had picked up years ago and just lay in wait for the right time to be used - so I can't tell you if they still carry that product or not.

•the tattered fabric was just a piece of cheesecloth from the grocery store that I separated and tea stained. It was glued into the inside cover, which was then covered over with more decorative papers.

•the semi-translucent leaves I made by creating a resin paper from one of my favourite handmade papers, then cut it into leaf shapes and glued it under the rose. There's a tutorial for how to make resin papers from Susan Lenart Kazmer here

•the added accent on the rose that creates an almost enamelled look to the edges was created by using a bit of Glossy Accents by Ranger (dries clear but maintains some dimension)

Geek Speak Alert!

Styrene is also known as ethenylbenzene, vinyl benzene and phenylethene. Approximately 25 million tons (55 billion pounds) of styrene were produced in 2010. I have no idea how many roses you could make with 55 billion pounds of styrene. E6000 will "melt" polystyrene....this tends not to be a good thing.

Thanks for stopping by......I think I'll leave you with a song...

Corazon Ardiente: The burning heart of virtue

Allegories of Vice & Virtues: mixed media journey through analog collage. Join the class @shakeragalley in Mineral Point WI this September!

“Masquerade of the Mind” I think every parent of children that have been brought up in the era of the internet, the influencer and the smart phone has had to have several conversations around truth, authenticity and projections of reality that actually have nothing to do with reality at all. This piece, 'Masquerade of the Mind', captures that struggle. It's about the layers we hide behind, sometimes so entangled in our own stories that the line between real and imagined blurs. Behind every gaze lies a battle of truths and deceptions. The central eye symbolizes insight, but it's clouded, dripping with the weariness of keeping up appearances. This isn't just art; it's a mirror reflecting the facades we all wear. It's raw, it's real, and maybe it's also a bit of a wake-up call to anyone who's ever felt lost behind their own mask. #cutandpaste #matusart #analogcollage #DiscoverArt #virtueandvice #MixedMediaArt #ArtCollectors #ArtThatInspires #ModernMythos #parenting #parentingintheeraofsocialmedia #interiordesign #mixedmediaart #collageart #collagecommunity

"Inquisition of Self - next in the Allegories of Virtues and Vice Series At times, our self-perception is cloaked in myth, veiling the starkness of reality from our own eyes. This self-crafted narrative becomes so ingrained that it seeps deep into our psyche, making the act of unveiling not just difficult, but a process of self-extraction. It requires us to not only remove the blindfold but to accept the void it reveals, signaling the beginning of a painstaking but necessary healing process. Through this journey, we may uncover the raw truth of our identity, hidden beneath layers of fiction. In weaving our personal myths, we unknowingly forge a blindfold—our cloak of illusion—into a piercing presence within the psyche, a self-inflicted wound of perception. To excavate ourselves from this entanglement is to embark on a profound odyssey. It demands that we peel back the layers, peer into the shadows where deeper truths hide, and confront the daunting task of transformation. Recognizing and unraveling the depths of our veils is a testament to our commitment to wholeness and the clarity of true sight. #cutandpaste #matusart #analogcollage #DiscoverArt #virtueandvice #MixedMediaArt #ArtEducator #ArtCollectors #ArtThatInspires #ModernMythos #mixedmediaart #collageart #collagecommunity #fineart

“Serenity of the Sibyl” - next in the Allegories of Virtues and Vice Series Maybe I’m trying too hard to embody this phenomenon right now, but this piece is all about the essence of inner peace amid what can sometimes feel like the unwavering assault of existence. Enthroned upon the lotus of enlightenment, the Sibyl serves as the emblem of tranquility. Her gaze, introspective and deep, is unfazed by the serpentine entanglements that rise above; she is aware of their existence, yet unfazed. She represents the enlightened mind that remains still in the heart of turbulence. The droplets and intricate motifs echo the ebb and flow of life's complex tapestry, while she remains a pillar of unwavering calm in the labyrinth of life. #cutandpaste #matusart #analogcollage #DiscoverArt #virtueandvice #ArtWithSoul #MixedMediaArt #TimelessTales #ArtEducator #ArtCollectors #ArtThatInspires #ModernMythos #mixedmediaart #collageart #collagecommunity #goldenartistcolors