Guest Designer Barb Black

Hi Everyone!

My name is Barb Black and I’m pleased to be the Guest Designer this month at Gina‘s Designs.

With Spring knocking on the door, my mind turns to tidying up. Not that I ever really do it, but I think about it at least. I’ve been looking around my studio at projects that have been left unfinished. Let me tell you, there is no crime in that! Some things just need a little time to ripen.

I found this 5 x 7” canvas board that I started painting a year or so ago. All I had were the background colors - red, black, gold (which I‘d sponged onto the canvas), and the shadowy guitar that I’d painted in the corner.

Right around the same time, I was going through a stack of old sheet music that I keep around for art projects when the phrase “when whippoorwills” caught my eye, along with a baggie full of Gina’s bird cutouts. Suddenly I found myself in creative overdrive.

I began by painting two of the birds with white acrylic paint. Once they dried I distressed them a little with some metallic copper paint - I just smudged it on with my fingers. Once that dried, I stamped musical notes on them in black ink.

For the flourish, I painted the background layer in black acrylic. I daubed Tsukineko Delicata Gold ink all over the foreground layer, and once it was dry, stamped musical notes on that as well with black ink. I cut out the small piece of old sheet music that had been my inspiration, and adhered it to the back of the largest swirl, giving it a window effect.

I added the musical notes in Delicata Gold ink to my canvas background as well as some music words that I added in beige as a backdrop to the swirl. After that, I glued on the swirl and then glued on the birds and I was done!

It ended up being such a fun project that spoke to my musical and artistic heart. I hope it helps you find some springtime inspiration (especially if you’re stuck in some snowy place!).

‘Til next week… happy creating!

Products used from Gina’s Designs

Birds Shape Set

Layered Flourish Renata

Other Products Used

Amsterdam Acrylic Paints - various colors

Tsukineko StazOn in Jet Black and Cotton White

Tsukineko Delicata Gold Ink

Brilliance Pearlescent Beige Ink

Canvas Board

Beacon 3-in-1 glue