Creative Carte Blanche - Video Inspiration - Whimsical Shadow Box

Hi everyone. I'm super excited about this month's creative adventure hosted by Linda Ledbetter over at Creative Carte Blanche. The theme is "Video Inspiration", specifically the video below...





What an amazing, artistic, beautiful video it is. I can't stop watching it, and my eyes well up with tears every single time. Some things have this effect on artists, while others simply cannot relate. My husband, for example, watched it and got nothing out of it. Nada. He just didn't see what was so great about it. Funny how different we are, eh?



I was inspired by the overall feel of the video and the way it made me want to step into that world and wander around. When that tiger jumped onto the piano and we see the wide shot of the stage with all the surrounding tropical flowers and plants, that's when I made a soft little gasp.


My vision was to create a whimsical, fantasy-like shadow box display. Out to the garage I went to find something in my stash. I had this pretty frame (which mimics the style of the grand theatre in the video) and a configurations box which fit perfectly behind the frame.


I fussy cut gorgeous imagery from several different Graphic 45 paper collections (Safari Adventure, World's Fair, and later, some blue butterflies from Botanical Tea...remember Elton John's jacket covered in them?)


To add a touch of whimsy, I accented all the cut pieces with a silver Wink of Stella pen. Hard to see here, but this added a slight shimmery sparkle around the edges.


That sky in the video. My goodness I wish I could recreate it. It was beyond gorgeous. I cut a piece of watercolor cardstock to fit into my shadow box (around 6" x 8") and swirled Stormy Sky Distress Ink in random areas.


Then Wild Honey in the open areas. Did you notice how the clouds weren't white in the video? They're a golden orangy-brown. I rubbed a little Rusty Hinge along the bottoms of my clouds.


Then a bunch of spritzes of water, plus some Antique Bronze Mica Spray for shimmer.


The colors melded and flowed nicely. This is a close-up of one small section.


I have to admit, I experimented quite a bit before finding that feel I was looking for. Here's my rejects. I even tried Yupo to see if I could get an interesting outcome. Nope. Scary.


After adhering my watercolor background into the back of the box, I layered in some hot air balloons with several layers of foam tape. The tiger is glued to the inside of the configuration box's lid.


I removed the lid to work with the other elements. Colored stars in a daytime sky? Yes please. Remember the stars hanging from the ceiling in the video? Then some tropical foliage and flower layered into the lower right corner, each one with foam tape for dimension.


Then I started going crazy and forgot to take photos along the way, but I think you get the point. I added some elements behind the box lid and others in front. I also enhanced the colors of my cut-apart pieces with bright Distress inks to really make them pop.


My pretty frame needed some antiquing, so I rubbed some Metallic Lustre on the raised edges. 


I glued the frame to the box with strong glue, then continued to shape and layer elements to the frame like those blue butterflies and more tropical flowers. I should mention that I painted the sides of the configurations box with an antique gold paint.


Here's another look at the finished piece. 

Now it's your turn to join us in this fun challenge! Be sure to upload your art to the Creative Carte Blanche September Adventure page here.


Thanks for stopping in today. Have a fabulous weekend!


Comments

  1. Fabulous piece, Annette! I thought of the G45 Safari collection almost immediately when I saw the video! It's perfect! Love the addition of your butterflies too!

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  2. Help!! I'm caught in a loop. This piece makes me want to go back and watch the video and the video makes me want to come back and view your art. Seriously, I'm just wild about your shadow box. Well done, chica!

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  3. Annette, I am like you, I can't stop watching. I see something different and beautiful every time. Thank you for sharing this inspiration with us.

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  4. Not quite sure how I missed this! I really love how the sky turned out, you managed to interpret it so well and the tiger is just fabulous, as are the gorgeous tropical flowers... my favourite bit has to be the butterflies though on your wonderfully antiqued frame - a wonderful interpretation of the theme! Anne x

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  5. Not quite sure how I missed this! I really love how the sky turned out, you managed to interpret it so well and the tiger is just fabulous, as are the gorgeous tropical flowers... my favourite bit has to be the butterflies though on your wonderfully antiqued frame - a wonderful interpretation of the theme! Anne x

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  6. Thank you for showing us your step-by-step to this beautiful framed creation!

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  7. Wow Annette! What a gorgeous project! The inky background looks amazing! Love the jungle scene! All the butterflies fluttering about look fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration!

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