Hi everyone!  Norma here with you today to share my latest DecoArt Media project.

Items Needed:

• DecoArt Media Misters - Carbon Black (DMM08-30)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Gesso - White (DMM18-71)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Gesso - Black (DMM19-71)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Clear Matte Medium (DMM20-71)
• DecoArt Media Mediums and Specialty Products - Crackle Paint - White (DMM15-71)
• Assorted Brushes
• 8" X 8" Canvas
• Balsa Wood
• Chipboard Wings
• Wooden Heart
• Baby Wipes
• White Gel Pen
• White Paint Pen
• Black Gel Pen
• Scrap Papers
• White Chalk Pencil
• Utility Knife

Instructions:

This fun mixed media canvas was inspired by my son and his friends. They are all musicians who are passionate about creating and performing music every chance they get.   

To start off, I rummaged through the scraps of papers on my worktable. I found pieces of hymns, book text and polka dotted wrapping paper. I used DecoArt Media’s Matte Medium to adhere them to the canvas. 

Next I grunged it up a bit with black gesso.

After that, I decided on my composition and sketched it out using a chalk pencil. I used the sketch as placements guide as I built all of the layers.

I wanted this canvas to be filled with dimension. I began by creating swirls on the cross using America’s Transparent 3-D Gloss Enamel Writer. I chose transparent because I wanted the background layer to subtly peek through. Once it was completely dry, I added color using a blend of Burnt Sienna, Hansa Yellow Medium and even a little Phthalo Turquoise. I like mixing a variety of colors to create depth.

Moving onto the winged heart! I primed a wooden heart and chipboard wings with white gesso. To paint the wings, I used Titan Buff and Titanium White.

To create interesting texture and depth to the heart, I used white crackle paint and Quinacridone Magenta, Primary Magenta, Pyrrole Red, Orange Hue, Hansa Yellow Medium, Cobalt Teal Hue and Payne’s Gray.

While the winged heart dried, I started working on the guitar. I drew a sketch of a guitar on balsa wood and then used an Exacto Knife to cut it out. Then I cut a second piece for added dimension.

I stained the wood with the Carbon Black Shimmer Mister. I glued the two pieces of balsa wood together with matte medium. I used binder clips to hold the pieces together until the matte medium dried.

To complete the little guitar, I used a white gel pen to doodle all of the flourishes, flowers, frets and guitar strings.

By this time, my winged heart was nice and dry so it was time to put everything together. I attached the beautiful winged heart and then placed the guitar in front of the wings.

To finish things off, I added the quote: Be Fearless in the Pursuit of what sets your Soul on Fire. Then I used Cobalt Teal to accentuate the background a bit. I also added more details with a black gel pen.

That’s it! Thank you very much for joining me today. Don't forget to check out the other design team projects for more inspiration!