What Makes You Glad?

“Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.”- Hafiz of Shiraz

It’s been cold, snowy and in my humble opinion, a dreadfully extended winter. On this first day of Spring we are once again under a Weather Advisory with snow is in the forecast. I keep reminding myself that, at last, March is here. I am more than ready for longer and warmer days. The first day of spring, for me, is forever linked with the Persian New Year festival of Nowruz. Starting on the day of the vernal equinox and literally meaning "new day", Nowruz celebrations continue for two weeks ending with an outdoor picnic. Inspired by the holiday, I couldn’t wait to start my next Artistcellar Design Team project.

Although too cold in many parts of the country for a picnic, I wanted to send some warmth through the mail. Junk mail is a plethora of inspiration for mixed media artists. Digging through my collection of envelopes, I decided to recycle one with a window. I masked out the cellophane opening with surgical tape and started my background with a textured natural sponge and Dylusion Paints. Once the background was dry, I started stenciling.

The Artistcellar stencil range is known for its diversity.  You will always find just the right stencil to create inspired work. This time I wanted to feature the flying dragonflies and cherry blossoms of the Traditional Japanese series. I used the Playful Pods as a hint of what the envelope would hold. The stencils effortlessly conveyed the spirit of all things fresh and new.

Recently I have been experimenting with used tea bags. I have been exploring different techniques…trying to get a feel of what works and what doesn’t. I chose two of my bags to use as seed packets. Keeping with tradition, I filled one with wheatgrass. I packed the other with forget-me-not seeds. They will show through the window when I get them ready to mail. An added bonus…my surgical tape mask is now washi tape for use with another project.

It’s been difficult getting through the dark days of winter. But with the first day of spring and the celebration of Nowruz I now have a good excuse to fill the house with hyacinths and tulips. And here is my wish for you: I hope you surround yourself with all that makes you glad to be creative and alive. Happy Spring!

MATERIALS USED

• ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: PLAYFUL PODS SERIES, QUASICRYSTALS SERIES, TRADITIONAL JAPANESE SERIES 
• HANDCUT STENCILS 
• RUBBER STAMP ALPHABET 
• PLAID ACRYLICS: Sunflower, Royal Gold 
• DECOART: Blue Harbor 
• DINA WAKLEY MEDIA ACRYLIC: Blushing 
• DYLUSIONS PAINT: Vibrant Turquoise, Fresh Lime, Crushed Grape, Squeezed Orange, Bubblegum Pink 
• SURGICAL TAPE 
• NATURAL SPONGE 
• COSMETIC SPONGE 
• JUNK MAIL ENVELOPE 
• TEA BAGS