Friday, October 23, 2015

Gothic Windows

I particularly like how this journal page came out. For me, it has just enough Gothic spookiness and not too much traditional Halloween. (Not that traditional Halloween isn't fun-but I have been working on trying to expand my holiday art outside of that box. It is not as easy for me as it is for some people. I think my brain gets stuck in the traditional mode because I love those images and characters. However, I also love real Gothic-not the new skulls and flames and that kind of thing, but the old ruins, and the kind of images that pop to mind when you think of Macbeth or Hamlet.)
Unfortunately the gold metallic paint is reflecting a bit of light on the right side, so the tree I hand painted in isn't very easy to see.
Oh that metallic paint, eh?
The background is a Gelli print that I then stenciled the arches over.
I am really happy with the 2 skulls sitting on the window ledges. I stamped them in black, and then used skin tone gouache over the stamp, and it really left some nice shadow effects. I'm going to add that effect to my toolbox and definitely make more use of it.
 Along the bottom border I used this cemetery die cut. I use 2 copies of this, but cut up and pasted in a slightly different arrangement to make it looks a little more interesting.

And since it is Friday, I am linking this page to Paint Party Friday. Thanks to Kristen and Eva for hosting.
And since there is some architecture in this page, I am also linking it to Art Journal Journey. Thanks to Sheila the guest hostess this month for picking this interesting theme.
Stop by both cites to check out some really interesting and creative pieces of art!
So I still have some photos to show you from a road trip adventure I took 2 weekends ago. Today I have some covered bridge architecture.

There really are some intricate construction techniques going on here.


And a few little more artsy shots.


That's it for me. Hope you have some fun plans for  weekend ahead, and thanks for stopping by my blog.

23 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Fantastic post, love the dark and spooky page, and the photos are great! Something fell off the wall last night, that gave me a fright here! Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

sirkkis said...

Your handmade textures are fab. Love the page. Thanks for beautiful photos.
Happy weekend ♥

Gillena Cox said...

luv your scary "bumps" and awesome autumn leaves


Thanks for dropping in at my blog today

much love...

Valerie-Jael said...

I think I forgot to say thanks for joining us at Art Journal Journey, it's been a hard day up till now! Hugs, Valerie

Christine said...

I am loving your gothic windows and your photos are STUNNING, my favourite are the leaf ones.

Faye said...

Love all the fantastic colors you've used in your post this week. You did a great job with the Gelli print and stencils. Great fall photos.

denthe said...

Great journalpage! Love all the glittery bits and pieces, and you're right, the skintone over the black skulls just gives it that little extra. The quote is great too!

Nancy Chan said...

Lovely reflection image. The colourful leaves are so beautiful!

froebelsternchen said...

Wow.. this page is stunning Erika! Love the shine and the gothic look to it! Terrific! Cool effect with the gouache on the skulls!
Thank you for another fantastic Architecture page for Art Journal Journey and thank you for sharing the photos of this wonderful bridge... amazing!
Hope you have a great weekend !
oxo
Susi

sheila 77 said...

Hello Erika, you are really rocking with the theme. This painting is marvellous with its black bird, the gravestones and the skulls on that fantastic background. It's so effective how you have painted the skulls.
I enjoyed your photographs too, some great architecture there.
Enjoy the weekend!

Giggles said...

Gorgeous artwork. Love the gold texture. I'm not a scully fan, but it is very stylish at the moment, I even see it in home decor! The gold texture is also returning...my mom owned some drinking glasses with a similar texture in gold.Yesterday I saw some very funky similar drinking glasses with a slight difference online. A resurgence of the 60's...So your Halloween piece is very current!! Well done and stunning photos, I feel as though I'm there!

Hugs Giggles

Linda Kunsman said...

LOVE your Gothic art Erika and thank you for sharing the photos of that lovely covered bridge -wow!

Gloria j Zucaro said...

Hi Erika,
I love your "old-Goth" page! So interesting in all it's layers and details.
I am partial to crows/ravens/black birds, so love that along with your fantastic skulls and hand-painted Fall tree.
Thanks for your comments on my blog (:>)

Jo said...

Your photos are exquisite and I like your goth pages. I'm with you. I've had enough of traditional halloween stuff. I usually do not do any art related to halloween. I just alter pumpkins in the most nontraditional way.

Tracey FK said...

those photos are stunning... the colours are amazing... and the page is great fun...a wonderful creative week!!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I never got into Halloween until last year, and I don't really have any preconceived ideas about what traditional vs non-traditional Halloween images should be. However, I really adore those gothic arches and the skulls. I adore the spread, and am a big fan of metallic, too!

Your covered bridges are stunning. I adore the old pegs that appear to hold the covered part together. It was awesome that you thought to take photos of those. Not your typical photos, which made them even more enjoyable. Of course, I simply ADORED the beautiful colors of the season as the leaves were turning. I think I've mentioned, we don't get that here.

kat said...

Such a beautiful piece for this time of year and I love your golden photos full of Autumn light!

DVArtist said...

You should be happy with this page. Simply fabulous!!!!! All the details are perfect. I really enjoy your photos as well. Beautiful place.
Nicole/Beadwright

Indira said...

Your Halloween piece strikes the right balance between spooky and the artistic. The photos are great.

Thanks for visiting my blog and for the lovely comment.

Beth Niquette said...

Your painting has just the right touch for Halloween! I actually like it. Most such things are not my cuppa tea. Your photography is magnificent, too.

Unknown said...

I so appreciate you explaining your creating process. I wish more did this as I was able to look over the piece and see each step you were talking about. This is an awesome piece!

Anonymous said...

I feel like I should head to the catacombs in this page. Spooky underground maze of tunnels and sculls. Boo. xox

Nordljus said...

Wonderful page, I think you achieved what you wanted here, it has a great spooky feel, and I like the Gothic elements. Great photos too, love all the details you noticed.