Fushcia Explosion

[lkbraa]

I had a vision...I know...makes me nervous too - lol! I have all these photos of flowers from around my yard and I was trying to figure out how to create something with them. So this is what I came up with....

The photo is kinda hard to tell what it is, making one stare at it a lit'l longer...or hoping so, anyway. I wanted to mix the media up by using my scrollsaw and applying dots to it, but adding a lot more depth than my other 'dots'. Here's the initial photo I took a couple years ago when my azalea bushes were in full bloom....gotta luv the explosion of color!

[lkbraa]

I blew the photo up on my printer to 23" x 18" and attached to 3/4" MDF. Using a #5FDUR I started cutting it apart. Kinda tricky with the larger size, but was able to cut it into five or six initial sections, and then went back in and cut the remaining pieces...ending up with 60+ individual pieces.

[lkbraa]

Anyone that has worked with MDF knows all about the dust, very fine dust, and lots and lots of it!!! Even with a respirator I have to admit it was tough on the lungs and had to take several breaks. I wanted to add A LOT of depth, so some of the pieces were sculpted down to 1/8" thickness in certain areas. I used a combination of a flex drum sander, belt sander, mouse and dremel with various bits. Final sanding was done with my mouse and by hand - starting with 120 grit, 240 and finally 320.

~ Kim

[lkbraa]

After two days of serious sawdust I finally got it glued back together again. I was hoping by using a #5 FDUR I could eliminate any gaps when putting the segmentation back together, but no such luck. However, they were minimal, and a little homemade filler from wood glue and the sawdust, I was able to fill most of the small areas.

After drying, I sealed the edges with two coats of wood glue and water (3 to 1 parts), as I wanted a real smooth surface as I do not plan (at this time) to frame it. Once dry, I sanded with 240, then 320 grit sandpaper. Applied three applications of basecoat black acrylic paint, sanding after each coat.

After a serious dusting, I started applying the dots using tubes of fabric paint - as I luv the texture these paints leave, adding another dimension to the piece.

Sorry the picts are a not the best, hope to take some better ones as I get further along.

Any comments are more than welcome!
Thanx for letting me share ~ Kim

[Ron Standley]

Wow, great job.

[Wood Dog]

Holy cow, you are serious about your dots.........and have some fine eyeballs, and steady hands. Your project is just amazing, and I'm looking forward to the final outcome.

[ekmouse]

That is absolutely amazing. What a clever idea!

[wood-n-things]

No wonder I have not heard from you. Nicely done!

[Wood Diva]

Really cool. And you use FABRIC paint? I would have never thought of that. But now the wheels are turning (can you hear the squeaking) - I love finding new painting techniques. Painting is the whole reason I started scrolling in the first place.

Love your work, it's is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

[ArtworksIII]

Originally Posted by Wood Dog

Holy cow, you are serious about your dots.........and have some fine eyeballs, and steady hands. Your project is just amazing, and I'm looking forward to the final outcome.

I'm astounded by this work beautifulSome day I'll learn your techniques!!!