"Words have Power"

($40.00.....6" x 6"....mounted on a 1/8" depth clayboard panel)


"The pen is mightier than the sword because words hold the power of life and death." I can't take credit for this entire quote, but the additional words magnify the meaning. Actually, both the sword and the pen have the power of life and death. The only difference is that words can kill without shedding one ounce of blood. That is the part that is sobering.

When using very dark colors with pouring medium, the piece can quickly become overpowering. This can be compensated for by placing a piece of transparent collage over a portion of the color blocks or stamping an image over them. In this case, I used a stamp with lines of texture that look like words in a foreign language. Those straight lines have a "quieting" effect over overpowering areas.

In order to stamp on this surface, you will need to prepare the piece just as you would for lettering because the surface is shiny and slick. Mix (2) parts water to (1) part gel matte medium with a palette knife. Secure your paper to a surface with removable tabs or a glue stick so that you are free to blow dry the piece with your left hand while brushing the medium on with your right hand. This is necessary to cause the medium to attach to the slick surface.

I used Speedball Printing Ink which will need to be sprayed with Spray Acrylic Coating before preparing the piece for hand lettering. (Prepare the same way as for the stamping.) Even though I have stated all of this before, it never hurts to go over it again and again. Mixed Media is all about how to go from one layer to the next. Part of that process is knowing how to secure one layer (if there's anything that will be disturbed) before moving on to the next. Just a few more things to think about.

Please contact me personally to inquire about this piece.