I love the idea of creating memorial art in a way that honors the person referenced. Ruth’s namesake and grandmother is the focal point of this piece of art. In using her grandmother’s favorite color Ruth not only honored her but also celebrated her. We challenge you to create a piece of art much like this, and honor the person featured in the way you see fit.
acrylic paint, assorted colors
baby wipes
black perle cotton thread
book text
circular texture stamp
cup or lid
gel medium
gesso
ledger paper
muslin
needle
paintbrush
palette
pencil
photograph
wood board, 4" × 7" (10cm × 19cm)
Paint a board with gesso and let dry. Add text by applying gel medium to the back and adhering.
Paint the entire surface with Titanium White paint and use a baby wipe to remove paint and expose the text.
Paint Cadmium Red along one edge of a 31⁄2" × 31⁄2" (9cm × 9cm) strip of muslin. Allow to dry.
Use a circle texture stamp and Cadmium Red paint to stamp on a piece the muslin. Let dry.
Layer the two pieces of fabric over a piece of ledger paper, and add a photograph to the top of the bundle.
With black perle cotton thread and a needle create cross-stitches through the layers to attach the photo to the layers. Set aside.
Put one teaspoon of gesso on your palette and then with the rim of a plastic cup or lid, stamp the rim into the gesso, then stamp it onto the board to create circles. Allow to dry completely.
Mix one part Raw Umber to one part water to create a color wash, brush it over the entire surface and wipe away excess with a baby wipe.
Using a graphite pencil highlight the circumference of the circles.
Cut various words out of a book or write words on paper, and adhere them to the painted surface using gel medium.
Apply heavy gel medium to the back of the paper and fabric collage, and place it in the center of the board to complete the collage.