Cavalier Lover

Welp... Let's see.

     So I found a pretty old poem I wrote maybe 4 or 5 years ago, I don't remember anymore.

I used to write a lot, i have about 4 journals.. which i'm thinking of burning .. but i digress..

I named the poem Cavalier Lover.

     I came across this picture of Evan Peters and it just struck me as what a cavalier lover would look like and act like:  disinterested, apathetic, careless, arrogant, etc. So I printed and distressed .. maybe a bit too much, the poem and just stuck it on. I used Tim Holtz's Distress Ink in Soot and Vintage Photo.

I would apologize for the lack of clarity, but I without shame admit I was too lazy to take more 

pictures.

       The background colors I chose to match the picture of him and distress the poem to create more of a contrast so it pops up in your face.
        My professor pointed out to me how much I use words in my art and how it is sort of my trademark. I never noticed because I don't do it on purpose. I guess it comes from a subconscious urge to literally express myself.

Since the pictures are blurry, here is the poem.

Cavalier Lover
Captivated, Charmed
Like the sirens who have men hypnotized.
Your voice led the way, followed you into the dark.
You were the serpents alluring disguise.
Downward spiral into the abyss of your grip.
Now caught in a whirlwind of lies.

You're a mess
A torn drifter.
Your riotous and lawless ways of life,
A matchless medley, causing all of your distractions.
The beginning of my strife.

You're now a hoax, a fraud.
You're false love personified,
the Judas who sold me a lie.
Evidence of fabricated tall tales, of love and devotion
Were the smoking gun to this case.
And i truly see now, If I was with you,
It would only be turmoil and dissension I would face.

You're a tool,
A selfish deviant.
Anyone who crosses your path will end up the fool.
You're not who you once were.
I won't betray my beliefs
And love your doppelganger.
I won't let you collect my soul, during the search of your own.
I'm stripping you of your power.
Consider yourself dethroned.
So checkmate, this game is over.
I'll say goodbye to a Cavalier Lover.

             I look back now and it does come off as pretty emotional but I guess that's why we write. I was young and pissed off. But isn't that the best way to be? The point in life is to never let the passion die; to avoid the numbness you inevitably inherit through adulthood.  It is through this fire inside, that anything is possible.
             

Alice Themed Coffin box

The cards are paper mached on.

Artist Spotlight - Alessandra Ferrara

One of the most talented artists I know just happens to be my best friend! She does incredible paintings!

Her Etsy
Her Facebook


Here is an interview of her journey of artisty!


Question:  What do you choose to paint most of the time?

Alessandra: I like to paint characters from fairy tales, fantasy themes, abstract, animals, silohettes and mostly my own spin on Disney characters.


Question: What medium do you choose to use?

Alessandra: Canvas, acrylic paint, oil pastels, oil paint, crayons, chalk, pencils, lenolium, and clay.


Question: How long have you been painting?

Alessandra: I have been drawing since I can pick up a pencil, so I would say about 2  or 3 years old. I have been painting professionally since 2009.


Question: What are some things that inspires you to paint?

Alessandra: When I see beautiful scenery, when I hear a song and I want to express how it makes me feel, and colors and Disney, which I have loved since I was 3.


Question: What made you decide to start painting?

Alessandra: Well I've loved Disney since I was 3 and became interested in the animation process later on. I went through private lessons in the 2nd grade and in kindergarten I started using mock animation.


Question: What artists have inspired you?

Alessandra: Composer Alan Menchken, Painters Degas, Monet and Seurat


Question: What do you think makes you different from other young artists of today?

Alessandra: I like to mix techniques and see myself as very versatile rather than sticking to one niche.


Question: Where do you see Allie In Wonderland Shops in the future?

Alessandra: I will still be painting. I would like to open up my own brick and mortar shop where I can sell my work and instruct lessons and having an official website.

Opening an Etsy

I decided to open an Etsy shop, Let's see how it goes!

www.etsy.com/shop/mysteriumstore

Well it all started when I went to the NYC tattoo convention this year. I saw the beautiful artwork they had and it inspired me to try some work of my own. Started getting into it alot more and figured I'd share it with others.

The Octopus logo comes from the Octopus being my favorite animal. It represents magic, diversity, adaptability, spirituality and mystery. Hence the name of the shop, Mysterium, which means Mystery in Latin. It's not a full time job, but I enjoy it as a hobby and am excited to watch it grow <3

Only Drunks and Orphaned Children Understand The Devil's Side of The Story

Saw this picture and loved. Since the picture was sepia-toned , I decided to use a brown border.   

Love Will Light The Way

This is my first attempt at a canvas transfer. I've seen a couple of different ways to do this but decided to stick with the Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium.

You use it the same way you would with wood, which is just flipping your image on the computer, printing it on a laser printer (which is important, inkjet photos do not come out as crisp) and brushing the Photo Transfer Medium image down and brushing out all the bubbles.

When it was time to peel away the paper, I had to put a pile of books underneath my canvas to prevent the sides from caving inward and denting. 

Definitely did not come out as "clean" as it does with wood, assuming due to how textured canvas is, so I decided to make it a mixed media piece to sort of camouflage the distressed markings left on the photo from scrapping the paper off.

You Are My Unforgettable

I always loved the look of a blank wooden box. I look at it and see so much possibility, it's almost overwhelming. 

This is a box from AC Moore and it is not a transfer. The top's base is painted and the rest of the box is a paper pattern I printed with a Laser printer. 

     The two envelopes, the lace and rhinestones are all attached with gorilla glue.

The letters I cut out of patterned cardstock paper, used distress ink and a stamp set I got from Michael's. Those are attached with Mod Podge Gloss finish.

  

I Mod Podged the entire box and noticed it was difficult to open even after it had dried for days. I had to open it with a knife and I sanded the edges and repainted them so it would be easier to open the box. I didn't notice it in person, but looking at the photos you can see the little flecks still in the box from me sanding it. Next time I might try the Matte finish, maybe that will make a difference.

The scroll I made from computer paper and a stamp. I stamped both sides of a strip of computer paper I crumbled up and flattened out. Then used Distress Ink to make it look aged and frayed the edges. Then I took a piece of string and rolled it in the Vintage Photo Distress Ink pad to make it look old and dirty.

The bottom of the box is a postcard. The top of the box is a couple of letters as well and put a picture of Bettie Page inside, not only because she is awesome but it also portrays a retro/vintage feel I was going for.