Video –https://youtu.be/s8_ybloaBsI
Hello friends,
Welcome to Sunday’s ART of Truth for February 2025.
This beautiful project was created for my beautiful granddaughter Kenzie. She turned 14 on the 13th of February. I have traditionally made her something for her birthday every year. She has a gallery on her wall of things I have made as well as things she has made.
Last year I did a piece for her called “Becoming HER”. It was all about the story and my hopes for her to continue to pursue who she is. To continue to BECOME herself. This year the theme I was pressed to create around was BLOOM. Let me tell you…she BLOOMS. This girl is a firecracker. She is strong, smart, compassionate, opinionated, and kind. I wanted to remind her of that this year. All the beauty that she is, even as she is still growing and discovering.
As I was creating this piece, I mused about this joyous and yet solemn place as I reflected on who she is. She is in a safe, encouraging, and opportunistic environment. She is loved unconditionally and encouraged to be her best self. She is BLOOMING. I am always struck by the contrast between her experience and my own. These were not my experiences. I was squished down, my emotions ignored, and my hopes constantly fighting to stay ignited. I love the ability and grace to look back and to look ahead. Kenzie is destined for greatness. Will she struggle, yes. Will she make mistakes, yes.
As I was moving through this project and selecting the background papers, I was mindful of what I was choosing and why. I found myself thinking about innocence, promise, and simplicity. As I laid down the background papers, I wanted to have some dark passages of color to be seen in the end. Our journeys have places full of light as well as peppered with darkness and difficulty. My prayer for her is that the things that she is storing up now will help to carry her through those seasons.
I chose a script stencil that had 4 different kinds of fonts. While applying the texture paste through the stencil, I considered the various voices that are, and will continue to be, part of her story and journey. Some of those voices will compete with her own. She will need to sift through them. Those voices will be loud with opinion and will press her to decide for herself what she needs to do.
When considering this processing for myself, I am reminded of how much her daily life includes things that never crossed my mind. There is sadness in that. However, there is GREAT joy to watch her grow. To hear her laugh is pure joy. She is the epitome of purity and innocence.
Additionally, there was a stamp in an image on the background that got covered up by the vase, but I know it is there. I will tell her that it is there. She is going to go places! I bet she travels and will astound us all.
Lastly, obviously, I chose the flowers and the vase for their whimsical feeling because they fit her. I hope she looks at this every day and is reminded of the possibilities.
“She has a love that BLOOMS”
Blessings my friends. In tribute to my granddaughter Kenzie Marie Hood.
Until next time,
Beloved-Reborn
FULL SUPPLY LIST UNDER PHOTOS!
Supplies used:
Liquitex Matte Medium – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-8-Ounce/dp/B000IYWYNE
Liquitex Matte Gel – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Professional-Matte-Medium-16-oz/dp/B000KNJFKS
Liquitex Modeling Paste – This is not what I paid for it. You can choose the Flexible Modeling Paste, it is less expensive on Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Liquitex-Medium-Modeling-Paste-jar/dp/B00A6WM9JC
Golden Fluid Acrylics – Raw Umber & Nickle Azo Yellow – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+fluiud+acrylics&crid=2FZ4KPPHLVAQJ&sprefix=golden+fluiud+acrylics%2Caps%2C182&ref=nb_sb_noss_2
Golden Artist Acrylic – Yellow Ochre. Sap Green Hue, Manganese Blue, & Iridescent Gold Fine – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=golden+artist+acrylic+paint&crid=2KKZZGXU91AQB&sprefix=golden+artist+ac%2Caps%2C190&ref=nb_sb_ss_mvt-t3-ranker_1_16
Liquitex Heavy Body Paint – Muted Green & Muted Pink – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=liquitex+heavy+body&crid=ZH9OM8ZRXMKK&sprefix=liquitex+heavy+body%2Caps%2C184&ref=nb_sb_noss_1
Shawn Petite Stencil – The script stencil I used is old from her shop. It doesn’t look like she carries it anymore.
Amazon Stencil – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B095RYHQKL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1