Posted on

Translucence

Petals as Paint has transformed into stained glass effect. This one is magical. There are rose petals sunset clouds over trees made from elderberry blooms. A pretty field of blue hydrangea and a hedge of peegee hydrangea petals creates a peaceful scene between two panes of glass – like looking out a kitchen window as the summer sun sets in a blaze of glory. Framed in distressed wood this would look amazing hanging in a window with the sunlight shining through opaque glass. Be still my heart.
There is a lamp behind to give the effect of what it will look like if hung in a window

©Belindabotzong2018
This one will go in Etsy store – search Refind Creations and order the original for $125. There is no other art so natural as Petals as Paint

Posted on

Petals as Paint

The thing I like about art is that 20 people can be given the same exact supplies and be told to do what they will
And 20 different designs will be created!
I was thinking about this as I develop my Petals as Paint technique. It started with picking up seaglass and thinking that scanning it on my printer/scanner would be a cool way to save the look of it rather than photography.
The first scan got me hooked on the idea because if I just took a picture I wouldn’t see the intricacy of a little pile of glass and shells and coral. And I especially wouldn’t see the grains of sand and little debris that surrounds it. It was so magical to me. I started scanning leaves and sticks and all manner of found objects. I fell in love with that degree of detail!
Last spring I started scanning flowers and petals and blossoms and stems.. oh that first scan nearly made me cry. It was so beautiful to see the intricacies of creation and I couldn’t then just throw them out! So I started preserving them. I pressed them the only way I knew– between pages in the Children’s Encyclopedia. That works great most of the time but I didn’t like how long it took. So I read about microwaving. That works instantly and a majority turn out beautifully preserved in color. It reminded me of paint. It’s time consuming but it’s beautiful but not for every flower. And I learned about silica. I tried a little container and it preserves them in their original shape beautifully. So I got a big airtight bucket and more and more silica and soon I was using that bucket for weeks and the petals reminded me of paint strokes. And that made me think.. what if I used the petals as paint? I don’t have my children’s gift of painting with acrylic.. but the petals come in so many hues and shades with little details already built in. All I’d have to do is find a way to stick them on a substrate and arrange them how I want, thus led me to my battle with adhesives! (See an earlier post about that!!!).
So over the past few months this has been my joyous attempt at art. Each one becomes my favorite! And I am hoping they become other people’s favorite!

And now I hope you’ll visit Whatcom Art Market in Bellingham WA to see the originals or go online and shop for products with my designs at society6.com/refindcreations or in my Etsy store which is under construction!!
©Belindabotzong2018
To find the very best adhesives at the best price – I recommend the following:


Acrylic Medium Glossy https://amzn.to/2LCuLsd
Mod Podge https://amzn.to/2RjZ8sU
Krylon Spray Adhesive https://amzn.to/2BMfRLC

Posted on

Works in Process—Lilies of the Field

I’m inspired to play in the petals for a few more weeks before turning back to working on my novel idea and waiting for my palette to be refilled with fresh “paints”!
Here’s what’s in process right now … along with a few more 4×4 Christmas themed tiles coming up next.


So fun!

©Belindabotzong2018
This one looks like the beginnings of Christmas ornaments dangling.

Posted on

Gradient

Another tile almost finished! This one is a gradient mosaic of hydrangea petals on ceramic tile. These will be on sale at Whatcom Art Market starting this week! My space will be transformed and a lot of new creations are on the way!
These designs will be available in print, postcards, and whatever else I can come up with. They make me happy!! Enjoy the Art of Nature ❤️

©Belindabotzong2018

Posted on

Creative Vacation

Doing my art is part of my vacation plan. These have been so popular lately I sold out at the art market! That was amazing! We are going to refill the milk can when we return with my new sunflowers. They are partial to shade and prefer to be out of the rain but they are sturdy enough to be outside. Like many of your real plants they need to be brought in by first frost!!
My space at Whatcom Art Market will be completely redesigned next week so come check it out! Clearance prices on candles and succulents as I transition to a new focus on flowers and seasonal themes. Fall will bring many Refind projects in leaves, rust and roses, and Art Inspired by Nature.

©Belindabotzong2018

Posted on

Autumn Rainstorm


Rainstorms in September are still colored in shades of summer. Black Eyed Susan and a few sunflower petals illuminated by that sunny-rainy mix as autumn approaches illuminates my heart as well
©Belindabotzong2018

Posted on

Garden Palette

Dried, pressed, and preserved flowers, petals, leaves and blossoms serve as the “paint” in this Garden Palette.  A “waterfall” of blue and purple hydrangea, pansies, and blue rock seed flow over “boulders” made of dried rose petals.  A background of “hills” created by a variety of yellow, gold, and brown petals are highlighted by a “sunset” of reds, oranges, yellows and purples from a variety of flowers beneath the edge of the clear blue sky.  Crushed egg shells create a sandy beach.  This will be placed into a shadow box where a “tree” made from elderberry flowers and a “butterfly” Rose of Sharon create a 3D effect.
Garden Palette.3

©belindabotzong2018