Midwestern musings：“Uninvited Guest”

Thumbing through my feed I stumbled across a ’Call for Art‘ from Curio Gallery from outside Lisbon, Portugal based on Halloween theme -“ Haunted” . So I threw my hat in the ring, submitted a few of my recent miniature artworks, my portfolio website and was acccepted. “What to conjure up？”I asked myself as I was thumbing through images of haunted folklore and stumbled across black eyed children, a Midwestern phenomena of the 1980s, no I haven‘t seen “Children of the Corn” nor have seen “Stranger Things”. So I browsed some interesting art pieces and wondered what canvas did they work on- glass. So I purchased some small glass panels, Kasse liquid chalk markers and an ornate frame, I already have tons of acrylic paints leftover from junior college and art school plus some scrap felt and a small hammer.

So I begin this creative process..

After researching and references I drew the image with Kassa liquid marker onto the glass, it is erasable but I didn‘t make any errors.

Next I applied dry on dry method with acrylics, when completed it appeared to have been done with palette knives to give an impaste look. Neatness is what I knew about acrylics because I applied it on wooden and cotton canvases, so after completing the image disappointment smeared on my face and made me realize that working on unfamiliar canvases behave differently.

I paused, stepped away and return to it again.

Next I applied iridescent mica powder onto the acrylic portrait, cracked the glass on the right side with a hammer, piece by piece I placed it onto the cardboard enveloped in black felt , placed the frame over it and firmly sealed it.

Applying resin for me felt uneasy for I have not worked with for awhile and one false move can make or break a masterpiece, there is certain amount of time to mix the resin with the hardener or else. So I did as instructed in the sheet and it turned the image a little smeary plus blowdrying it gave it a watery as if picked up from a flooded area. I had mixed feelings about it, so I walked away and let it dry for a day and applied the hanging fixtures on the frame.

It receieved a plethora of good reviews from “Haunted” art exhibitions but it didn’t sell. I was proud of myself to be considered for it marked my first time my artwork appeared in international gallery.

This piece is available in my online shop to a loving art collectors home, use code OPHIMARS to receive 10% off your order, applies to one per customer.

Thank you for reading my blog and thank you for your support. ✨