"her maiden voyage"
by Ann Barnes
on her maiden voyage
all things bright and new
the sea of unchartered waters
drew her in yet made her blue
the currents tried to pull her
swirling this way and that
but she held steady to her course
knowing things, they do not last
of the many experiences, seen and heard
the parts that she holds tight
were the simple acts of kindness
the ones that made things right
it's the inner peace that matters
the one she's always had
the faith and hope and love,
putting good above the bad
her maiden voyage has ended
she has weathered the storm
and emerged victorious
for she has found her own
Oftentimes, all it takes is a bit of sorting through the basket of Relics & Artifacts resin blanks to find inspiration. I enjoy locating a piece that speaks to me in some way, and then envisioning how I can bring those feelings and ideas to life.
The Meerschaum Reliquary Kit is comprised of four pieces, the maiden cameo is one of them. I envision this beautiful female silhouette in my own unique version of a "cameo" by pairing the maiden with a striking piece of agate I have in my stash of treasures.
In my vision, I see the maiden rising from the stone, as a silhouette is raised from the background in a traditional cameo. To do this, I concentrate on sanding and filing down the Relics & Artifacts resin blank so that there is no surround remaining, only the maiden. I paint the maiden, add crackle, and a layer of dark wax to accentuate the small cracks, giving her a time worn appearance.
I add layers of brass and copper VerDay paint and patina solution, creating a wonderful blueish green patina among her locks. These colors emulate the beautiful layers of the agate.
She rises from the agate which is suspended from a butter soft piece of deerskin leather and an aged brass bead.
My hope is for you to draw inspiration from the Relics & Artifacts blanks.
To allow them to tell their stories through your eyes, and your art.
~Ann