"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