It was such an honor being asked to be the guest artist for the amazing Sandra Evertson that I wanted to make something special using one of my favorite color combinations of blue, purple and gold. 

Before I could get to that point, however, the project began with layers of paint in just about every color. Lots and lots of layers.

I did this by taking a technique I learned from Seth Apter a few years ago and modifying it to my own style. First I took two sheets of coldpress watercolor paper and tore one into a smaller rectangle. Then, I dry brushed layer after layer of acrylic paint onto both sheets, drying the paint between the layers. I didn't count, but I probably applied at least 25 layers. Sometimes it can be hard to stop! 

I also added texture by making marks on the papers with washi tape, stamps and pens. 

Next I applied black gesso to a face from Sandra's Visage II Set. After it was dry, I applied gold crackle.

While the crackle dried, I made my lightning bolt from some cardboard. I then covered it with gold sheet metal and added black ink to it to give it texture and define the edges.

In my stash I found some copper colored metal fiber. I sprayed these with blue and purple ink. After the fiber dried, I pulled it into wispy cloud shapes. Then, I threaded gold thread throughout the clouds. 

Once the crackle on the face was dry, I rubbed black paint over it.

Next, I printed and cut out my title, inked it with light brown ink and finished the edges by adding ink and Black Magic Embossing Powder and activating the powder with a heat gun. 

I then painted an old frame with black paint and rubbed metallic wax over the edges.

To assemble the piece, I used adhesive foam to give the layers extra dimension. I also added glue to the foam to ensure all the layers would stay in place over time. 

I want to give a special thanks to Sandra for asking me to be a guest designer. I have long admired Sandra's products and look forward to creating many more magical things. 

Great Stuff

• Visage II Resin Face

• Coldpress watercolor paper

• Black gesso

• Gold crackle

• Acrylic paint

• Emerald Creek Black Magic Embossing Powder

• Metallic wax

• Sheet metal

• Cardboard

• Old frame

• Copper fibers

• Gold thread

• Spray ink

• Black and brown ink

• Stamps

• Adhesive foam

• Beacon Fabri-Tac

  About the artist  

Betsy Skagen (rhymes with toboggan), is an artist & craft product designer. She lives in Minnesota's arctic Twin Cities with her husband, two kids and two large dogs. She has an eclectic love for mixed media art, mid century graphics, vintage circus items and rusty relics. She just released several mixed media stamps sets with Emerald Creek. You can find Betsy at https://www.BetsySkagen.com.