Don't you love when things just come together perfectly?I was asked to participate in this week long blog hop with StencilGirl and Lesley Riley's TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) and I was already planning to experiment with creating a graffiti style piece inspired by this adorable image of Yoshi, my future dog guide foster puppy.
I've always got TAP in my stash, and knew it was the perfect tool for what I was planning! I took the image into Photoshop, cropped it and played around until I had the graffiti look I was going for. Then, following the instructions that come with the transfer paper*, I printed my image and transferred it to a piece of muslin (I wanted the off white colouring for Yoshi's face).
*I won't go into details because Lesley does it much better than I could.
See the links at the bottom of this post for more information about TAP.
Here is what the transfer looks like on the muslin. I love the bright, vibrant colour and clarity!
I knew I wanted to stretch this piece over a canvas frame, so I added some elements that would go off beyond the main image so that they could be seen on the sides of the finished stretched canvas. I fussy cut some bricks and auditioned them in random places. (tip: I use my iPhone to take pictures as I go so I can compare and select the placement I like best and then remember how to get back to it!)
I also cut out Yoshi's name in navy fabric to make it stand out a bit more.
It was now time to add some stencilling using acrylic paint.
I used Terri Stegmiller's Broken Circles and her Heart Grid stencils. In order to have control over exactly where I placed the elements, I masked off individual elements using post-it notes.
I added the acrylic paint using a sponge brush.
I realized a needed something else, so I pulled out Seth Apter's Inside Out stencil. Seth has some wonderful stencil designs that are perfect for graffiti work!
Once the paint dried, I was ready to fuse on the bricks and letters. (IMPORTANT: use the release paper included with the TAP if you are going to iron over the transferred image!)
Over to the sewing machine...I layered the piece with batting and free motion stitched around the bricks, loosely doodling the lines. 
Next, I set the machine to do satin stitch, but I kept the free motion foot on and the feed dogs down so I could get a more 'grungy' look to my stitch as I outlined the letters for Yoshi's name.
It's now ready to be stretched and stapled to the pre-stretched canvas. 
I really like the look of the elements that carry over to the side of the canvas.
This was really fun and I'm thinking of working on a bit of a graffiti series, perhaps making a piece like this for each of the puppies I foster. First on the agenda will be to go back and get a favourite image of Dime, my first foster puppy!
Here are the other stops on today's hop:
If you missed the other stops on this week long hop, head back to Monday's StencilGirl Talk post so you can find them all! Have fun!
Don't forget to leave a comment at each of the blog hop stops for a chance to win these fabulous prizes!
Links:
Love your Yoshi art, Linda!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant colors and lovely layers!
I have never used this technique and it sounds like lots of fun! Would love to try it! nydia1@cox.net
ReplyDeleteI really like the layers. I've used TAP a lot for single items but never like this. Thanks Linda - gives me lots of new ideas.
ReplyDeleteYour fab stitching adds so much to the piece!...bea
DeleteYou know I love that Yoshi!- the photo you picked is just adorable! She looks like she is just waiting for a sloppy kiss to be given!!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are doing a series and look forward to seeing Dime's canvas also!
love the stencils you used Linda- very clever and brilliant project TFS! ")
This might just be the most adorable thing EVER!!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great project. I loved all the detail!
ReplyDeletedeardeniseh(at)yahoo(dotcom)
Love the way this looks. You make it seem simple :-).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Yoshi is thrilled to be immortalized on a piece of canvas. Love it.
ReplyDeletethanks for giving foster dogs a home. And thanks for sharing a great project.
Wow this is super cool!
ReplyDeleteYoshi is a real cutie. Great technique using the TAP.
ReplyDeletegreat tribute to Yosui, thanks for the give away
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! What a wonderful project! I love the graffiti effect!! This is a great idea to do with a photo of my dog who passed away earlier this year.
ReplyDeleteThis turned out so cool! Love all your layers of colors and patterns, and just a beautiful finished product!
ReplyDeleteLinda, thank you for sharing..really like the cut out name and stitching..and love Yoshi! Did you add the colors in photoshop? Stencils are great, too. rtilinsk at mail dot win dot org
ReplyDeleteWonderful project! I agree that the 'over the edge' bits work well. Using TAP on fabric would be perfect for my collages. It's on my list.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. I like the idea of using it on multiple layers. Have to try it!
ReplyDeleteso vibrant & gorgeous!
ReplyDeletebeautiful
ReplyDeleteI have a husband who would love to get one of these with his dog, Butch!
ReplyDeleteI love this. I love Yoshi. I love watching your foster pups grow.
ReplyDeleteWow Linda Kittmer! You make me want to do this. It's like painting graffiti & photo transfers on one piece of art work. LOVE the way you added the bricks to the side to give it a finished & interesting look. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteopps, Beth cbfigiel@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAs I told Kristen, I'm getting so many cool ideas to try. Now to make the time to try them all.
ReplyDeleteadorable! thanks for the inspiration!!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing Yoshi on this piece. Fun way to use the TAP and stencils.
ReplyDeletehow cool is that!!!
ReplyDeleteLove your wonderful project.
ReplyDeleteYoshi is a cutie! love what you did here with all your layers!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me smile! Yoshi must be a special pup! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great memory piece. I think the graffiti look really jazzes it up, the stencilling adds just the right touches. Love it! And I can see a series in your future. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat project!
ReplyDeleteAmazing piece here. I love all the graffiti elements, the bricks in the background and of course Yoshi. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteSweet ode to Yoshi...love the end result...
ReplyDeletetextilerecycler (at) yahoo (dot)(com)
Fabric, layers, lots of colours, stitching, stencils, and a dog. This post has it all. What a wonderful give away.
ReplyDeletecdbarnes52@gmail.com
Great art piece and the cutest dog. I'm sure they are very special to you and what a wonderful way to capture their image. Thanks for sharing your talent.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to foster Yoshi! I learned a ton from your post...using iphone, post it notes, etc, and thanks for the reminder to use the release paper when ironing. I did not know TAP would have such great color!
ReplyDeletemzdetail (at) gmail (dot com)
What a special special piece you've made- not only fun but so meaningful too!
ReplyDeleteFirst, Yoshi is gorgeous! I really like the way you used the graffiti technique and appreciate the tip on using the transfer paper when ironing over the transferred image.
ReplyDeleteLike Wendy, I too learned a lot from this tutorial! Love your end result--full of energy as no doubt will be adorable Yoshi. Thank you for this and for the work you are doing with your dogs!
ReplyDeleteReally cute!!! I love the graffiti look and the idea of wrapping it around a pre-stretched canvas - gotta try that. Best of luck to you, Linda - You will be missed at Stencil Girl. Like MaryBeth said, I hope we can look forward to future guest posts by you from time to time. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteSo creative and inspiring. Cute pup, too!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeletesapps2luv@yahoo.com
I really like this one...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to use the products. So creative!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful piece of art work, must buy some TAP to play with....
ReplyDeleteI love your puppy and how beautiful she looks in your work.
ReplyDeletemy e-mail address is:lstardust999@aol.com
ReplyDeleteFabulous Linda - I love all the layers!
ReplyDeletegillwatson(at)mailbox(dot)co(dot)uk
Great tips and ideas -- I love StencilGirls' stencils (I have several), and Lesley Riley is an inspiration. I love this opportunity to see other artists, what they're doing, and to see how they inspire me as well. Thanks. (Sandy at wrybbunz@gmail.com)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wee cutie - my aunt used to sponsor guide dog puppies so I know how special they are. I love the project you created, the elements on the edges really finish it so well.
ReplyDeletecathsheard (at) xtra.co.nz
Wow! That looks like it belongs in an art gallery. I love the graphic quality of your design, and I think your plan on doing a series on puppies that you foster is a sweet idea. Thank you for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteAnything with Yoshi and Dime is love. This graffiti art is one of my favorites. And yes do a series so you have all the joyful memories on your wall. Love this!
ReplyDeleteSunmoongal at me dot com
So darn cute! Love this project!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!!!! I hope I win so I can try playing! chefl@swbell.net
ReplyDeleteExcellent layering and such a cute project! I love the urban look, too. Graffiti art is my specialty so I really enjoyed visiting your blog today! Thank you, Linda!
ReplyDeletemsmith2illustration (at) gmail (dot) com