Faux leather works…

In early May, I had the exquisite pleasure of taking my second art class since returning to university as a grad student three semesters ago.

Art classes don't fit into the scope of my master's program, but I try and fit them in as time allows. 

So I was thrilled when I could take a color foundation class this first summer session.

I loved every minute of it—despite the intensity and hard work.

There was one project I was particularly pleased with—a faux leather belt I designed and created from painted Bristol board.

We had to pick colors from a natural object to create a manufactured product.

I chose this beautiful stone/pendant, a gift from my husband.

I so love everything western and thought…why not a belt?

The entire project took days to complete.

First I had to create a color inventory from my stone and then decide which colors to use...

I then mixed paint upon paint to match those colors.

 

 

Finally I applied four coats of paint to each strip of Bristol board, of which there were three.

The hardest part was deciding how to pull it all together.

While I had this wonderful visual image of my creation in my head, getting it to actually turn out, and hold together long enough through the class critique, was another matter.

But then I hit upon the wonderful idea of embossing each piece through my cuttlebug, which worked beautifully.

My professor loved it, as did several of my classmates, and I was awarded my coveted “A”!

I would love to create more belts using both painted, and embossed, Bristol board and fabrics.

Even more, I would love to continue to take additional art classes.

Alas, there's no time this semester, but maybe in the next one.