Wednesday, September 16, 2009

"Pets in Heaven " Shrine

This shrine isn't finished yet, but I thought I'd show you some of the steps to make something like this if you are so inclined. I seem to like to work on more than one piece at a time so I prepared all the cigar box shrines at the same time. First I painted them with gesso and white acrylic paint...a few coats to cover any printing. Then I used my scroll saw to cut out the top piece to give it more of a "shrine" look. I glued and nailed it to the cigar box and painted it again.
I found some fabric that I painted at least a year ago and thought it would make a nice bright background for the figures that would come next. I used some fabric glue to put the fabric in and let it dry overnight.
The next day I covered the backs with some interesting paper and put hangers on two of them.
I drew up some of my favorite pets that I've loved and are now gone and sewed around them with my sewing machine.
Very simple shapes work best because these then need to be turned inside out, stuffed, and painted with acrylics.
I will add some names to the final shrine and more decorations to the edge, plus I drilled holes at the bottom of the box to hang little charms for each pet.
The show isn't until October so I have a little more time to fiddle with these.

12 comments:

Maria said...

Sooo Cute!!!

Diva Kreszl said...

Thanks for sharing your creative process with us!

maryann said...

that is so sweet, and i appreciate seeing the process. thank you so much!

Tara's Art Camp said...

This is wonderful! I especially like those sewn pets,,,how do you do that,,,especially the legs and tight corners?

Great to see your process.

Syd said...

Really cooool!

Lisa said...

I love this idea....thanks for sharing! My grown kids would enjoy it if I made something like this with the pets they grew up with and have now passed on.....:)

I hope my turn out as good as yours...lol!

Beth Anderson said...

Love it and thanks for sharing the process.

sarah said...

These are lovely. I especially love all the detail on the pets!

Art4Sol said...

I especially like the critters...so cute!!!

charlotte said...

o, this is too sweet, Mary. I love your little sketches so much! Scrolled down and saw the squirrel post....will try to snap and send a photo of one I did once. Squirrels are so fun w those fat tails! Yours has such a lovely softness to him. I love your steady work making your unique visions come to life so beautifully! missing you! xoC

marie said...

LOOOOVE IT! Shrines are a favorite and I really appreciate you sharing your "how to". (Now I want to go make one.) Thanks again.

jude said...

this so reminds me of the dioramas we made as kids in art class.