What Would Happen If... with Shelby

“What would happen if…” – Daniel Keyes

Have you ever wondered "what would happen if"…and if you did, where did your thoughts take you?

As PBS has launched the Great American Read, I decided to revisit my favourite book, Daniel Keyes’ “Flowers for Algernon” a tale of what would happen if intelligence could be altered through surgery. I am captivated by the creative process. I enjoy seeing the preliminary drafts of a work as much as the final piece. Keyes’ “Algernon, Charlie and I – A Writer’s Journey” not only described his method of fiction writing but the inspiration for “Flowers”. I was in bibliophile paradise!

Motivated by my stack of hardback book covers I decided to choose a light coloured cover for my next project. Inspired by the story I made my own inkblot on tissue paper. Once glued to the board the rest of the elements fell into place. The bottom image transfer was copied from a 1950’s post card. Bit and pieces of paper were added building up the layers. I glued dried hydrangea petals across the composition.

Artistcellar stencils have a great selection of designs in their collection. I chose one from the Labyrinth Series. The Chartres stencil was a perfect fit. The maze like pattern not only added an interesting design, but enhanced a key component of the story.

To brighten the composition I added acrylics using only a portion of the Infra stencil. Again, with just a bit of painter’s tape as a mask you can achieve the look you are after. However you chose to use them, they are never damaged and clean-up is a snap….the essential quality I look for in stencils.

Hopefully my collage will give you a hint of what “Flowers for Algernon” is all about without giving too much away. If you aren’t familiar with the story perhaps this post will spark your interest. With a bit of luck it will also inspire you to explore your passions and journey to what would happen if…

MATERIALS USED:

• ARTISTCELLAR STENCILS: QUASICRYSTALS (Infra), LABYRINTH SERIES (Chartres)
• HANDCUT DIAMOND STENCIL
• HIGGINS BLACK MAGIC DRAWING INK
• DECOART: Blue Harbor
• DYLUSIONS PAINT: Crushed Grape, Squeezed Orange, Bubblegum Pink
• DYLUSIONS SPRAY: Bubblegum Pink
• REEVES: Bronze, Gold
• LIQUITEX MATTE MEDIUM
• NATURAL SPONGE
• PAINTER’S TAPE
• TISSUE PAPER
• WAX INFUSED PAPER
• LASER PHOTOCOPY  
• FLOWER PETALS
• HARDBACK BOOK COVER

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