What Lies Beneath - Documented Life Project Week #5

Hi Y'all,

For the Documented Life Project this week the challenge was using your under-papers in your page. You know, those scrappy pieces you lay under your project or between your pages to wipe brushes on and write on to get your pens going. Well, I confess, I am a paper hoarder! I had a lot of these types of papers laying around as I love collage! These types of 'trash' can make great layers in any paper collage.
The prompt for the week was 'what lies beneath. After thinking about that phrase for awhile it came to me that every person we know has something going on under their smile. I think we have been trained to spend most of our time faking it. Even as tiny kids we are told to walk it off we get injured in a sport. We are taught that people don't care about our problems so keep it to ourselves. Men are told it isn't manly to cry. So then I thought of a quote I pinned on pinterest about just remembering to be kind to everyone, because we don't know what lies beneath their smile.

 To start off, I cut out some hearts from some under-paper I had. I would love to say it was neatly purtaway in a organized fashion..but the truth is it was laying on the floor under my desk. 


Next I added the quote to my page using a black paint marker. I seem to be getting more confident with writing in my own hand writing on my pages.


Next I wanted to add some dark colors to represent the pain underneath. I picked grape, metallic grape, blueberry, metallic blueberry. and a neutral gray in the gelatos and scribbled them on my pages. Then I blended with a wet finger. Something funny..as I was reading the names of the colors for the blog...I noticed the grey is labeled 'red cherry" LOL' ....


My next step was to use some different stencils to make some lighter marks on the background. I did this by laying the stencil down and rubbing a baby wipe through the holes to remove some color. I wanted only images with hard edges like diamonds, squares and hexagons to represent how brittle an emotion can be.


My next layer I wanted to represent the constant thoughts grinding through a person's mind when they are thinking about all they things they don't say out loud. I used a gears mask type stencil and sponged over it with black gesso with a make up sponge.


This was still looking to bright in areas, so I brayered over it with some blue metallic paint for more unity.


Then I added on my hearts. I cut them in half and matched them up for more interest.


My final steps to finish off my pages was to add doodles and scribbles with a white paint marker. Then to add some words to remind me to be kind always. I also journaled in black around the hearts. Finally I added white acrylic paint splatters.


I hope you enjoyed my pages for The Documented Life Project this week. 
<3 Shel


Comments

  1. That quote is so true and a stunning page to match! The black stenciling with the gears added so much drama and it's counterbalanced by the colourful hearts. Very expressive and I think I totally got what you were trying to say with this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Zsuzsa :) When the background got so dark I was a little worried but it was able to be counterbalanced with the bright hearts like I hoped. I wanted to showcase the darkness underneath but I didn't mean like a serial killer or something lol.

      Delete
  2. Amazing!!!!! We NEVER know what is behind a persons smile! You nailed this one. hugs, patty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Patty :) I am glad you understood what I was trying to say :)

      Delete
  3. This is a wonderfully thoughtful spread, Shel; I can see that your' underneath' is a very caring person that perfectly matches the outside.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Win! I try to be a caring person but sometimes I am just too low on chocolate to manage it! lol

      Delete
  4. It's so true you don't know what's going on behind that smile. Life can be tough and we all put on a brave face. I really like your page and the thought behind it. I've not done mine yet I have a few ideas. I'll be in your neck of the woods 3 weeks today I'm looking forward to some sun :) Thank you for your visit earlier. Anita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for coming by Anita :) I think there should be sun here by then...better bring your light weight shirts.

      Delete
  5. Ah Shel just adore this post loved seeing all the steps to final rate as really makes you realise what's gone before... You heart words are rather like the fruit of the spirit in Galatians
    Galatians 5:22-23
    "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self control): against such there is no law."
    Thanks so much for popping over, Shaz in Oz.x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sorry no idea what "rate" is mean to be auto correct went through before I saw it. Prob. "final work" is what I meant.. Just adore they way you tied it all together. Xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Shaz. Yes I meant to show exactly what that Bible verse is saying :)

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comments. I read every one :)