Swimming Along With Altered Eclectics

     I was challenged to produce a mixed media  project that wasn't grungy, so this is what I came up with. It's also the project I wish to feature for Altered Eclectics, a challenge for mixed media and recycled artwork.

     I started with an 8 inch square canvas and added texture using some  stencils to create weeds and stones.
     The weeds on the left are sections of lace cut and stuck on, there are also some small embellishments made with hot glue in a silicone mold added before painting.
     Once all that was dry, which wasn't long, I set about painting over it all with a light blue acrylic paint. Once the paint was dry I started to use some mica sprays to add shades of blue and purple, while this was still wet I sprinkled it with rock salt and left it to dry. The salt pools the colour and creates a great mottled effect but has to dry naturally, speeding it up with a heat gun doesn't get the same effect, the salt can be gently rubbed off once dry.

    The next step was to paint the weeds a greenish colour, along with painting the crab, seahorse and shells. I went over the weeds with a pearl green paint and dabbed a little on here and there.
     There are some rice paper words added at the top and to make the bottom look a little more like a seabed I have dded sand poured over a thick coat of PVA glue.  
     I chose to leave the shells in their natural state so after moving them around to get them where I wanted I fixed them with hot glue.

     I wanted to add some jelly fish so I made them on my craft mat with hot glue and then dusted them with pearl mica powder.
     To add a splash of bright colour I used an MDF fish and covered him with foil using a 2in1 glue pen. I have added some glossy accents to his eye.
     Altered Eclectics challenge runs all month so you have lots of time to come and join us with your projects, we would like to see anything but cards and ATC's.

I would like to enter this canvas in the following challenges:

Colour Crazy Craft - Anything Goes

Creative Fingers - Anything Goes