Sunday, February 21, 2010

Gothic Arches - Steampunk


I was really excited to see the Gothic Arches challenge theme for today was Steampunk. I have been in love with this style since first hearing about it a couple years ago. From that time it seems it has become more and more mainstream and I'm seeing it everywhere now!

For my arch, I decided to go all out and make something substantial that I could load up with all the junk I've been collecting. First, I traced the template onto a scrap of 2 x 6 and cut it out with a jig saw. Then I stained it with various Distress inks and sealed it with Mod Podge. After that it was just a matter of digging through boxes and bins to find the right junk.

 
It's so hard to show the dimension in something like this in photos. The man is a photo stamp from The Family Man collection by Oxford Impressions. He seemed to have the perfect vintage look for the Steampunk era.


My favorite part of this is the alligator clip holding the optical lens. I have been dying for AGES to use the lens this way, but have just never had the right project for it. Oxford Impressions has a great selection of these found here. The quote is from Alluring Impressions. It's stamped on an aluminum circle that I found at Navel Jelly Studios.
Thanks to Martina for coming up with such an awesome theme! Make sure you check out the other fantastic artwork on the Gothic Arches Challenge blog.

30 comments:

  1. What an amazing accomplishment - bravo to such a creative and unique arch Shelly!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a fabulous piece of artwork you have created here, Shelly. I love how you have selected so many beautiful bits and pieces. You certainly have this guy "wired up"...love it. I have joined your followers list, Shelly, and extend an invitation for you to join me on my list as well. Kind regards. Hugs, Gayle.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is very cool! Incredible piece!

    ReplyDelete
  4. OMGOSH! Shelly, this is just so absolutely gorgeous! Wow....what an incredible piece of art work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I could look at this amazing arch all day! Fantastic work!

    ReplyDelete
  6. When this photo popped up in my favorite blogs....I couldn't believe it! Then I said, "I can TOO believe it..it's what she does!" Wow...what a wonderful collection of THINGS to make this fabulous steampunk creation!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow sums it up pretty well, Amazing 3-D art Shelly, you really went all out on this one!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well! Wow! I LOVE this Shelly - it's great! It is so fun and so beautifully put together. That's what I call an assemblage - bravo! And it's not so much finding the 'right'bits, it's also how crestively you combine them... Anyone can have a box of junk, very few could produce this result from it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. EEk!! That is awesome Shelly!! I am up to my ears in gear right now, i LOVE steampunk! Your piece is just awesome! ( i said awesome right?)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is an amazing piece of work. I love the way you've used your 'junk' to create something new and whole in its own right. Absolutely stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved your idea on the theme ,this week wonderful art.
    Very innovative.

    ReplyDelete
  12. My head must have been under a rock because I've only recently heard of Steam Punk. I've been trying to work out a definition and here it is! By looking at your amazing art, I can see exactly what the connection between victorian and steamworks should be. I think I'm in love!

    Connie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love it, Shelly! It's so unique!!!

    Debbie K.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is quite a unique contraption. What a creative mind you have!

    ReplyDelete
  15. OMG, Shelly! Your steampunk arch is outstanding! I am totally impressed. You are a great artist!

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great piece you've created! Love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love it. Since only a week ago I was trying to understand steampunk. Now that I know, i must try something.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Shelly this is just awesome! Love that you did this on a piece of wood so that it's more of a displayable art piece... And I have to tell you all the hardware is just rockin! Love all the watch parts and the way you attached the eye piece is perfect!

    Beautiful piece!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is absolutely stunning, Shelly! Bravo! LynnF

    ReplyDelete
  20. Absolutely fantastic - left it on my computer so I can keep looking at it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Such a cool piece! Your gears and wires are fantastic - it's obvious that you like this style and you do it so well!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Brilliant arch Shelly in every detail, it looks like it whirrsss ;) and sings? :)
    oxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's one fantastic arch.... I love all the 'bits'.. so much detail to see!

    ReplyDelete
  24. OMG~! Love this! What an inspiring work of art!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. I appreciate your comments so much!