A La Vintage

Other than art supplies, I love antique and vintage items.  Not only do I use them around my home for decorating, serving or as storage, but I also incorporate some of them into the various forms of artwork I like to indulge myself in.  In my mind, not only am I helping the environment by up-cycling, but these type of items are unique and have so much more character.  Many of these items are often featured in my projects, but I don't always point them out.  The following are some examples.


My first photograph is of a tag I designed inspired by the techniques of Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2013 - July.   I created the background using Tim's instructions, and really like the depth I was able to achieve.  For my focal point, I altered Tim's umbrella man die cut, and added a hand cut flag and pole silhouette.  I made my pattern on plain paper, traced it on grungeboard, and cut it with an x-acto knife.  I used Crackle accents over my pieces, and when they were completely dry, I stained them with black India ink. As to my choice of metal embellishments, I distressed them with a silver dabber to add some patina.  I used some vintage ribbons I found at a thrift store as ties.  For added interest, I used a USA flag that I got in the mid 1980's, as well as an old tinsel star garland to stage the photograph.  I am also submitting this piece to Simon Says Stamp and Show - Green and Manon Visser's Paper Saturdays.


My second photograph is of my original Tag Tuesday - Roaring Twenties design.  (My talented colleagues had some amazing entries, so be sure and stop by.)  I was inspired by Erté, the Russian graphics, fashion,  and stage designer who was extremely influential in the Art Deco style of the time.  I began by drawing one of his gowns on an ATC size piece of Bristol paper.  Then, I layered various shapes, patterns and hand made embellishments to achieve an Art Deco feeling.  To further enhance the look, I staged the photograph with more layers of vintage items that could possibly be found on a lady's boudoir of the time and filtered the photograph's color digitally to age it.  I am also submitting this piece to Bella's 52 Photo Project Gallery 13 {Layers/Stacks}, Maria's Orange You Glad It's Friday #47Jen Price's In the Studio, and Artist's in Blogland - Show & Tell Saturday.


Last, but not least, I have a digitally enhanced photograph of my parents that was taken in the early 1960's.  I opened a scanned version of the photograph in my iPad using a SketchBook Pro app.  The program works with layers, so I used a different layer to work on each of the different steps to complete my simple sketch.  In this manner, I could easily delete and start over on layers that I didn't like.  I used a layer for the photograph, a layer for the mat, a layer for the line drawing, a layer for the color blocking, and a layer for the text.  I used a stylus to draw, so that I could achieve a little more control.  As to the quote, I adapted it from a line in "1 Corinthians 13."  I am submitting this piece to the Play Date Cafe Challenge #191 - Cream, Melon and Cantaloupe, Alexandra's Sunday SketchesLorik's Mandarin Orange Monday #51, Ramona's Inspire Me Monday, and Take A Word Challenge - Memories.

I hope you enjoyed the way I like to play with vintage items.  Thank you for all your kind words in my last post.  Blessings!

Comments

maria said…
Hi Arnoldo! Both the tags are fabulous, but the second is my favorite. Your parents look great.

Glad you decided to share this on Orange you glad it's Friday. Thanks for joining and I hope to see you again next weekend.
Unknown said…
I saw your creation on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge blog (green challenge) and I had to pop by to let you know how much I adore your art!
Claudia N. said…
A great idea - having the umbrella man hold a flag!!!! LOVE it! Your background really turned out fantastic. An awesome grungy look throughout!

Hugs,
die amelie x
Debbie said…
wonderful art today! your 2nd tag is so elegant, I really love it!
Umbrella Man with a FLAG is absolute brilliance!!!! You made me gasp!!! I love the black you achieved on him too! The whole take is perfection, and staging it with the vintage flag even better! Love the photo of your beautiful parents....you look like your dad. Thanks for going green with us this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!
Anonymous said…
Your July tag for Tim Holtz challenge is absolutely amazing. I am ex-military and just find your tag truly inspiring. You have a great talent and wonderful vision. I will be surprised if this tag doesn't make the top 12. I'm loving your work.
Leovi said…
Deliciosos diseños y buenos conjuntos! Saludos!
Jez said…
Every one beautiful Arnoldo, as always. And so true that love endures all, which serves as a lovely tribute to your parents.
I have always loved the Art Deco posters with the extravagant dresses on those tall willowy ladies. And yes, I admire the re-cycling - our Charity shops (equivalent of your thrift stores) just don't stock things like this, they concentrate on 'nearly new', so hunting out vintage pieces is a bit more difficult.
Winnie said…
Wow, Arnoldo! I think your Tim Holtz tag is brilliant! Turning umbrella into a flag waving man! Such fun a brackground too! Your roaring 20's one is so pretty. What a special piece to honor your parents. Such a pretty picture you picked to decorate. I have an iPad, I have to look into that app! Thanks for the kind visit today! Enjoy the weekend!
Anonymous said…
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I am so in love with the vintage layers and just everything about that photo! BRAVO!
Valerie-Jael said…
Love your patriotic umbrella man! Valerie
Paula (PEP) said…
The way you stage your photos is one of the aspects I particularly enjoy about your blog - the second project is a lovely example of that. Antiques are delightful histories in themselves & add so much to the impact of a project - I think my favourite of those you've shown today has to be that second one. Mind you, the third one with your digital layering of the photo just completely staggered me for such a possibility hadn't really sunk into my consciousness.
Paula (PEP)
Melanie said…
I am a big fan of your tags. They are everey time so much fun to look at. And the picture of your parents is very pretty.
Have a very nice weekend.
Liefs, Melanie
Giggles said…
Wow Arnoldo I am especially taken by that beautiful soldier tag and the art with your parents this week...simply fabulous work!! Thanks for sharing your process!!

Hugs Giggles
Jen Price said…
Love that Roaring Twenties design! So beautiful! Thanks for linking up!
Really enjoyed seeing both of these works, and reading about the process to making them. They are lovely.
Annemor said…
As usual an interesting post. I like what you've done with the wedding photography.
Best whises.
Mormor

http://www.starbear.no/mormor/2013/07/21/verdenen-min-sover/
Zue said…
Hi Arnoldo. Your vintage finds are put to such imaginative use with lovely results. I think the tag is fabulous and reminds me I have not been very rigorous in commenting there on Tag Tuesday this week. I will go now and make amends. Have a great Sunday and upcoming week!
Sue x
WrightStuff said…
This is beautiful work - it's great that we can do new things to old photos isn't it!
Lynn Cohen said…
these are all great. I especially like the iron pieces in the top tag. the THANK YOU really hits a nerve!
Your vintage work is beautiful! :)
Connie Mercer said…
I love vintage too. I would rather have something old and used than something new:):) The old stuff is full of character for sure:). Love what you did to the sweet picture!!! awesome!!!
Suzanne C said…
All beautiful and thoughtful up-cycling ideas. Love your tag with the cool texture on your umbrella man. The picture of your parents is lovely with the touch of color in the birds and the soften edge. The roaring 20's tag is beautiful with the flower and tassle! Thanks for playing along with us at The Monday Challenge at Simon Says Stamp!
Deann said…
Beautiful card, beautiful words...well done.
Candy C said…
Arnoldo...your blog posts are wonderful. You'd Tom tag is awesome. I love your background using Tim's technique. I really love your altered umbrella man. Having him hold an American flag is such a unique idea. Love the black over the crackle. I also love the way you have altered your parents' photograph. What a sweet photo! Your ATC is really cool as well. And I also was so impressed with your Zentangle style art journal page on the post prior to this one. WOW! What beautiful work! Thank you for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Atamp and Show! Candy
Judy said…
Love you digitally enhanced photo, a lovely tribute to your parents!
Karla B said…
Lovely work!
Brightest Blessings!
Ozstuff said…
Thankyou for your beautiful artwork and for a glimpse into your memories. Great work.
Meihsia Liu said…
Love your precious photo and the tag is awesome! You always have so fun and brilliant ideas to create. Thank you for sharing the inspiration.
All of these works are so inspiring! I especially like your roaring twenties tag. So elegant and beautiful layers. Hope you had a pleasant weekend!
Anonymous said…
Wow, I'm impressed. You do beautiful work!!!
Zana said…
I love vintage too, so love your tag and the picture of your parents is precious,thanks for visit and kind words. Blessings.
lorik said…
Beautiful work with your parents' photo. They would be very proud of you:) Thanks for describing the processes and also thank you for sharing on Mandarin Orange Monday:)
Gio said…
Ciao Arnoldo!! Your work is amazing!

Thanks for leave a comment on my blog, I really appreciate it :-)
Anna-Karin said…
Love your take on Tim's July tag! Great textures. And such a lovely photo of your parents. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!
PiaRom said…
Hi Arnoldo, both of your tags are so beautiful and I love the depth in the first one especially...wonderful what you have done with your parents photografie ♥ Conny
http://piaromsartjournaling.blogspot.de
sheila 77 said…
Superb artwork, Arnoldo. I do like the way you have changed Mr. Umbrella man, very creative. The photograph of your parents is lovely with your clever layering to enhance it.
Taluula said…
Thank you so much, Arnoldo, for sharing. Bravo.
Indrani said…
Incredible work.. You are so talented.
toni said…
Great work Arnoldo, love your version of Tim's Tag great idea to have him holding the flag, your other tag is also lovely and I really like what you've done with the lovely photo of your parents. I love vintage items too and can't resist markets and junk shops Have fun ! toni x
indybev said…
I enjoyed your vintage play, Arnoldo, especially the photo of your parents, with which you worked digital magic!
manomij said…
Some more wonderful tags and I love the idea of using vintage around the home. You just can't beat vintage. Great photo of your parents too. Happy Paper Saturdays!
ManonX
MaiThreeBoyz said…
The 20's design is the one I like, especially with those pearls. And I looked up SketchBook Pro. It's something my hubby would like to have also.
Donna B. said…
Beautiful picture! I love how you enhanced it! Thanks for playing at The Play Date Cafe.
What gorgeous projects. I enjoy adding vintage touches to my projects too. I just love how you altered the umbrella man with the flag as an absolutely perfect embellishment for this patriotic tag!! ~ Blessings, Tracey

http://gracescraps.blogspot.com/
Kelly said…
I am new to your blog and pleasantly surprised at your artwork. Fabulous designs as I look around. Thank you for visiting me also. I love your ideas as they are different from what I see. Your parents photo is lovely too.
Have a great day,
Kelly
Tincan Crafter said…
Hi Arnoldo - I love your tag. The Umbrella man is a personal favourite of mine and how you altered it to carry the flag is genius. Everything about this tag appeals to me in such a big way. Well done!
cheiron said…
This is an amazing tag! I love that you have used umbrella man. And the picture of your parents is wonderful.
Julie S said…
Wow, great tag! I really like what you did with Umbrella Man.
SandeeNC said…
I love how you altered the umbrella man and the metal look he has. What a great photo of your parents! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina ♥
Anonymous said…
great post - I also love using old photos in art. Great inspiration your work