Silver Portal by Theresa mARTin

A portal can be as utilitarian as a gateway or entrance, or it can be an elaborate and magical doorway or opening. And what’s beyond that portal – well there’s magic in that, too. My shimmering portal is whimsy. Certainly elaborate but also, because of the monochrome palette I chose, it is subtle and, I think, elegant. The use of a monochrome palette in your artworks allows for the use of many varied, sparkling and jeweled embellishments without giving your piece a ‘busy’ look.

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I like to think of my Silver Portal as something akin to an emblem or medallion for some special and glowing occasion from a time long ago. Perhaps this was found in an old chest on a pirate’s ship, an ornate remembrance of a face well-loved and missed. Or maybe it was created to commemorate a very special occasion! That is the beauty of our artistic endeavors: they tell a story and the story may change according to who is doing the telling!

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Silver Portal Piece with Heart

Silver Portal by theresa mARTin — A number five brad was used.

Silver Peculiar Portal 1 by theresa mARTin — Several nickel pieces adorn the frame at the top. You can also see some of the crackle finish here.

METHOD:

Paint Peculiar Portal 1 to desired color. In this case I used silver spray paint.
Add a grunge effect to the paint by scratching into paint and using a crackle finish and a brown top paint.
Select a beautiful face to add to the box.
Add embellishments such as charms, or cabochons. I used several nickel pieces to adorn the top of the frame and an eye hook and a heart for the bottom of the piece.