United As One - Hero Arts Release!

Today we are celebrating the release of an amazing partnership stamp set at Hero Arts. This set is so important, and so needed. It's the first of several, and I couldn't be prouder to be part of Hero Arts, helping to make the stamping landscape a bit more inclusive.

The stamp set is called United As One, and it is a partnership with two wonderful, kind and amazing women - Dana Joy and Pocono Pam. The best part? 100% of net profits from this 6″ x 8″ stamp set will go to Racial Justice charities of Dana & Pam's choice.

Originally I was going to make a card with the powerful stamps in the set, but as we went into this past weekend and lost an American hero, I was called to put my emotions down in my art journal. Of course the entire country mourns the loss of Civil Rights icon John Lewis. But here in Atlanta, I think the heartbreak is even a bit more palpable.

I began by putting down some Dina Wakley Media Acrylic Paints. I primed the pages of my art journal with her gesso, then added a base of Lapis and Tangerine paints.

For Congressman Lewis' likeness, I found an image on the internet, printed it out, and used a transfer technique to get the outline of the image down on my page. (I couldn't find my transfer paper (!) so I just put pencil lead all over the back of the printout, then traced on the front side. The pencil lead transferred to my page.) With the outline in place, I added the rays around his head using the Hero Arts Sun Background Stencil with Lapis, Ocean and White paints. Then I very loosely painted in his image. I used Gilt and Medieval paints, thinking the metallic colors were fitting for this tribute. I added a bit of Ocean paint to his suit as well.

I very roughly added the infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge in the background (which we hope will soon be renamed for Congressman Lewis), where he famously walked across and was beaten during the Bloody Sunday march in Selma in 1965. I added a bit more stenciling in the background using Tribal Shapes Stencil, with more of the same paints. And here is where I brought in the United As One stamps. I stamped out the words from the set - "respected", "appreciated", "supported", "necessary", "loved" - all words that bring to mind Congressman Lewis. I also stamped the "together we can make a difference" three times on the pages.

 I'm very happy with how these pages turned out. I often turn to my art journal during emotional times. I like to say I'm "arting out my emotions". 

Want to see more inspiration with this amazing stamp set? The following artists are sharing projects today, using either this United As One set, or We Stand With You from The Stamping Village - both release today!

Hero Arts - Daniel
Dana Joy
Pocono Pam
Channin Pelletier
Daniel West
Debi Adams
Ilina Crouse
Janette Kausen
Jennifer McGuire
Libby Hickson (you are here!)
Michelle Short

Thanks for stopping by,

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CM476 United as One - Hero Arts [ HA ] SA154 Sun Background Stencil - Hero Arts [ HA ] SA106 Tribal Shapes Stencil - Hero Arts [ HA ] AF435 Intens-ified Black Ink Pad -... [ HA ] AF249 Unicorn Pigment Ink Pad [ HA ]