Of Peacocks and Kingfishers-Peek-a-Boo Project

Many years ago I spent a summer in India, I wrote about it in the blog post: So Far From Home . I have always had a fascination for peacock feathers, using them for years to decorate my home. Their colors are iridescent and mysterious. Being born in 1963, I found it an odd connection that India declared the peacock  their national bird the very same year.

My time in India was challenging for me as, it was the first time traveling to a third-world country. I have never been so far from home. I spent some time in Goa, in a gated resort there. It was during monsoon season and I had a room to myself and from my window I could see some of the kingfishers  that lived there. The Common Kingfisher plumage is bright blue and orange, and glistened in the hot Indian summer sunshine. 

These birds are the inspiration for this artwork.

1. Gather Supplies.
   
2. Trace and Cut Out Magazine Picture to Glue to Back Potion of GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.
   
3. Use a Paintbrush and Blue Paint and Stencil Butter, Grey Texture Paint, and Titan Buff Paint to paint the Top Portion of the GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.
   

   
   

   
4. Paint Edges of Back Portion of GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.
   
5. Use a UHU GlueStick to Glue Cut Out Portion of GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.
   
6. Find Stickers you Desire from Antiquarian Sticker Book.
   
7. Glue into Desired Compositions.
   
8. Coat with Glossy Accents.
   
9. Use WeldBond to Attach Both Portions of GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.

   
10.  Use Clips to Hold Portions in Place.
    
11.  Once Fully Dry add Deco Art One Step Crackle to Inside Portion of GSLC-Reliquary-Tower Top.
    
    
    
12. Once Fully Dry Fill in Cracks with Apple Pie Spice.
13. Seal with Glossy Accents.

Final Thoughts

While in India I was fortunate enough to visit  Jaipur -The Pink City. The Inner Courtyard of City Palace has four small gates known as the Ridhi Sidhi Pol, which are elaborately decorated in brilliant colors. Lotus Gate– Beautified with lotus petals and stunning floral patterns representing summer season. Peacock Gate has carved peacocks surrounding a statue of God, and represent autumn. The Rose Gate represent winter, it is beautifully designed and painted with rose petals and surrounds statue of God and the sun. The final gate, named the  Lehariya  Gate, is vividly painted in shades of green and represent Spring.

Kingfisher

Your wings are made of precious stones, Your chest like fire-burning bright,

Flamboyant in your brightest tones.

Electrifying flash of light.

With Sharpened dagger on a perch,

Sit patiently, observe your prey,

Then with one fast, decisive lurch,

You dive across the waterway.

In one fell sweep, you snatch and steal.

The fish-their silver scales your prize, You swallow it then conceal

Yourself in watery disguise;

Your eye-a secret of your aim,

Most powerful your mighty wing;

No bird can beat you at your game,

The noble bird-You ARE the king!

~Renata Matejko

Supplies: GSLC_Reliquary-Tower Top, Magazine Pictures, Blue Paint and Stencil Butter, Grey Texture Paint, Titan Buff Paint, Paintbrush, Copper and Gold Paint, UHU GlueStick, Glossy Accents, WeldBond, Deco Art One Step Crackle,  

I cannot wait to see your interpretation of this project. Share it on the Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts Craft Group Page on Facebook. I would love to see what new creations you are working on!