Monday 25 June 2012

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil



This weeks theme on the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge is "Depths of Distress".   A few days back I was watching news reports about both the Eurozone crisis and the collapse of parts of the banking industry in various places around the world and it started one or two wheels turning in my head, but then I eventually thought no more of it.  When it came time to think about this week's challenge I had this idea of making an updated version of the Japanese proverb of the 3 Wise Monkeys - "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".  Luckily, in my house mansion, apart from my craft room, an entire wing of my spacious estate is devoted solely to stamps of animals and 3 of the rooms contain my entire collection of monkey stamps in various positions :)

A-n-y-w-a-y... long story short, on my way to my stampatorium I kept getting lost between my golf course and private day spa. Without access to my collection of monkey stamps, I had to abandon the monkey idea completely! That's when I thought back to the banking stuff I had been watching on tv and although they'd used different terminology, it wasn't a huge leap to realise that one thing the interviewed bankers kept implying was that they'd seen no evil, heard no evil and spoken no evil.  So there you have it, three '50s type bankers, complete with stylish modern accessories representing an update to the ancient Japanese proverb!

I spritzed the background card with a little water then dabbed on spots of Distress Stain all over it.  When it was dry I went over it with a few layers of white Distress Stain to soften the colour and stamped the Tim Holtz numbers stamp on top, finally finishing with more white Distress Stain.  I also wiped it with a baby wipe to make it a little more grainy.

I cut out the suits and hats from a sheet of Kraft Resist paper and coloured them with Distress Ink (you could also use Distress Stain but Distress Ink pad and blending tool give a much stronger contrast in the glazed areas of the Kraft Resist).  The shirts and ties were cut freehand with scissors (I didn't even draw them first, I just kept snipping until they looked right.  I know, I know, crafting without a safety net - I live life on the edge!).  The ties were coloured with Barn Door Distress Ink.

I stamped the clowns from the Big Top stamp set and cut out the central face from each image and coloured them with Promarkers.  The accessories were cut from black cardstock and I cut the ipod from black and white card and added twisted wires for the headphones.  I cut a half inch from the bottom of the two background figures so that the added height of the middle figure would make it look like the group was looming threateningly over the viewer.  The two background figures were mounted on black foam to raise them above the background, then the middle figure was further mounted above the duo behind.  I mounted the whole piece onto black card and then onto the front of a white greeting card blank.

So there you have it, a bit of crafting, a bit of Japanese religious history and a bit of topical commentary on society - what more can you want?  lol

Apology:  It has been brought to my attention that some parts of my story in the first two paragraphs are out-and-out lies - specifically in the parts that mention my home.  I've read and re-read it but try as I might I can't find anything wrong.  Still, I'd be failing in my duty, dear reader, if I didn't point it out to you!

Our ever-generous sponsor Simon Says Stamp is offering a $50 gift voucher as the prize again this week, just make something for the challenge and you could the winner! The winner will be chosen at random from those who enter the challenge, so why not give it a try? At the very least why not head over to the Challenge Blog to see how the other members of the design team have interpreted this weeks theme! :)


25 comments :

Sue Jones said...

very topical and scarey - have to say its how i'd see the bankers too

Julian said...

Beyond stunning. It's technically gorgeous and complex, but what makes this special is the strength of the idea and the by turns whimsical and grotesque realization of it. It's so much one of your pieces. You are a wonderful artist.

misteejay said...

What a clever creation Dan...you are so brave "crafting without a net". Great results.

Toni xx

Glen said...

LOL. You have too much time on your hands - mind Dan! *Ü* You are getting carried away with that mansion of yours! I couldn't agree more about the depths of distress - or is that depression! I love your take on the 3 wise monkies and how you have interpreted it. Great job. TFS. ~Glen~

Artyjen said...

A fab piece....I just love what you did with that great clown stamp ;)
xoxo Sioux

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Hilarious, I loved our write up. Your mansion sounds fabulous and your living on the edge is about as exciting as mine lol lol. Love your interpretation of the theme this week and your free hand cutting puts mine to shame . I love your scary bankers in suits. PERFECT and very clever. Tracy x

Andrea said...

brilliant Dan this is you all over and your amazing imagination to produce something so great, though rather scary I love this creation and why spoil your story at the end, I was about to see if hubby could play golf on your course x

Hels Sheridan said...

Ah, yes Dan Towers is indeedily a very large and wonderous estate, to which I hope to be invited back to... next time I will remember to bring my golf buggy so I can get from the bathroom to the stampotorium more quickly. You know me and clowns, we don't get along too well.. but I do like the way you have used them... super scary and very topical :O))

Katherine said...

Still laughing :) Thank you for a fantastic story and beautiful distressing and monkeys....no bankers ;)

voodoo vixen said...

Oh my, this is one of your 'master' pieces Dan!! I think you should have it made up into notelets for when we write to our respective bank managers!! Having never been invited to the mansion I would be unable to confirm or deny the rumours with regard to its size... but I know it must be HUMUNGOUS to house all those stamps and ink pads!! ;)

Candy C said...

Dan, once again you have managed to invoke your wonderful sense of humor into your piece! I love your see now evil, hear no evil, speak no evil piece! What a creative energy you must have been having when you thought of using Tim's scary clown face for your three guys! Genius! <3 Candy

Inkypinkycraft said...

The way you have used the clowns is super clever , but clowns creep me out and this has made me shudder!!!love the cleverness of the piece! Trace. X

Deborah said...

LOL Brilliant!

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

Cool project, Dan! I just love how you wrapped the wire to make the cord for the mp3 player and the added texture to this piece is awesome!

*mwah*
Steph
Simon Says Stamp!

mark gould said...

Great post Dan, love the imagery and idea, very cool. I re read the piece a few times and could not find anything wrong ;)
mark

Gillian .... said...

Hilarious intro Dan lol, never been to "the estate" so I will hang on your every word! Love how this weeks project evolved from the Euro crisis, to monkey's, to clowns and back to the bankers (say no more on that one)!
Fab & quirky ... love it:) x

Marijke said...

great creation,

BEX said...

Inspired idea, beautifully execcuted. I love it. Perfect!

Claire said...

Hmm, I like them but they're scaring me a little, definately representative of bankers but a little bit clockwork orange.
C xx

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

I love how you used your art work to make a social commentary. It is very erie, but true. Blessings!

sixofone aka Leah said...

So clever, though a bit frightening too

Words and Pictures said...

But the "Scary" alert came AFTER the clowns!! What an amazing piece - it stops you in your tracks. Fantastic!

Sandra said...

You really made those clowns/bankers/substitude monkeys evil looking! I think it's stunning!

Hugs,
Sandra
One of the DT newbies

gillyb's crafting blog said...

absolutely love it - well done.

Eileen said...

Fabulous Dan, absolutely brilliant.

I think this is one which would do well photographed and printed as a commercial production, it expresses what so many feel!

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