My daughter
had a wonderful print that she wanted to use in her new house.
As she showed it to me, we came up with the idea that I would
try duplicating the picture in miniature. Although it had
a rather wide frame and mat, the actual print was only 5 by
7. At first I thought I might try recreating it in a larger
box, but when we tried it on her wall next to the picture,
a 5 by 7 shadowbox looked best. Since it is only about an
inch deep, that will necessitate some finagling to get the
depth I want within those confines.
The first
thing I did was to make an enlarged copy of each section of
the picture. This would enable me to duplicate the colors
more closely when I could study them in detail.

Here,
for example, I could study the ivy and geraniums more closely,
as well as the detail on the pots. It would be interesting
if I could perhaps do a few ivy leaves and perhaps a geranium
bloom, maybe even a partial pot for dimension here.

This
view provides both coloration and texture for the plant and
the large pot. More than likely, I will use a form of paper
tole to add dimension in this section. Perhaps I will make
another red geranium bloom and a few leaves of ivy.

On
closer examination of the doorway, I decide that I want
the dimension of a "real" lantern extending
from the wall, so I used my paint program to remove the
painted one.

I
kept a shadow. I may add a small piece of wood over the doorway,
too, when I add the hook and miniature lantern.

I
am not sure at this point what I will do with the upper right
wall. This view also gives detail for the plants on the upper
half wall.

I
think I will cut a thin piece of either foamcore or heavy
cardboard to give this half wall more depth. At this point
I am not sure what I will do: I may just paste a copy of the
print on top and then add some model railroad greenery to
give the moss dimension.

Look
at all these limestone color variations in light and shadow.
I love that pot, too. May try duplicating half of it in Sculpey
or some other clay. I found a pot with very similar detailing
at the Tucson show, but don't know if it will actually fit
in the bottom of the shallow shadowbox. If I use it, I will
perhaps use the paint program to remove the depicted pot,
just leaving the shadows behind it.

Here
are the lower center steps. I think I may duplicate these
last three steps in either foamcore or clay.
This
should be an interesting and challenging project. I really
should finish it one of these days ....
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