The day I picked up the mystery bag, I was at a nursery and saw beautiful butterfly bushes. They were so thick and full. When I picked up the loofah, it reminded me of the plant in a weird way. I’ve always liked the composition of pieces overhanging the “frame” and when I saw the bag, I figured this could be a fun way to get a similar effect.

I cut and glued the bag to the canvas. The “bulgy” bits of the pipe cleaners provided perfect leaves, and I trimmed the fuzz to offer a straight stem. I had difficulty getting that darn stem to stick properly so I added a square of the brown bag over it and glued that down instead. I added green glitter to the leaves and a bit on
the stem to really make it pop even more. After deconstructing the bath sponge, I cut a small portion out for a manageable “brush” (using washi tape to keep it together). This helped obtain a textured base layer for the flower. I added a few green bits (stems, flower centers) using a “stick” from the flower ring. The piece is definitely more organic, and my washi tape has hard lines – I got it in my head it’d look like a stamp (or something) if I included it on the canvas edge, with a browny wash to somewhat “antique” it. And finally, I cut up the instructions you provided and used it to display my handle.

Artist Bio:

Having dabbled with various mediums and muses when she was younger, it was only recently that Jessica Murray settled down with a primary (yet still vague) source of inspiration and choice of tools (fine liner and watercolor). For the past several years, she has been renovating her home with her husband. Tearing down walls, building new ones. Things she never thought she would be doing, or be interested in. And yet, as time went on, her phone piled up with architectural and design ideas. It is not surprising that this new “hobby” spilled over to her art. Unwilling to be restrained by just one style of architecture, her inspirations come from crumbling stone buildings in Croatia, colorful homes in New Orleans, Bavarian cafes in Germany, and more. Jessica’s color palette leans towards muted. She enjoys softer, moodier color choices that still carry a hint of warmth.  

Instagram – @jmurhop