City of Emeralds

This is a keepsake box I painted (currently FOR SALE in my Etsy shop here: [link])

The box measures 3.625 inches x 2.375 inches, and is 1.875 inches tall. The box displays my own original design for The City of Emeralds (from the L. Frank Baum book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), hand-painted in rich acrylics, contrasting smooth strokes in some spots with luscious texture in others.

The field of poppies offers lots of texture in bright warm colors, and the Road of Yellow Bricks weaves through it with a touch of gold. But the crowning jewel of this piece is The City of Emeralds, sparkling with radiant glitter paint as the rays of sunlight streak through the clouds above it. The clouds as well, are smoothly touched with soft yellows and pinks.
It's all preserved under a generous layer of clear, shiny satin varnish.

The small, golden latch on the box is accented with sparkling red rhinestones, adding a touch of ruby (a nod to Dorothy's shoes from the film!). The inside is lined with blue and white gingham fabric (like Dorothy's dress!). The bottom of the box displays my shop name, as well as my signature, and a little emerald brush (to go with my shop name!).

The box was deconstructed and well-prepared with acrylic gesso before it was painted. Then every speck of it was hand-painted, hand-varnished, and reassembled (the hinges and latch reattached). It was then meticulously lined with fabric, and rhinestones added to the latch. All work done by hand.