My Process: These backgrounds are unpredictable because I just pour different colored walnut inks by Tsukineko over the canvas in different combinations. After this particular one dried, I dabbed on some crackle medium here and there. Sorry I do not know exactly which crackle brand I used since I have a variety in the cupboard. Sometimes I just grab a bottle and spash it in certain spots experimenting with it. I love experimenting in art. It's how new art is created.
And some strategic dabbing with paper towel to keep the ink from overpowering the image. Then I ripped the photo around the edges to age it some more.
To age the background more I rubbed brown stamp pad ink a bit and added a lace stencil effect with white gesso. The lace trim was dyed with more walnut ink. I could not resist adding a rusty heart at the top, because it seemed to go with the story that I was creating.
This is entitled "Stories to Tell" because one day someone took this photograph to remember their special house and to show others where their story took place.