"Today I Will Choose JOY" wall art

(sorry it is sideways... I am having trouble flipping this picture)

I saw this poster and loved the colors, especially since my dining area has taken a liking to these colors too! So I thought I would add this to my collection.

You will need:
4 paint colors (I used Cloudless blue, Antique White, Red Apple, & Black) all by Apple Barrel Acrylic Paints
1 canvas
2 paint brushes (one thick for the blue and berries, and one fine for the writing/ tree)

Directions:
First paint the whole canvas blue. I even painted the sides to give it a professional look. This took me two coats of paint. Use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

Next, write your words. I started with the white so that I could get the hang of writing and mistakes could easily be corrected with some blue paint over it. Luckily, no mistakes. The top three rows, I tried to keep all the lettering the same size, leaving "JOY" to be bigger at the bottom. Remember to take your time if you want all your print to look the same. Another hint, use chalk to lightly write your letters first, giving you something to trace. I didn't, but I know this works best for some people.
Allow all to dry.
Lastly, draw the twig. It's ok for the twig to go on top of the letters. I liked it best that way. Then, add the berries by taking the handle of the big brush and dipping it into the red. Make circle motions to make the berries full and bigger, if need be.

Finished! Love it!

Total cost was $5 because all I had to buy was the canvas and the blue paint; I already had the other paint colors and brushes!

Flower Painting for the Kitchen

This Christmas, my mother-in-law wanted a painting with her favorite bible verse on it: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15.

Of course I said I would do it and I definitely racked my brain on this one. I seem to have problems on "commissioned" art because I get caught up in wanting it to be "perfect" and what the person wants (I paint for others to appreciate I guess). And I really get stuck in creativity when the person says "do what ever you want". Yikes, the pressure is on! Not only do I have to create the "perfect" piece, but I have NO perimeters! Some people love total freedom, but I guess I loved structured creativity. I love to please others, and if I can do that through my creativity, then win win! But I need to know what is wanted.

So this piece was inspired by colors that are in her back splash tile work, and a busy fabric I found that had all these partitioned flowers. I picked a few of the flowers from the fabric and mimic-ed them on a bigger scale to create this (with the quote in the middle):








The real kicker to this project (aside from my own problems with painting for others! haha) is the piece had to fit in an irregular spot in the kitchen. Luckily, my father-in-law has oodles of tools and wood, so he made a base for me and I bought some heavier fabric (which I ended up doubling on it's self to prevent bleeding, just in case... and making it stronger still) then we staple gunned it on. My husband created a cardboard backing on each framing opening, to prevent sagging. A family affair for sure! But I was pleased at the results and I think my mother-in-law enjoyed it too!

New Zealand Finch Painting

My mom had two New Zealand Finches named Ozzie and Matilda Moto. She has them for a number of years, and just this year, they passed away. I wanted to do a painting for her in memory of The Motos.
I outlined with a fine tip marker and then watered down acrylic paints to create a water color look.

Bird Silhouette Painting

I am always trying to understand "my style" in life. With music, I've given up trying because although I do have a couple artists I favor... the minute I find a genre that fits "my style", I am surprised with a completely different sounding song that I LOVE. Eclectic? I guess that is the only way to fully describe my music taste.
But I think I am more consistent in my Home decor style. And I've decided to name it "Natural Modern". I love natural fabrics (burlap, canvas, woods), and I love the nature aspect (birds, trees, leaves, flowers). But I also enjoy bold prints and color.

Anyways, this painting is one that I created a while ago, and took a picture of recently. I think it fits "my style" completely! And, "shadow birds" (as I call them) seem to be the "in" trend right now. Love it!



I painted the canvas cream, then did small brown horizontal strokes in brown and blended them in.
Next, I did a dappling technique around the edges of the canvas with the paint brush, and also used a paper towel when I wanted more muted tones. I used reds, yellows, browns, oranges, and even a little blue.
Then I painted a branch across the bottom of the canvas, then the two birds.

A lot of this painting was to taste. Playing with different techniques and using different brushes helped.
And remember, if you "mess up"... you can always dry it and paint over it! The beauty of canvas painting :)

Modern Forest Wall Art

I have become addicted to this site called pinterest.com (follow me!) where you can find SOOOOO many crafts and meals and ideas galore! My mind always swirls with creativity when I find a dozen new things I want to do! The problem can be that there are so many things to do, that you do nothing but save them all for a later day! Well, not me! I have already begun a couple projects inspired by pinterest! Some of which include... a Christmas tree skirt, an autumn yarn wreath, a couple pillows... and THIS! A modern looking forest painting using painters tape. Here it is, hanging in our living room!


Our Living room!

Here's how I did it:

Supplies:
acrylic paints (creme, brown, green)
canvas
painters tape
newspaper (to cover the table!)
paint brushes

Directions:

Paint a creme base coat. While still wet, paint small horizontal brown lines, then use a thicker brush with horizontal brush strokes, to blend in the brown slightly. You are going for a wood look.


Next, use the painters tape to make overlapping trees. Remember, where you put the tape, is where a tree will be. so make the tape as tree like as possible :) Also, make sure it is as tightly on and sticking completely. You dont want paint bleeding!


Then, paint green ALL over. You will have to do several layers. Use a blow dryer to help speed up the process! Also, be careful not to put too much paint on the edges, because that makes more bleeding too.


Then the reveal! So fun! Make sure all paint is dry! and peel off carefully!

Here is the "paint bleeding" I have been so obsessively talking about. When I pulled the tape off, I got some paint bleeding... yuck. BUT IT IS CURE-ABLE!
Before

But with a small paint brush, some creme paint, and some patience... I was able to go over those green blobs and touch up the trees, making them clear and clean!

After

The finished product:

Tree Painting for Emily

This is a Christmas Gift for our dear family friend, Emily. She wanted a tree painted similar to our "thumb print tree" we had at our wedding:
Emily wants to have a thumb print tree for prayers! When ever she sees God answering her prayers, she will put a thumb print on the tree with a name and date. What a great idea to see the many prayers God answers every day! I have a feeling Emily will have a full tree in no time! God is good!

Want to create your own?

Supplies:
acryllic paints (green, brown, creme, and blue)
paint brushes (thin, and a small thick brush)
canvas

Directions:
Paint whole canvas creme. While creme is still wet, put thin lines all over the canvas (horizontal) in blue. Smear with a thicker brush (horizontal) to create a breezy sky.
Then right on to the still wet canvas, start painting the tree in brown. The creme will mix with brown, creating a textured tree look. I used my wedding thumb print tree as a guide for where the branches and thicknesses should go. If the creme isn't mixing with the brown, it is dry, so add a little creme to the brown paint and allow them to mix a little bit.
Lastly, paint a green grassy bottom for your tree to be "planted". Start up by the base of the tree and work down to the bottom of the canvas. This will make a layered grassy look.

Finally, get some ink to stamp your thumb in, and create a leaf every time a prayer is answered! Label with a sharpie!

Tips from a Friend

I am always on the computer looking for crafts to do (especially through recycling or re-purposing what I already have!). I am LOVING this blogging generation because you are giving a free open data base chalk FULL of ideas and tips and products! Some times it is SO much, that it is overwhelming, but in the best way possible ;)

Well, another great data base is the social networking scene! Connecting with people, sharing ideas, communicating... it's all a great way to get help, encouragement, and recognition. With that said, I got some advice from a friend about the painting I just posted... and I would LOVE to share!

"Just an FYI - you can also use chalk to draw out what you want on a canvas...it erases with a damp paper towel or sponge and is much easier to remove! Also, use a hairdryer to dry your canvas in between layers of paint. It's quick and effective!"
-Jennifer C., Georgia

Thanks Jennifer! The chalk is soo nice because it leaves the canvas clean and eraser markings free! Plus it is easier to see. And the hair dryer saves you time if you can't wait for the next step! Great advice :) Keep 'em coming!

Patterned Art

Some times, I look at fabrics and patterns and get a craving to paint them and make them my own! haha, I don't know if I am the only one, but this was the case with this painting. I have a baby shower to attend this weekend and I wanted to make something for the family/ new baby girl! I found this picture online:

and really made it my own to make what I wanted for the happy family.

Here's how:

Supplies
canvas
acrylic paints
paint brushes (one with a thin handle and one with a thicker handle... you use the bottoms of the brush handles to make the dots)
a bowl (for tracing)
pencil

Directions
First, paint the whole canvas the color you want the background. Let dry completely.

Next, I took a bowl of the size I wanted the main circles and outlined it with a pencil. I measured 4 circles then 3, then 4, then 3 again across the canvas. Staggering the circles and offsetting the pattern to create cut up circles on the edges. Then, finding the center, I dipped the large handle of the paintbrush in the paint and placed a single dot in every circles center. Don't worry if the dot isn't perfectly centered, there is something perfect about not having perfect measurements in art :)
Then, put 8 dots around the center dot. I think about putting a dot "North" "South" "East" "West", and then put a dot in between.
Continue the dot pattern as shown above using the handle of the small brush for the small dots.


Now here is where it gets complicated but very very forgiving for creativity! Take the small handled brush and put TONS of dots around the pencil tracing. Don't be afraid to go outside the line and inside the line. Play with a little more paint on the small brush to get slightly bigger dots, and then barely touching the canvas for the smallest dots.


I also did dots in between the circles, being very careful to leave enough room between each dot grouping, as to keep the defined circle look. The in between dots look like triangles and hour-glasses (if that helps!). Remember, to add some bigger dots, use that bigger paint brush handle.


I really just added dots to anywhere that I felt needed them. Paint till it looks right for you! and...FINISHED pattern! This picture is a better representation of the colors I used (a dark reddish pink, and a light pastel pink).

Allow dots layer to dry completely if you wish to paint any thing more on your canvas. I chose to personalize the painting for the baby expecting family. Here it is!
FINISHED PROJECT:

Now this project took a couple days because you have to wait for paint to dry before moving on to the next layer. The dots part of the painting takes a couple hours. I didn't time it, but it is time consuming. Watch some tv while you do it, and time flies by! Also, take breaks. It breaks a big task up into smaller time chunks. :D

Happy Painting!