Playing With Watercolors and Paper

I've been having such a good time playing with paper, but feel as if I am neglecting the other love of my creative life - painting. Creating with paper has actually re-inspired me with my painting, and more and more I see how I can combine the two mediums.

On the the Decorative Artists in Canada (DAIC)painting list, they have a wonderful thing called DTCs which is basically a 4x6 trading card for the DAIC members. I have grown to love this exchange, as it allows me to combine paper and painting. The 4x6 cards give me more room than the ATCs and less surface space of the traditional cardstock. My most recent DTC for spring, I decided to use a daffodil line drawing of Richard Bonds and paint using watercolors on canvas.I cut a piece of canvas and glued it onto the 4x6 DTC tempate and applied the line drawing. Then, I took Grumbacher watercolors and applied color.

I let it dry, then applied color to the background and then added some doodles around the boarder, using a black Micron fine point marker....and added a bit details to the flower.

I am very happy with the results, and I have decided that instead of loading up on stamps, I will begin using what I already have over on my paint table ... an abundance of line drawings and patterns from wonderful decorative artists.

I truly believe that the two, paper crafting and decorative art, can co-exist in a truly dynamic creative way.

Rooster Cabinet Class!!!

Hello fellow bloggers!!!! I am always inspired by those of you that share through your blogging, and I've promised my fellow blogger Sandra (BabyCake Speaks), that I will be a better blogger - so here goes!!

My most recent class was a rooster cabinet class - the designer is Michele Walton who lives in Utah. The class was taught by Carolyn Spencer at the Apple Tree Tole Shop in Springfield, VA.

When I saw this piece - I was hooked. Loved the colors, and had to paint this! My goal through my painting, is to learn as much as I can from other artists - especially the different techniques, and to incoporate what I have learned with my own designs and painting. I want a home that truly reflects ME. Funky, eclectic and original!!

Take a peek at what we did in class!


Michele Walton Rooster Cabinet

Decorative Painting and Trash to Treasure

Looking for a way to bring new life to something? Give it a fresh coat of paint and it becomes brand new again.

Look around your home - you will see plenty of great surfaces. Trash cans, clay pots, even old lamps have the potential to become tomorrows treasure. Even beginners can make manage to take what is old and make it new again. Getting started isn't as hard as you may think. There are many great paints out there to give you various looks and to help you get started.

Plastics

Krylon Paint manufactures a line of spray paints for plastic called Fusion paints. These paints go on wonderfully smooth and can either be left alone, or applied as a basecoat. Regular acrylic paints go on beautifully. Finish with a brush on sealer, and you have something fabulous.

Look around your home - trash cans, light switches, flower pots ... they all have the potential to be painted and used as a wonderful decorative accessory.

Wood

This surface is always fun. If you have a piece that is already painted or varnished, you'll have to rough up the surface before painting. This is to give *tooth* and something for the paint to adhere to. You can use sandpaper, or even liquid sandpaper (go to your local hardware store). After you have sanded your piece, apply a water based primer such as Kilz - let dry - and apply the color of your choice.

For wood pieces that will be outside, remember to apply at least 3 to 5 coats of an exterior varnish to protect your piece from the elements.

Glass and Mirrors

My favorite surface is glass. There are wonderful glass paints out there such as Folkart Enamels, Decoart Glossies, Liquitex Glossies and Pebeo paints. All 3 brands make painting on glass and even mirrors a lot of fun. What a wonderfully inexpensive way to make a boring plain surface new again.


So look around your home and before you toss something out into the trash consider adding a fresh coat of paint - you never now - you may get hooked on painting trash to treasures!