The weekend in my sketchbook .....

This past weekend was for sketching, and my sketchbook was with me constantly.  Here you will see the three renderings  that kept me entertained.  In my defence, my daughter gave me a robotic floor cleaner for Mother's Day ( good daughter) , so I sketched while I "cleaned the floors".  It was really hard work!

 

" Museum Bug in a Dress"

6" X 9" watercolor and calligraphy pen 

 " TV Golf"

6" X 9" watercolor with ink journaling

 

 

" Three Flowers"

6" X 9"

watercolor and calligraphy ink pen

 



The Purple " Elephant" Chair ......

 

I found this rush seat chair at a local upcycle shop.  It is a nice size and very sturdy construction and the seat was in perfect condition!  I began by spray painting it all over with a gloss purple, and loved it already.

I found a copyright free image of an elephant, a black and white rendering with lots of fancy detail.  I printed it off, colored it in with watercolor pencils and sprayed it with a fixative to keep it from smearing.  I added two embossed wood corner pieces on the back for texture and interest. 

 

Then I just started adding colors and shapes until it was all covered.  The last step was to  paint it all over with a gold metallic
glaze.

 

 

 This glaze gives the chair a soft glow and mutes all the bright colors to a wonderful patina.  When you see it in the light it really glows. 

 

I encourage you to find an old chair and have some fun with it!
  Go do it!

The " Paris Box of Secrets" .......

I am continuing to experiment with upcycling wood furniture and accessories.  I found this sweet wooden box at my favorite upcycle shop and was sure I could make something fabulous out of it.  Originally it was a pale green with a  strawberry decal on the lid.

  Not so any more!

" Paris Box of Secrets"

9 X 9  and 7 inches tall

 The images are attached with wall paper paste and the entire box is painted a silver acrylic.

The inside bottom is covered with black felt.

I added the embossed wood accents and the entire piece is finished with a gold metallic glaze.

Signed and dated.

The Antique Medicine Cabinet .....

I found this antique, ( circa. 1910)  in-wall, wood medicine cabinet in a shop in Tulsa OK, about 40 years ago.  I could never find the right place to use it, even after several moves, but loved it and continued to move it from place to place.  Now, it has a  new life ! 
 
After a good cleaning and sanding, I have applied acrylic paints, fabric flowers, gilding wax, small wood accent pieces and several coats of poly acrylic sealer.  I retained the original hardware, even thought it is a little wonky.
Good news!  I remembered to take a "before" photograph!

 

 I'm not sure what my next project will be.  The good news is, I think Spring is here which means I can work outside! See you soon!

The " Garden Love" chair......

This project has been a work in progress for several weeks and today it is finished!  I had no idea how many "paintable" surfaces there were on a chair.  I started by purchasing a yard of upholstery fabric (which was 50 % off). Using this as my color pallet, I painted the chair with flowers, checks, squiggles, and of course, dots.  I do love it! The chair itself was destined to be sent to a thrift store until I took another look at it.  It is very sturdy, well made and will make a nice occasional chair. 
I encourage you to look around your house.  Maybe you have a chair sitting in a corner, looking sad and unappreciated.  Make it pretty!

I need more furniture to paint!

Yes, I have run out of small pieces of furniture to paint.  But, I have still been busy.  I have painted two old wooden trays with metal handles.  I do wish I had taken some "before" photographs!  I have to say these are much easier to wield  around on my work table than a bench or a chair !
Presenting the "accessories" part of my painted offerings :

" Pears"

serving tray - 12" X 18" - wood with metal handles

acrylics, fabric, poly sealer

 



 " Pears" -

 

 

" Three Friends"

 serving tray

10 " X 16" - wood with metal handles

acrylics, fabric, poly sealer

 

" Three Friends" -

 

I need more furniture and I need more trays to paint.  And, I REALLY need it to stop snowing so I can go out and find those treasures that await me.

Stay tuned!

While waiting for paint to dry .......

I guess I could clean up my studio, or dust something, or wash something, but, seriously, that never works out! 
Yesterday I pulled out a few of my ongoing project paintings; " 100 Faces".   They are now greeting cards!  This was an easy project thanks to my trusty HP scanner/printer.  I love that machine!

" Seven Friends" Bench ....

This bench top measures 12" X 40" and is embellished with acrylics and fabric. The rest of this week will be devoted to making sure all these recent pieces are fully sealed.  I might have to take a break until I find more sad furniture to paint!