Sunday, April 27, 2014

Painting With Abandon...My First Attempt at Canvas Art!

 
 I can honestly say that up until last week, I have never brushed paint onto an art canvas.  During the one college art course I took, we didn't attempt anything beyond pencil sketches, and my struggle with depth perception and proportion discouraged me from taking any other art classes, aside from photography.  I think it was around this time that I decided I was lacking the "artistic gene" necessary to create art without some sort of a guide to go by.  It has only been within the last few years that I picked up a paint brush and really got into creating finishes on furniture.  Before then, I was merely slapping several coats of white latex paint onto every dresser and chair I could find.  There was really no creative painting in my life before I was introduced to Annie Sloan and her wonderful Chalk Paint®!
 
 
Not only has Chalk Paint® changed how I paint furniture, but Annie Sloan herself has changed my perspective on art.  Her concept of "don't think, just paint," putting the rules aside and enjoying the creative experience without confinement or inhibitions, gives me such a thrill!  It was this concept, and Annie's attitude of art being organic, unplanned and free-flowing that gave me the courage to attempt painting an art canvas for the first time.  It was something I had been dying to try my hand at for years, but didn't think I had the ability to succeed at.  Last Saturday I took my 40% off coupon to Michaels and bought a 48" clean, white canvas.  I could not wait to get started.  That night, I laid out a drop cloth on the kitchen floor, brought all of my Chalk Paint® cans into the house and spent several hours blending colors, layering, dipping crumpled paper and string into paint and marveling at the different textures and patterns they produced.
 
 
I knew I wanted to paint a floral, so I studied painted flowers in other artwork for inspiration.  I also had an idea to create some texture in the blossoms by using Artisan Enhancements VP Antico.  I troweled it on in places, put my blow dryer to it to create some crackling and then painted the flowers on top.  Once the paint was all dry and I was happy with the scene I had created, I did a small amount of gold leafing...a patch near the top of the canvas and here and there on the leaves and petals to highlight. 
 
 
You are probably wondering why I chose to start with such a large canvas!  I probably should have attempted something smaller first, but I was a little desperate to fill a large void in our family room (and cover an in-wall speaker)!  I figured I might as well go for it!  After all, paint is very forgiving.  If I didn't care for it, I could easily paint over it when I felt inspired again, right?
 
 
As it turns out, I am pretty happy with it.  And, I had more fun creating this painting than I ever imagined I would!  In fact, I've already bought 4 more (smaller!) canvases and can't wait to explore some more ideas that have been buzzing around in my head!
 
Thank you, Annie for giving me the courage to paint with abandon!
 
 
And thank you, friends for your kind visit today! 
Now, forget the rules, let go of your inhibitions and create something wonderful!
 
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda
 
 
Sharing With:
 
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 
 Friday's Unfolded at Nancherrow
 
 
 

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Sonora Phonograph Cabinet Makeover and Accentuating Details with Chalk Paint®

 
Every so often I get so wrapped up in a painting project, that I can't sleep until it's finished.  This was one of those projects.  With it's curvy legs and gorgeous, intricate appliques, I couldn't wait to see how Chalk Paint® would take it's beauty to a whole new level! 
 
 
This one kept me up way past my bedtime!
 
 
My mom had actually purchased this antique Sonora Phonograph Cabinet at a garage sale a few years ago.  It had been completely gutted, and a few repairs made so that it was ready for refinishing.  The couple selling it had either lost interest or decided they just didn't have the time for it.  It had sat in my mom's garage for some time and I often stared at it and dreamed of painting it.  I had offered to paint it for her and was planning to do so once she figured out where she was going to put it.  Just recently she asked if I wanted it to resell as she had decided she just didn't have a place for it.  Without hesitation I agreed to take it off her hands, but not for resale!  How could I possibly part with this?
 
 
If you've been following me at all, you know that I gravitate towards pieces with romantic details like carvings or appliques.  There are many ways in which Chalk Paint® and Annie Sloan's soft waxes can be used to accentuate details on a painted piece.  One of my favorite methods is to choose one or more complimentary paint color to brush onto those details with a small paintbrush and then apply lots of dark wax to settle into all of the crevices.
 
 
This ornate frame was one of my earlier Chalk Paint® projects.  I shared photos of each stage of the process in my blog post Grab Your Brush and Follow Your Gut.  In this post I also went into some detail about why I love Annie Sloan's dark wax.  I am sure you can see how this frame inspired me in my phonograph makeover!  It was one of the first times that I did some detailed brushwork, incorporating colors other than white.  I knew I wanted to create a similar look with the applique on this cabinet.
 
 
 The body of the cabinet is painted in a custom mix of Pure White and French Linen, approximately 2:1. 
 
 
 
The details are painted in Pure White, Versailles, Antoinette and Duck Egg Blue. 
 
 
  I applied clear wax to the entire piece and accented with dark wax, focusing on those details.  The dark wax made all the difference here.  I love how it creates shadows in all the right places.
 
 
This may just be my favorite furniture makeover to date!  I still have some work to do on the inside before it gets placed in it's new spot in our family room, but I just couldn't wait to share it with you! 
 
 
I am making a few more little changes in the family room and promise to share more photos soon!
 
 
How fun is this ornate old shell of a clock that I found at Camas Antiques a few weeks ago?  The little nest with pretty eggs seemed an obvious filler for spring décor, but  I plan to enjoy it year-round by changing up the look for each season!  The gorgeous tulips were a timely surprise today from a very dear friend!  Aren't they lovely? 
 
  Thank you for your sweet visit!  Have a very blessed Easter weekend!
 
Best Wishes,
Amanda
 
 
Sharing With:
Inspire me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 
 Before and After Wednesday at The Decorated House
What's it Wednesday at Elephants and Ivy
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 
 Friday's Unfolded at Nancherrow

Thursday, April 10, 2014

In With the Old and a Mirror Painting Tip!

 
After passing on this large, old gold mirror at one of my favorite thrifts on three separate occasions, I finally decided it was time to bring it home with me!  It's hard to tell from the before photo, but it was in pretty sad shape, which is I am sure why no one had picked it up before me.  Each corner has a piece of broken molding, probably from being moved around a bunch over the years.  Still, the details were gorgeous and I knew that a bit of Chalk Paint® would help to mask the drastic imperfections.
 
 
I bought it with the intention of painting it and taking it to my booth at Camas Antiques...(I know I've said that before, many times!)  But, I started looking around and realized that it was meant for our family room wall, and that it was meant to be pink...Antoinette to be exact!
 
 
The pretty rose print that hung here before will now be for sale in my shop space.  If I could find a wall for it in our home I would hold onto it, because I still love it.  However, I can justify keeping the pretty mirror I had bought to resell by parting with the print.
 
 
After two coats of Antoinette Chalk Paint®, I lightly distressed the frame to reveal a bit of the old gold underneath.  I chose not to wax this piece, for a couple of reasons.  It isn't necessary to wax something that is going to hang on the wall and not be handled frequently.  I decided I liked the mat finish in contrast with the other pieces in the room that I have painted and waxed...more on that later!
 
 
Now for that mirror painting tip!  When it's not possible to remove a mirror or glass from a frame (or you just don't want to take the time to do so!), try wedging strips of heavy paper (think poster board, cardstock or index card weight...not printer paper) between the glass/mirror and frame.  I have found that this works so much better than even painters tape!  It pulls out easily and doesn't tear.  There's also no paint mess to scrape in the end!  This works for glass paneled cabinet doors as well!
 
 
I am so glad that I finally decided to rescue this sad old mirror from collecting anymore dust at the thrift store!  I think it looks right at home in our family room now!  I have another project in the works for this room that I hope to share next week! 
 
Have a lovely day!  Thank you so much for your sweet visit!
 
Best Wishes and Blessings,
Amanda



 
Sharing With:
Inspire me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 
 Before and After Wednesday at The Decorated House
What's it Wednesday at Elephants and Ivy
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 
 Friday's Unfolded at Nancherrow