DIY: Distressed Coffee Table

The story begins with a $2 Coffee Table frame...

I knew I wanted to paint and distress the frame, so I asked for feedback on Facebook.  My first choice of pink was quickly turned down...and so yellow was going to be the go-to. 

Until I got to Lowes and saw all the paint choices of turquoise....so I went with that :)

Since the glass was missing, I needed to replace it.  I was going to opt for glass until the associate said it wasn't the most sustainable glass and more expensive than wood.  So I had the wood panels cut to the dimensions. (I had my fingers crossed all the way home ....and luckily, they fit perfect.)

I went with a yellow color for the inserts.

so, Rapids blue & Field of Daisies it was. 

To avoid sanding down the entire unit, I used KILZ to prime the surface.  IT WORKS GREAT!!

KILZ also left a nice gift for the landscapers to mow over :)

(YES, as I said before, I spray paint on the grass behind my house)

I sanded the edges of the wood and painted 2-3 coats of yellow to get an even finish.

I then used Satin-Soft Silk to coat the table.

(This will be the color to show through when I distress the table.)

Since it was getting dark and colder outside, I moved the table inside, used a candle to coat the worn out ares, and painted the top 2 coats.

(Note to Self: Check feet before walking to avoid random paint spots on floor.)

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Once dried, I took a sanding sponge thing and went around various edges.  The website I used stated you can take steel wool and rub the areas of the candle wax to bring out the base layer.  I didn't think that worked well...and was pricking my hands.  The sandpaper did the job just fine. 

It is hard to see in the pictures, but a lot of white and brown is popping through.  I may eventually use a brown or white glaze to make it more muted, but for now, it works.

Inserted the wooden panes with strong glue to hold.(placing heavy books on top to flatten as the wood was curved in some places.)  I was going to use tack nails, but opted for glue for a cleaner line plus the inner ledge was not very wide

The last element I wanted to add was a slogan with a huge heart shape on the other side using MY PINK chalkboard color I wanted from the beginning...plus it would tie into some of my home decor. So I opted for a verse from the Lumineers' song "HO HEY".  I used my silhouette to cut out large pieces of stencils...and taped them together to cover the surface.  So much easier than doing it by hand.

I applied a few coats over the stencil.  (not the best option of using paper for a project that will take a few minutes to coat....paper gets stuck on project.)  But you can see the stencil wasn't perfect, hence I will have to go in and touch up the words and area around the heart.

And this was the end result.  I LOVE IT.

JOURNAL COVERS

I always like to put a fun image on my art journals...something special and representing what is inside.  It is the first things I see, and also the most seen image.  I have been looking online at various artists' works.  I fell in love with how Kelly Barton creates cover art on moleskins (she has them available for sale on etsy)

So I took a go at it, with my own journals.  First was the Dylusion Journal cover.  I took one of Kelly's images and used it as a source (image looks pretty darn similar except the word changed)

You can see the chalk that I tried to erase, but it will fade in time.  I'm okay with it. (I used it as a guideline before tracing over with a Sharpie Paint Pen.)  I still am looking for a good white pen/fine marker.  Any ideas?

I added the word "journey." to the bottom corner as I am using this book to journey into new artistic learning & challenges.

The next journal cover I completed was my One Little Word binder.  My word is heart...and I had a hard time debating about going with Neon Red Paint Pen or white.  I ended up using neon as the white chalk draft didn't pop enough for me. ...plus my book colors inside are pastel pinks, grays, etc.  I used Kelly Barton as a reference again, changing some of the design and adding my word "HEART" to it.

Again, the chalk is visible but will fade.

My goal is to create my own "style" of artwork by using bits and pieces from what I have learned.  I do know that my artistic growth starts by mimicking drawings of others until I feel comfortable enough to dive into my own element and themes.  Not sure about you all, but many times I tend to overthink ideas which then cause my mind to tire and I end up doing nothing vs. just getting the artisitic juices flowing.

However you learn how to draw, art, sketch, create....keep at it.  Practice is required. 

Imperfections need to be embraced.  And those as well take practice for the mind to accept.

The final element I added was a sparkly, glittery heart on a chevron patterend paper.  The heart was from a piece of garland I found at Michaels on sale a while ago for Valentines Day.

And now my journals feel more personal than just a book I bought to draw in.

(this style of art is addicting...I may end up doing the back of the journal covers :)

Under the Moon

Inspired by a the video Mindy Lacefield published on YouTube, I created a serene painting using various media, tissue, sand paper, and India ink.

And the painting found its home. (Loved working on the wood canvas primed board)

More Bunny Love.. .

Loved the bunny illustration so much I made an inspirational/motivating bunny for a friend.

The fun is just getting messy and adding layers upon layers of various media. 

Here is the process in pictures: 

The start of the background (above).  Making painted tissue (below)

Then I started covering up the bacground with the bunny and various doodles.

 I added the flowers and other elements.  For some reason I have moved a small amount of supplies from my art room into my living room and tend to do more art work there.  I guess it's just more open or feels brighter for the moment.  If you ever come to my house, there are art supplies scattered throughout , tastefully of course, for whenever the artistic flair hits me (journals, pens, colors, paints, etc.art books) Most major supplies and utensils are located in the art room upstairs.

 I just love it.. .. anyways, back to the art...

 I think a big new LOVE for this project was the use of painted tissue paper & sculpting images in wet paint with the end of the paintbrush.   As you can see the small bunny faces, pie charts, words, and flowers were done using this technique.

And the finish product.

DID IT GET YOU TO MOVE?  FEEL HOPE? DREAM?

I hope so :)

Hello April! Hello Sweetness!

HELLO APRIL!  HELLO FRESH AIR!  HELLO 80 DEGREE WEATHER! HELLO SUMMER DRESS!  HELLO SUNSHINE!