Faux Finish Walls

 

I painted this picture years ago and never liked it but recently my husband decided he wanted to hang it on his office wall.  It looked terrible on the white walls so I decided to paint the wall it was on a dark green as an accent color.  After rehanging the painting I still wasn't happy.  Since I like the glow I had gotten on the stencil plaster background, I decided to use different shades of Modern Master's Metallic Paints.
Using various large soft bristle brushes I added several colors and blended them to create a soft, almost Venetian plaster look.  I applied a matt finish on the finished wall and rehung the painting.  What a huge difference it made.  The once unwanted painting became a huge success.  Sometimes your artwork just needs a "WOW" background to bring out the colors.

 

stencil painting

This wall was painted with metallic paints. I used both Modern Master Metallics and Martha Steward metallic paints to create glowing shades of brown. I used 4 mil mylar to create aspen tree stencils. (If you don't want to make your own you can order very nice stencils from http://www.victorialarsen.com/default.htm
She also carries the blank mylar if you want to make your own. I found that using a wood burning knife worked much better than a stencil burner.
I mixed 20 minute drywall mud and a 4" drywall knife to apply the drywall mixture over the stencils. Once the drywall mix dried I painted about half of the leaves with Modern Masters "Flash Gold" paint to add more shimmer and light for more realistic aspen leaves. The 2 aspen trees form a framed setting and would look great with a white wicker bench and potted plants sitting around it. Just another fun wall to bring walls to life in your home.

Another Tree

I'm having so much fun leaning about painting on walls. This is a simple tree that I painted freehand on the wall. I wanted it to look like there is a gentle breeze and some of the leave are falling off and drifting around. Since my bedspread is white right now and it is winter I liked the idea of bears dressed for an winter outing sitting under the tree. What little girl wouldn't love to play and snuggle under her covers at night in this room?

You can't see the color on the leaves very well but I painted a metallic "Flash Blue" over the black leaves. When the light shines on them they become a brilliant peacock blue.

With a simple tree like this in a child's room it would be so easy to change the decor with each season. I can visualize tall dolls sitting and standing around a small child's table having a tea party for the a summer look. Add a lace table cloth and baskets of flowers to brighten the setting. Hang a noose from the ceiling and sit scarecrows under the tree for fall with fake spinderwebs criss crossing from the walls in the room. If you chose to have a winter setting all year, try painting snowflakes with Moder Masters "Flash Blue". It will hardly be noticeable on light walls but you will catch a glimpse of color for the impression of falling snow. How about stuffed bunnies, chicks and little fluffy lambs under the tree for spring. So many fun things to do with a simple design.

Oh, all the bears were found at various thrift stores on Seniors half price sells. Another fun project for the budget minded!

Funky tree painting

I've been in Denver the past 10 days having fun with my sister. We decided to paint a funky tree on the bedroom wall. We painted the wall black and the tree white with black vines. The leaves are a metallic paint called "Flash Copper". A plain beige wall became a fun place to retreat at night and it only took one day.

Bunkroom Mural

I just finished my first mural for the bunkroom in our house. The paints don't show well but are metallic paints. They glow and change as the light changes or as you walk by. You can see it glow a little at the top by the window. These paints can be purchased at a lot of paint stores. I used a combination of Martha Steward metallic paints and Modern Master Metallic Paints. The colors are copper flash, gold, medallion, flash blue, antique bronze and antique copper. I highlighted the background with gold flash and blue flash. It is amazing what these colors do. After painting the horse I used a swiriling motion to use the same colors to creat the look of dust.
The bunkbeds in the room have throw pillows with horses in similar colors. I added a couple stuffed horses for kids who come to visit. A great way to add color and life to a dull room.

Watercolor cards

It is snowing in Colorado and I'm at my sisters having a great time doing simple watercolors that I will use as cards. I've stacked the cards one behind the other to dry and set one of Linda Petersons polymer clay characters in front to hold them up. I thought it was too cute and had to share it with you. Visit her blog and see what wonderful work she does.
http://www.lindapetersondesigns.blogspot.com

Another "Teardrop for Anna"

As another year draws to a close I am trying to get back into my studio. Another" Teardrop for Anna" is part of my collection for children born with heart defects. This piece was made by rolling a coil of clay and draping it around a piece of diachroic glass and looped from front to back to form the bail. The leaves were made from leftover clay in one of "Krafty Lady's" molds and attached with silver paste. The design idea was my sister-in-laws. Thank you Mary.

If any of you would like to make a piece like this I do have diachroic teardrops in various colors and sizes. Email me for more information.