This past week I was watching how-to videos on YouTube. I
started with oil painting, then went to mixed media, and ended up on Steampunk.
I found altered tins, altered frames and art on canvas.
Needless to say I was very inspired. I have been struggling
with what to do for art to sell on my Etsy webstore. I spend every day looking
for ideas. The time I spent on YouTube was more valuable than I can say. I got
very excited about going back to doing some of the crafting I did when I was
first writing this blog.
The project today, an altered picture frame, came from that
time on the computer.
I started with a frame that measures 7 ¼” x 9 ¼”. It is a
wood frame designed to hold a 5x7” picture. I bought it to use for a small
watercolor painting. Now it has a different life.
First I glued on some paper doilies. These are the ones you
find in the cake decorating section that are used to put under cakes and
treats. I laid the pieces on so they would create an old style of texture. I
used ModPodge as the glue and as a seal on top.
After that dried I began gluing a variety of watch parts,
hardware and other fun stuff. I used an old ne.cklace (cheap, not real gold) as
a chain to connect the gears and other parts. The idea was to create the look
of machinery. I used E6000 glue for this. It is a wonderful industrial strength
glue that will hold the heavier pieces on the frame with no problems. It also
stands up to being painted with the acrylics and water.
I collect junk. Yes. I pick up washers, screws, wire, and
other things that I find on the ground. My husband brings me some amazing metal
pieces when he takes apart any appliances or computers. I also was lucky to get a whole box of watch
parts from a friend a few months ago. I don’t think he knew the value of that
box.
I let the glued piece sit overnight. It sets quickly but
isn’t really dry for about 24 hours.
I mixed some ModPodge with some of the raw umber acrylic
paint. Approximately 1/3 glue and 2/3 paint. The theory is that the glue will
help the paint adhere to the pieces glued on. I also did not want an opaque
look. I wanted the pieces to have cohesive look but not enough to mask their
unique looks. Like the watch faces. I wanted to be able to still see what makes
them so cool looking.
I let this paint/glue coating dry. Next I took some Folk Art
brand metallic acrylics, Metallic Antique Copper, Metallic Blue Topaz and
Metallic Pearl White and added some accents. I did thin watered down washes and
just dabbed with a brush. I wanted highlights and subtle colors all over. It
was looking a little boring and the colors just added a little pizzazz. Then I did a last light coat of the ModPodge
to seal it. Since I had done watered down washes I was concerned about the
integrity of the paints. The final seal coat will keep the paint from rubbing
off. (But the fact that it’s gloss over metallic paint made it hard to
photograph)
It’s ready for the glass to go back in, and ready for a
picture. It’s also ready to go on Etsy to be sold. And I am ready to create
another one. I am also planning to do some similar work on canvas to create
some fun artwork for my Etsy shop. I am so excited right now about these
projects. I am enjoying the break from the too serious work of oil paintings
and designing coloring pages.
Sometimes you just have to stop and give yourself a chance
to remember what excited you in the past. What are you passionate about?
You know, just because you know how to do something does not
mean you have to do it. I know how to paint landscapes and I know how to sew.
But I don’t have to keep doing these things if they don’t excite me.
As always, I hope I have been able to inspire you to try
something different. Or at least to consider new things.
Life is more interesting when we change our view of it.
Til next week.
Terri
1KrazyRtist
www.etsy.com/shop/1krazyrtist
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