Tag Archives: #framemakeover

Grey Skies Are Gonna Clear Up!

Painter's Sky over Mingus. SMD 2020
Painter’s Sky over Mingus. SMD 2020

I’ve been so busy finishing up small projects. A few large ones too. I finally cleared off my desk! Whew! Just in time for the September 30-DAY CREATIVE GATHERING!

Holy Moly! September already!!?

And I am sorry to say, that again this year, I have done very little painting since the February challenge. Where has the time gone??? Haha.

Today I am sharing a photo of the frame I started months ago. It is done, but I think I might try it again with a DecoArt Metallic Lustre. What do you think?

Painting Gift from Sea Dean.
Painting Gift from Sea Dean.
Frame close-up
Frame close-up

Before, the frame was a worn black, with a red underpainting. It was battered and dinged. I sanded it in spots and painted it a light silver. I then added black brush strokes (fan brush) and small spattering. I finished with an “aging”, a thinned layer of brown, and a sealer. I don’t like gold frames, weird I know. But the silver alone was too cold. I had to warm it up a bit.

I apologize for the poor photo. I am so happy to finally have a frame on this gift from Sea Dean! (It may have been a contest win.) This was an “Oops” frame from Hobby Lobby. 8 x 10. Marked at $24, then red-tagged at just over $6. But it would be well over $50 if it was custom ordered. SCORE!

Frame beginning
Frame beginning
Layer of Light
Layer of Light

The frame was the first project I started, and it was the last I finished. Haha. It was soon buried under piles of to-dos. After I had the silver on, I was afraid to ruin it. So silly. DUH! It’s only paint, and I can always start over. Right?

This next paint project was a quickie. I found a tray online, the description said, “beach wood”, worn and weathered. Well, mine arrived and it was dark and dingy grey. Depressing and sad. Haha.

What I really wanted was a woven basket type tray. But those are outrageously expensive. Naturally. My budget-friendly solution was to add a warm and “sunny” finish. I had to sand a few spots, but otherwise, the surface was flat and even. I used an old gift card to apply the paint. I poured the paint directly on the tray.

Awesome happy accident! The wood grain remained visible under the multiple layers of paint. I think five layers. I wanted it to look like it had been painted many times over the years.

Wood Tray
Wood Tray
Tray in use.
Tray in use.

We are in our Monsoon season. It runs from the middle of June until the end of September. So far, it is a figment. Fragment. We have only had very short spurts, of … sprinkles. Haha. For the last few days it has been dark and dreary. And dry.

Still, the sky puts on a good show.

Shades of White. SMD 2020
Shades of White. SMD 2020
Black and Blue. SMD 2020
Black and Blue. SMD 2020
Pink Light. SMD 2020
Pink Light. SMD 2020

I have started my first painting for the September Gathering. The last project on my to-do list. It is a 36-inch square canvas. The one that has been on my wall for four years unfinished. Haha. Tune in next week…

Tools
Tools

Paint is only wasted when it stays in the tube.

Hope you are all staying safe, and well.
Safe from fires and floods… and upheaval.

Getting Crowded

Adding Layers
Adding Layers

Today I am adding layers to the postcards. Pencil marks and scratches. I had a burst of energy at about 9:30 last night. It didn’t last long, but I did get quite a bit done. Some cleaning and what you see here.

Layer of Light
Layer of Light

I found a great discounted frame at Hobby Lobby. Solid wood. Just over six bucks! A steal. I think it may have been rejected because a couple of the corners don’t match up well. I used a black nail file and fixed that right quick. Haha.

I had no idea if it was a standard size. I knew I could find something to fit. I worked in framing years ago, and I can’t resist a great deal on a frame. Luck was on my side! It is standard, 8 x 10. Woo Whoo!

I knew I would paint it. Of course. You know me. It had a red undertone, and I wasn’t keen on it. I will add several layers. It will be darker and look slightly aged. I’m hopin’. Stay tuned.

Frame Update
Frame Update

I finally made a start on the Sandy Sandy class I won on Instagram. She will be doing more giveaways, follow her if you are interested. Her work is stunning and she is a wonderful teacher. (Thank you Sandy! And thanks to Christine B. or Kat V.R.! One of you tagged me for this.)

I have started on the videos that are included. And I have some sketches ready for painting. I don’t have a lightbox, so I use my computer screen to transfer the reference images.

Sketching Sunflowers on Yupo and Paper with Sandy Sandy
Sketching Sunflowers on Yupo and Paper with Sandy Sandy

“I am working with the enthusiasm
of a man from Marseilles eating bouillabaisse,
which shouldn’t come as a surprise to you
because I am busy painting huge sunflowers.”
Vincent Van Gogh