How to: From trashed art to Wedding Welcome Sign

Sad but true, one of my favorite nights in Philly is Trash Night. Especially in a neighborhood of creative folk like Northern Liberties, there's a good chance you could find an abandoned piece of art or a hip but unwanted frame- or both. 

The first thing you want to do is check the quality of your found item to make sure it's worth keeping. Lay it flat and make sure it's not warped. Check the canvas- is it cracked or moldy? Not stretched properly? You can easily remove it from the frame by pulling out the staples and re-stretch a new piece of canvas if the frame is in good condition. If the whole item is in good condition, you can usually whitewash over it and start a new painting. Sometimes you will find that the artwork is on cardboard or canvas board, which is excellent for this project.

Materials:

Canvas or board with a frame that fits 

A few yards of tulle (in this example, it is sparkle tulle)

Paintbrush

Sponge (for texture)

Water jug (to rinse your brushes) 

Acrylic paints 

White chalk

Palette or something to mix paint on

Rag (to wipe your brushes on)

Optional: 

Staple gun

Hot glue gun 

First, you will want to whitewash over the original canvas or board. Usually two layers does the trick. Let dry. 

Take your brushes and paint the board with the acrylic paints. Dab it with a sponge to give it a textured look. Make sure you rinse your brush between colors unless you are looking to blend them. Let dry.

You might notice that the colors are very bright; this is normal, and will be subdued once you layer the tulle.

Layer the tulle over 2 or 3 times depending on how subdued you want the color to be and make sure there is a few inches extra around the border so you can tack it down on the back.

Taking your staple gun or hot glue gun, tack the tulle down in the back, making sure the fabric is taut with no wrinkles. 

Remember it's the back and it doesn't have to look pretty :-)

Take your piece of chalk and carefully write your message on the board. If you mess up, you can pat it off gently if its a light color. You may want to use a measuring stick and practice a few times on scrap paper to make sure you get it just right.

Next, take your paint and go over the chalk outline. You will need to do this slowly and carefully to avoid paint blobs. The thicker your brush and paint, the thicker the letters will be. 

Let this dry for a few hours or overnight.

Getting the board or canvas back in the frame:

Hot glue, staple or tape the back of the board onto the frame. 

Turn it around and you have yourself a beautiful painting for next to nothing! I displayed mine on an easel outside at the garden ceremony, and now it is hanging above my dining room table. 

Good luck and post a comment if you have any questions!

Post Nuptial Post

Hello art and goodbye blogging hiatus, I'm finally hitched and getting back to business. First, some pictures of the crafts I made for the wedding, and I will also be adding a tutorial to show ya how its done!

Guest book made with burlap, lace ribbon, and gold leaf on poster board letters 

My backdrop made of fabric

Directional signs made with fabric and fabric paint on cardboard 

90 foot burlap and lace ribbon-lined aisle runner

Welcome sign 

Candle Centerpieces using hops, barley, beer bottle caps, and votive candles inside of a vase

My wonderful sister who did so much graphic design and printing for us, and worked with my original paintings to create a beautiful invitation:

Www.julierado.com

Please check out my amazing photographer, Kate's Lens: 

http://kateslens.com/blog/index.php/2013/06/21/sarah-and-stus-wedding-in-philadelphia-race-st-pier-the-spring-gardens-yards-brewing-company-and-more/

My new post nuptial art goals are to get an etsy store up and running, and having my art available for purchase as prints on canvas and matted paper. And more art shows, of course :-)

More end of the year Arts & Crafts!

 Window Painting at Liberties Parcel, 2nd and Brown, Philadelphia

Glasgow High School 10 year reunion Pint Glass--I have several more if you want to order, email me!

It's Christmas Time in the City

The best thing about being a painter is the ability to transfer your skills to so many different mediums. In the fall, my canvases were people's faces. This week, I did a window painting for the first time since I was a kid and also put some finishing touches on my yearly "holiday fireplace" piece, that started out as a joke but has become a yearly traditional decorative piece in my home for the holidays. No matter what it is I am painting on, whether its a canvas, a window, the wall of a city building, or a face, it's all still fun and satisfying!

Espolon Tequila: A Night in the Alleys

Espolon Tequlia: A Night in the Alleys is a promotion for a delicious tequila from the Campari America brands. The event took place at North Bowl Lounge N' Lanes in Northern Liberties, Philly.  The entire club was turned into a wonderful evening of tequila, tacos, bowling and glowing Day of the Dead guests and staff, painted by ME!  Here are some pics:

  

Photos below from Amit G: 

http://philly.cities2night.com/photos/gallery/32107/0/20/espolon-nights-in-the-alley

http://philly.cities2night.com/members/profile/29688

June 1st Friday Old City/ Pix

We sold art. We ran out of beer.  Everyone had fun!

First Friday in June:Old City, Philadelphia

First Friday in June I will be exhibiting work at N3rd Gallery (12 N. 3rd St, at 3rd and Market in Old City, Philly) along with Cheryl Vu, Pete Radocaj, and Dan Lisowski.  Event time is 6pm-10pm, there will be drinks and merriness.  To RSVP on facebook, click here: First Friday June- Facebook

Also, here is a picture of my submission for Proof of Purchase.  The medium is what I have been working with lately, a brick colored grainy paint, and chalk pastels drawn into the mixture while it is still wet to create color and a very fun texture!