So thought it would be interesting to share some of the painting process and what is involved…I use a lot of color and usually start with some base and then layering over that:
For example here is a almost white golden “Riley”
This started as:
Here are some of the layers over time (additionally client opted for more of a gray background vs green)
As you know I do a lot of custom pet portraits on the side.
Here’s an update of many from this year:
We moved this summer and have awesome built in benches. But of course they were just plain white wood:
So off to the fabric store….we already used a peel and stick wallpaper on the accent wall (which was amazing from RoomMates), so wanted a green/blue theme overall.
I thought the blue would be too much against the green leaves on the accent wall so went with the straight green/off white and the funky fabric for the back hall bench.
The foam insert I ended up getting at HobbyLobby since they had the best price and were closer than a JoAnn’s to us…had to measure and cut it though.
The blue board was ALSO a hobby lobby purchase that I painted the wood trim on!
BACK HALL:
My kiddo and I went to Avon, Colorado in September with the grandparents and they have the BEST little library there. Of course my kiddo found a book that featured a cat. A black cat like we have. A black cat named Meeow. Which then became his favorite book all trip and we had to hang onto it until the end AND check out the other 3 in the series. Which then lead to finding the on amazon. “Meeow and the Big Box” by Sebastien Braun
Which then in turn lead to making him his OWN Meeow.
Used: Felt for the eyes, nose and scarf with embroidery thread, soft black fabric from Michaels
Template: made a copy of Meeow from the book and then cut out the black from fabric
Attempts: 2!
First attempt I had put the eyes and nose on first then sewed his body BUT this black velvety fabric was NOT forgiving and the edges were fraying and there were holes once turned inside out….so into the trash that one went! Second time around I did just the black fabric cat, got him all stuffed overall THEN added the eyes and nose. (worked out much better)
I’ve been absent forever. This is what having a toddler does!!!! But seriously, I have been crafting a bunch and painting…..kiddo is at daycare and I have some time to myself, so time to update!
I love red pandas (and how much they sleep, seriously my spirit animal), and decided to use scrap fabric and make my own red panda pillow since there’s nothing great on the market. I had a bunch of different colors and was inspired by some freehand stitching on pinterest.
Here’s what I started with..I printed out the picture I wanted to go off of, then traced over a basic outline on a white piece of paper and cut out the individual pieces of fabric (using the paper as my template/stencil), pinned then how I wanted and sewed for the face. The freeform/freehand sewing was fun to do and adds so much….
Then added fabric to finish the pillow off…my kiddo was helpful passing me the pins and helping with the measuring tape! He was proud of it that night and took it over to daddy to show him, ha!
I did several custom dog paintings this year, although mostly this fall/winter. Hopefully 2018 will be a little more consistent since I’m not absorbed with learning all about a new baby 🙂
In addition to the handprint towels for presents, we also made some trivets! I bought tiles at Home Depot, and finished them with felt squares on the back and EnviroTex Light Pour on High Gloss Finish.
Materials:
Again, seated him in his high chair as he is super entertained in there with some food! Did all the prints, then went in with the details. Used the envirotex (see previous posting on coasters as well) and covered the back with felt squares (had picked up somewhere a stack of these already precut). Perfect unique trivets!
I had several commissioned pieces this past year- again, didn’t do much in the spring as busy adjusting to life as a mom, but now that I’m more into a routine, I’ve gotten back into the swing of things. Thought I would share some of my feline portraits of 2017.
So I’ve been super remiss on posting at all this whole year! And what a year it has been. Our little man is 11 months old and I’ll be honest, until August I really didn’t do much art OR crafts (baby life)…. but for Christmas presents we got on the bandwagon of footprint and handprint gifts. Horray for Pinterest ideas! We did kitchen tea towels for the grandparents and parents…
Some were plain foot prints, others I converted into birds, etc.
supplies:
Basically he was awesome in his highchair with some food to distract. I set up the towel on the clip board, inserted a piece of cardboard under the first layer to prevent soaking through, and a clip at the bottom to keep in place. Then painted his foot with the soft sponge brush and made a print bringing the clipboard up to his foot! Was able to clean his foot easily with baby wipes and then some water and paper towels. After they were all dry (and the little man was napping) I could go back in with the other details!
Besides Christmas gifts these can make great gifts for grandparents for birthdays or Mother’s day…
I had some extra glass jars from Goodwill (usually you can find in the kitchen section!). Then I purchased some toy animals from Michael’s and some green spray paint (again, we’re doing green accent colors in the nursery). Glued them on and you have fun animal themed glass jars for organizing! For now, have the mittens in one, socks in another (so easy to lose otherwise!) and pacifiers in another. I’m sure this will get switched up as we see what works and what we need out!
Birchwoodcat 