You guys were so kind when I posted about our living room and how my style has evolved over the last several years.
Since we painted the walls white, I’ve been keeping my eye out for small pops of color to infuse into the space.
After reading Nester’s post, I decided it was time to stop looking (and balking over spending $250), and make my own art.
I got a giant canvas for $13.50 (half off from Hobby Lobby), and pulled out some chalk and acrylic paints.
Next, you might want to have a piece of birthday cake while you surf for inspiration.
Especially if it’s your birthday & you’ve been eating organic and detoxing for 4 weeks.
Here’s the disclaimer: I’m no canvas artist. I like to think of myself as an artist, but not this kind. I have no illusions it’s this perfect creation, but I love the colors, the energy, and the way it makes me smile when I look into our living room.
I started with a layer of Provence chalk paint over the whole canvas, painting it on more opaque in some places & sheer in others.
Next, I dry brushed the entire canvas with Pure White chalk paint.
I think the trick for me (for the whole canvas) was varying the intensity in each layer.
I’ve got a thing for coral, so I picked a coral-red acrylic to be the pop in this piece.
As I worked with each color, I played with adding texture to some, and painting some on smoothly.
Then, by happy accident, I ran my finger across the still-tacky chalk paint, and realized it created this perfect texture.
I love happy accidents.
So that’s that. One DIY abstract canvas.
I like to think it’s still a work in progress…I’m sure I’ll look at it one day and need to change it, but for now it’s the perfect dose of happy in our neutral world.
I love it! That coral adds the perfect pop! I’ve pondered trying something like this, but then I remembered my kindergartener has more artistic skills than I do. 😉
I LOVE it! I’m not an artist either, but I’ve been playing around with paint and canvas too. It’s kind of addicting. Thanks for sharing your version. I hadn’t thought of the chalk paint and it does give it lovely texture.
shaunna – it’s lovely. i really love your art… 🙂
i think the entertainment center is beautiful and you love it cause your hubby built it… but it does compete with the fireplace as a focal point… i think i’d like it better on the far left wall… but..your home… love everything you do… such talent… Enjoy your day… xo Patty
Love the art but I was hoping that you’d show it above the fireplace??? Maybe to pull the eye toward the mantle and it’s beauty? Just a thought…..rj PS: I’m desperate for a beautiful mantle like yours!
I like it and good job for just DOING it!! It’s the kind of thing that I’m sure I would THINK about and WORRY about forever without getting up the courage to DO it!! 🙂
It looks Shaunna! I love your art, and the Nester is awesome for pushing our “Just Do It” button!
Debbie
that should say: It looks great!
Debbie
I’m not a canvas artist either. But for the redesign I did for our church’s youth room, I needed a REALLY big something on one wall. Working with a small budget prompts one to get “creative”..haha! I bought an ugly, but pre-framed 48″ x 52″ 1980’s oil-on-canvas print at a thrift store ($45). Painted right over it with latex paints left over from previous projects and it came out pretty much like a “vision” I had depicting what the Crucifixion might have looked had it been on the plains of ND where we live. Many people in the church thought the artwork was done by the art teacher in our congregation…so I guess it wasn’t too bad for a first (and probably only!) attempt. LOL! And with that huge size, it certainly did fill the space on the wall! But best of all, the youth like it!
It is beautiful, Shaunna!
I love the soothing colors!!!
Your dining room is my inspiration room and today I bought an old brass chandelier
to re-wire and paint and put on ,y dining room!
Cheers,
It looks great. I would love to try it but I would not know where to begin.
Linda J.
Thank you Shaunna, for giving us all a boost of courage. Even though I paint there’s something about the large scale that can be intimidating. Your piece is wonderful…peaceful but with a bit of color.
Love it in your room, Shaunna! You’re inspiring me to try this, I like the texture, too! I tried once – not a pretty sight!
I like your abstract. Like you, I love “happy accidents”. In fact, the last painting I sold was the result of a happy accident…and it was BEAUTIFUL!
Just a quick note to let you know that I liked what I read. Cheers!
I like how creative yet simple this art work is, this was very well done! great job =) I like how the room looks, especially with the painting added as a splash of colour! Where was the tv cabinet bought from? love the dark wooden look against the light neutral coloured furniture.
very nice!
Great tips on DIY wall arts. They are really good and very simple for everyone to try doing them.