Thursday, July 7, 2011

And Voila.... Art!

I have essentially nothing on the walls of my house and I really need to fix that. Reason # 876 why I love the blog world, it's all about ideas and inspiration and inexpensive ways to create beauty in your home. So, I have big, empty walls, no money and very few original ideas, where to begin?

Well, what do I love? Colour. Texture. Fabric. Big pieces that make a statement. (and cover up big, empty walls)

And what do I have? Wood. Scrap wood. Lots and lots of scrap wood. And paint. Lots of small bottles of craft paint in all my favourite colours!

Hey, maybe I can put the paint on the wood! And then somehow attach it all together charm someone into attaching it all together for me. That could be art, right?


Well, I think so. And you might too. I've been inspired by many, many beautiful wooden art projects so it's definitely not an original idea, but that's ok - I've only had one original idea in the last year and I used it up on my chalkboard dresser, which is totally worth checking out, if only because it's my only original idea... I do like to think that anyone can make this concept their own just by using a palette of your favourite colours and assembling the pieces in a way that makes you happy.

So here's how you too can create your own wall art in just a few easy steps.

1. Sweet talk someone (in my case, it was my husband) into making you a whole bunch of fabulous pieces of wood furniture (may I suggest a bookshelf, a mudroom locker/cubby system, picnic table, bench, and outdoor lounge chairs?  Man, I really am charming!)

2. Insist on saving scraps because you have a really great art project in mind. Leave them in a plastic bin for 5 months.

4. Take out the pieces and slather a different colour paint on each one, sometimes squirting two or even three different colours on one piece and letting them mix together as you spread the paint around. Sand off some of the paint you just put spent all that time applying.

5. Lay out all the pieces trying to figure out how to put it all together. Completely lose interest in the project and put all the pieces back into the bin.

7. Let stand for 1 year (at least). If some of the pieces are strewn about the yard by small children and left there through the winter, so much the better. If you did it right, the pieces will be dirty and stained and maybe even a bit warped!

8. When one evening, your husband takes out all the pieces and his saw, spring into action and lay the pieces out again, sawing off small bits here and there, and form them into a sort of wooden quilt.

9. Use a pocket jig tool thingy (which makes "pocket" holes so you can attached wood pieces side-to-side).


10. Attach two long pieces of scrap wood to the back from top to bottom to stabilize it and give you something to attach the hanging wire to.

And there you have it! Art. Made out of wood, covered in paint, looking like fabric, with lots of texture and impressive large-wall covering capabilities.

Don't over think it. It's going to look beautiful no matter how it goes together so don't worry if there are two of the same colour beside each other, etc. This blue board somehow escaped the natural distressing process of being left under the picnic table all winter and looked too clean so I took a pinch of soil out of my garden and rubbed it into the paint - the best thing to make things look dirty is dirt!



The imperfections are what makes it so appealing to me, I don't know what that circle mark is, but I like it! Ditto that split in the grey piece. I think it was a mistake cut made early in our furniture making days - love it!


So there you have it. I made art. And I do believe that makes me (and the guy who put it all together) an artist! It's hanging over my fireplace...



and every time I look at it, it makes me happy and really, that's all that matters!



Linking Up Here – come join the parties!




33 comments:

  1. I love this! The colors are wonderful. They are some of my favorites too. I don't think you can make anything that I wouldn't like!

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  2. I LOVE this! LIKE REALLY LOVE this! I would SO love one right in my house! You have some GREAT projects I always enjoy coming over for a visit! :o)
    Jaime from Crafty Scrappy Happy

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  3. Wonderful idea! It's so very beachy and summery!!! Perfect idea for simple art on my lanai...
    Jane (artfully graced)

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  4. LOVE it. This would look so great at my Inlaws beach house! Gorgeous!
    Tana

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  5. It looks great. The colors are so relaxing. :)

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  6. This is gorgeous! I love anythng beachy & this is one of my favs.

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  7. Oh my goodness! I love this!!! I must make one!

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  8. This project if fabulous and quite gorgeous! Something like this would cost a *fortune* in an upscale shop! Love it!

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  9. I so love this! Thanks for sharing this great project!

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  10. Those color combinations are awesome! That IS a work of art!
    Midge

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  11. That turned out fantastic! I'm going to have to pin this into my DIY board!

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  12. I love this...I do custom wood signs for customers and have a huge stash of leftover wood...have been looking for something "eclectic" to put over our bed...this is it...

    Thanx for sharing!!!
    Tinglelaneprimitives.blogspot.com

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  13. Wow, this is absolutely beautiful! Really a great statement piece for sure.
    www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

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  14. I love this! The colors are amazing. Great idea.

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  15. Stopping by from think pink sundays! Love the colors you chose! Awesome job!

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  16. i love the scale, and I love the colors! You did a fantastic job!!

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  17. Oh my goodness that is amazing! The colors really make it!

    The Miller's
    Prezidential Life

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  18. Very creative indeed. Looks fantastic over the fireplace.

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  19. THIS I love! Every single thing about it speaks to me and I just dragged my reluctant hubs off the couch to show him what his new weekend project will be. We are in the middle of doing some decorating updates and our fireplace is lacking creativity - this is going to work beautifully. Thanks so much for the inspiration {you have yourself a new follower!} ~Liz

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  20. I absolutely love this and the color combo is one of my favorites. I'm a bare wall house owner as well, just need to take the time to figure out what I want attempt at creating to decorate the place. This is definately inspiration!

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  21. Thanks so much for linking this up to Think Pink Sundays!! I love how it turned out - the colors and distressing are perfect! I featured you today - http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/07/crush-of-the-week-think-pink-features-14/

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  22. oh wow, this is gorgeous! What a great piece of art! I'm inspired!
    Jo-Anna

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  23. We absolutely LOVE your wall art. Awesome color choices. thanks for linking up. We are featuring you.
    Amy and Emily

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  24. Love it! I just used a pocket jig thingy myself yesterday. This gives me inspiration for more projects!!
    Thank you for linking up to Amaze Me Monday. I will be featuring you on this weeks party!

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  25. I just spent some time browsing around and I love your blog and all your creative projects! I'm following along. Looking forward to getting to know you!

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  26. I totally enjoyed your post and your wooden thing is art and it's beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!

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  27. Found your post on Trendy Treehouse link party! I LOVE it! I'm actually decorating a friends house on a VERY VERY tight budget and I've been searching for something to hang above their bed. I might have to use this :) I'll make sure to give you credit if I do!

    check out my site

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  28. Love it! I saw something like it while "idea" shopping in Arhaus and thought of making it myself! Yours turned out beautiful!

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  29. This is so beautiful!! I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/diy-wooden-wall-art/

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

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