UncategorizedDIY Abstract Art March 18, 2015 If you read Rosie’s Birth Story, you’ll remember me talking about my “Waiting on Rosie” paintings. The day before Rosie was born, I had this insane burst of nesting energy and was rushing around our house trying to finish things. In my head, I still had time before Rosie was coming, but I wanted rooms finished. I have long wanted to try my hand at DIY Abstract Art. I tend to buy vintage art and I love something graphic and modern paired with it. The great thing about abstract art is that you really can’t mess it up. Now, I’m in no way claiming to be an artist and I know a legit, trained artist would disagree with me. I’m talking about purely creating a piece to enjoy in your home that you love. On that afternoon, I was setting up my office (that I’ll be featuring really soon). We moved my office to the front bedroom in our house and Rosie’s nursery took over the old office. My goal for setting up the new office was to buy absolutely nothing and put all of our resources to the nursery design, but I still wanted it to be a pretty and inspiring space. I was sitting at my desk looking at the tie-dye curtains and just had this overwhelming sense that the room needed abstract art to balance the curtains and it needed it now. I gathered materials I had around the house. I took two small leftover canvases and some foam core that we cut to fit some empty frames that were lying around. I pulled out leftover paint from various projects and a variety of brushes. As I was getting this set up, Chris kindly said, “Is this really the priority right now?” We had a lot that we wanted to do to prepare for Rosie’s arrival. Important things like laundry and organizing. Paintings weren’t on that list. I looked at him and said it had to be done now. He sweetly helped me set up and didn’t say another word. I just started painting. This is one of the first times in my life that I have let myself just create with NO PLAN, NO FORETHOUGHT. I painted for several hours and what initially started as two matching paintings for the office turned into many paintings to spread throughout the house. It was the most fun I’ve had in so long! I started with the office paintings. The focal wall in this room that is across from the door had two small sections of wall on either side of the centered window. I had two matching wood frames that fit perfectly. I wanted a graphic and simple design on these with a lot of contrast. I pictured a large-scale pattern with only straight lines to balance the organic feel of the curtains. Instead of traditional black and white, I chose navy and white. I thought black would feel too stark paired with the curtains and navy was dark to give me contrast, but still in the same color family so it worked. I didn’t want them to match, but I really wanted to coordinate. I realized once I was done that they’re an inverted version of each other! That’s what you get when you don’t plan and you just start painting! But I love how they turned out and how they balance that tie-dye. More on the office/guest room to come soon! I knew that I was creating a gallery wall in Rosie’s room, so I started on a small canvas for it next. Like I said, no plan here, so I just started layering on color. I just happened to have several shades of mint and green, coral, and navy leftover in paint samples. Her nursery colors! It was perfect. After a bit of painting line after line, I realized this painting needed something to ground it. I went over what was currently there with the big navy lines and then that pattern really helped me finish it. I worked off of that with my varying colors and love how it turned out. I really love the dimension that different shades of the same color add! After finishing, I worked in a tiny bit of copper paint that I had and I love the sheen it has. I had one big gilded gold frame and had cut a large piece of foam core for it. After finishing these, I was excited to create a big colorful piece for our main living areas. This one got a little crazy! By this time, I was having a blast and just slinging on paint. But I love how it turned out. I started with a navy base and then worked my greens and coral on top. This one took about two hours to paint. I don’t know that it really needed to take that long, but like I said, I was having so much fun just creating! I kept adding lines and shading and new colors. After I was pleased with the color and current state of the painting, I took some gold and added it in throughout. It makes it feel really finished to me. I’m starting to freshen up our house for spring and am loving this art as the centerpiece of our mantel! Colorful art can be the best inspiration for a room and I loved pulling colors from it down to the sitting area. I love the fresh combo of teal and red mixed together. I loved it in the paintings and I love it translated here with the rug, throw, and pillows. This was exactly what the doctor ordered on that afternoon when I was filled with anxiety and anticipation! I forgot about the to-do list and really let go of the pressure of a finished product, which I never do. These paintings hold a lot of meaning for me and I love having them around. I love that they remind me of what it felt like to anticipate our little Rosie. But, I also love having the reminder to let go of the pressure of perfection and the pressure of what others will think. It reminds me of why I started this blog in the first place. Because I love to create. In doing these paintings, I didn’t worry about failing. I didn’t worry about what readers would think. I just painted and experimented. I gave myself the freedom and pleasure to create for myself. And it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time! I’ve realized that I’ve got to incorporate more time like this into my design process. It’s freeing and I really think it gives you a fresh perspective and in the end, will be more pleased with the finished product. And have a lot more fun along the journey. For all of you creators out there, I’d love to know… Are you a planner and know the steps before you start? Or do you just begin and let the project lead you? Maybe it’s good to have a little of both 🙂 Happy creating friends!
Rosalind Ross says March 18, 2015 at 12:22 pm When putting together a room, I like to have a loose plan in my mind and then let it go from there. I want our home to feel lived in and collected and I feel like my normal “planner” self wouldn’t allow that to happen. Trying to take more of a “go with the flow” attitude these days. I love that these painting mean so much to you! Reply
kristin says March 18, 2015 at 4:56 pm i need those curtains! where are they from? also i love the abstract with a traditional gold frame — such a neat mix! 🙂 Reply
Corinna - For My Love Of says March 18, 2015 at 6:31 pm Ohmygoodness I love the final, crazy one! So unique! The navy ones remind me of shibori! I will definitely have to try my hand at abstract painting. Reply
Leslie @ Oh, the Fun says March 20, 2015 at 9:39 am Painting is so much fun when there are no “rules”! Yours turned out GREAT! Reply
Audra says March 20, 2015 at 2:23 pm Your mantle seeming to be smiling! Do you see the the eyes, the beautiful painting of a nose and the magnificent smile?! She is Happy! Reply