Miscellaneous Painting

Couple of tall terracotta pots and saucers - given away as gifts. Photo taken before varnishing - the flash reflects off the shiny varnish and spoils the photo, however, after the varnish is applied the paint colours become richer and deeper.






Ikea Mirror - painted with wildflowers. Given away as a gift.

My friend brought me this tin trough to paint for her for her garden - pansies and tulips on one side and roses on the other.

Ikea mirror with roses - gifted.

Ikea mirror with magnolias - given as Christmas gift.

Another wildflower Ikea mirror

Wooden lazy susan and cork placemats - for my dining table

Mirror and wooden box - painted to match Rachelle's bedroom.

Small wooden trough paintined with daisies and rosebuds - gifted.

Daisy practice on mountboard

Daisies on mountboard with lace edging.

Pansies on large candle and wooden plaque.

Decoart Decorative Painting Course

I completed levels 1, 2 and 3 of the Decoart Art of Brushstrokes Decorative Painting Course in 2006. Travelling to a craft shop in Blythe, Nottinghamshire every Wednesday evening for eighteen weeks (150 mile round trip!!!). I really enjoyed this but have been very disappointed that more workshops haven't followed, it's not quite the same painting alone. Anyway, the following pictures are some of the things we did on the course, in no particular order as I can't remember exactly what went where.

Wiggle Flower

Painted lace on wooden coaster

Rosebuds on a faux finished Ikea mirror

More lace on card

Traditional English barge painting

Pansies and lace on a wooden plaque

Father Christmas on a wooden plaque

Teddy and daisies on a wooden plaque.

Rosebuds.........

............and daisies. I think these must have been the first couple of lessons on level 1.

Carnation - using a technique where the brush bristles are splayed and pushed. Not something you like doing with expensive brushes!!!

O Holy Night

I painted this from a free pattern design by Donna Atkins. Paul cut the three candle shaped pieces of wood. Unfortunately the pattern doesn't seem to be available any more so I can't credit Donna with a link to her site. I have found this blog though, and I think it could be the same lady.

Painted Snowmen

I love Deb Malewski's designs, particularly all these snowmen. The round coasters and "Snow Much Fun" were painted for my friend's Christmas gifts.



The stars are ornaments for our Christmas tree and "Snowmen, Snowmen, Come and Play" is hung on the wall at the appropriate time of year!

Painted Bears

Garden Bear - an adaptation of a pattern in an old painting magazine. It's painted on the lid of a largish papier mache box.

Bedroom door plaques painted for a new arrival and her toddler brother.

A couple of Deb Malewski's patterns - the first painted on mountboard and the second painted on on of my husband's carefully crafted wooden plaques.

A Nice Surprise

When checking my emails this morning, I noticed that "Today's Live Link" on the BADFA group (British Association of Decorative Folk Artists) was my very own Picturetrail. I was really chuffed that a famous decorative artist, who chooses the links, thought mine was worth featuring. Must admit I haven't bothered much with it since starting the blog, will have to spruce it up a bit now.

Freecycle and a Gift

I offered some old Folk Art paint on the local Freecycle yesterday - it was quite popular with 8 replies in 24 hours. The lady who ended up getting it makes plaster of paris models and fridge magnets for school stalls etc. She brought me a gift when she collected the paint - an orange segment fridge magnet and it is very nice indeed. I really did not have any use for that paint, not colours I would use, or that I had duplicates of - it feels much better giving it away than putting it in the bin.

Back to Painting

Instead of setting up my embroidery machine, which was the original intention for today, my daughter and I decided to do some painting. With the danger of frost almost over, we have set up studio in the summer house and started some projects. This is my effort for today - I'm well out of practice, it must be getting on for a year since I painted. Too caught up in my quilting adventures. Rachelle is working on a wood framed mirror too, but hasn't decided on her design yet. All basecoated ready to go when she does. I went freehand on the mirror while waiting on some flower pots to dry - they'll be OK to decorate tomorrow. The mirror is pictured unvarnished because it photographs better that way, no reflections. When the varnish is on, the colours come more alive.

Wooden Birdhouse

I bought a couple of these little birdhouses from Jane, last year when I was on the Art of Brushstrokes course at the craft shop in Blythe, Nottinghamshire. Like everything else, I took my time over finishing it, but it's now sealed and hung under the balcony of our summer house. It's decorative and not really intended to be a home for the birds. It's painted all over in a relaxed, casual Dewberry type design. A fun project.

Canal Ware - traditional English Folk Art

My painting has been on the back burner over the summer - I got caught up with the sewing, not to mention having a new machine to work with. Anyway, I finished this canal ware last week. It started out as a shining, silver aluminium tray and buckets from Ikea. I used multi purpose sealer, black and coloured Decoart Americana - finished off with a coat of Decoart Patio Clear Coat. It works, but it's not a tough finish - patio paint over metal primer would be better if it were to stand outside.