I decided to take a break from my ladies series and paint a still life.  I was trying to relax and not overthink the piece.  But I do I like a rich base to add interest and movement (and little surprises).  While the end result looks like a still life, there is so much more underneath.  Prayers, cartoons, pages from a 1970’s farmers almanac, calendar pages, maps, and more.  And, obviously, I have a thing for incorporating a word. There is so much more to appreciate if you can see it in person, but here’s how it works:

I take a canvas and add a variety of papers with matt medium and let it dry completely. I think about an overall theme.  Something like this (which is a new piece I painted today):

Then I choose a color palette and start adding paint.  If I build it up too much, I take sandpaper and sand the paint off after its dry, which softens everything.

Finally, I added my still life, built it up, sanded it to soften it, added some accents and a word.  Presto.

If you and your kids are bored this winter, dig out the scrapbook papers that you haven’t used in years.  Tear and cut them up.   Buy some small canvases, matte medium or (matte modge podge), and simple acrylic paints and brushes at the arts and crafts store.  Build it up, add some paint, and have some fun!  And don’t forget to send me a picture of the finished project!