I have been saying for literally years that I’ve wanted to start making art for myself again. Since high school, I’ve only made a handful of pieces, and most of them have been gifts for other people. I’m not sure why it’s been such a struggle for me to make art, though I think it may have something to do with the fact that as I’ve grown I’ve gotten better at expressing myself more directly, so I no longer need to get my emotions and ideas out on canvas when I’m actually voicing them.
So, I’ve started my first art piece this year, hopefully one of many to come. I thought I’d share the process of creating this piece on the blog mostly just for fun but also so that if anyone wants to create something similar, the steps will be right here for you to follow!
Maybe you’ve seen some of the string and spirograph inspired art that’s been really popular lately…
I wanted to create something similar but with a colored background and bright eye-popping string. First though, I had to build a canvas. I’ve had the materials for a while now but just got around to putting them together yesterday.
I bought a pre-cut piece of poplar and 4 poplar slats for the sides. I positioned the slats on the wood canvas and marked off where I needed to cut them to fit.
I used a tiny handsaw from our toolkit to cut through each slat one at a time, with a sheet of paper on the floor to catch the sawdust.
Safety first!
When the canvas was assembled, I put some heavy books on top of it to weigh it down and let it sit for a few hours to dry. Then I ran a bead of wood glue around the inside edge and smoothed it out with my finger to add further stability.
Next step, fixing imperfections. I took the sawdust that fell onto the paper and mixed it with wood glue to make a sand-able paste.
Then I spackled it into any cracks, dents, rough edges, or low spots. It doesn’t have to be perfect since it’ll get sanded.
After drying, I applied one more coat of the sawdust spackle. Now it’s drying until tomorrow when I’ll sand it down and add the first coat of paint.
And that is how I made a wood canvas! I’ve been wanting to experiment with painting on wood because it’s so much smoother than canvas. I don’t like all the cloth texture that a fabric canvas has. Anyway, I’ll update as I work on it some more.
Have you ever recreated a craft project from one you saw online or on tv?
Hey sweetie!!! Never heard of string or spirogragh inspired art but that’s really cool. I know your project is gonna be awesome. What fun!!!!! OMG, I just thought of so many kinds of materials you could use……colored yarn, metallic string, copper wire, jute…..HOBBY LOBBY. Can’t wait to see the finished product. I have seen on T.V. how to make an upholstered headboard. It looks pretty easy and the shapes and materials are endless. I’m doing that next for my bed. Chocolate brown pleather or micosuede with 3 covered buttons centered.
I found some gorgeous turquoise crochet thread that I’m going to use on a dark blue background. We’re replacing our bed and mattress soon and I’ve been thinking about making a headboard like that too. You’ll have to show me how you did it if it turns out!
Can’t wait to see what you create! I’m a complete fail when it comes to craft, but everything you’ve said here applies to me in terms of creative writing/poetry, which I’m trying to consciously make time for right now
Hannah recently posted..Raw Vegan Pain D’Epice Truffles
Awesome! I have never been very good at creating poetry, I would love to read some of what you come up with.
*hides under the table*
Hannah recently posted..Cakespeditioning: The Palette Café at Beaver Galleries
Even in safety goggles your eyeliner looks perfect. You rock.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Building Blocks
Lol! I do have a steady hand.
Good talking with you this morning!!! The colors and materials for your project sound great. I love dark blue and turquoise together…reminds me of the sea. I can’t wait to see it!!!
I love that you wore safety glasses for this. It sounds like a fun project – – and reminds me of one of my favorite toys from my youth: Sparkle Sparkle Spirograph!!
Emma recently posted..apple tarte tatin with cardamom and pistachios
Yup, I had one of those too. Glitter. Everywhere.
I once made glitter shoes I saw on Pinterest. They actually turned out well. Good luck with yours!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Sriracha-whacha-whacha-whacha-want
Oh, I’ve wanted to do that! Maybe I’ll give it a try soon.
This is SO COOL Alayna!!! I can’t wait to see the final product! I think the sand-able paste you made is genius.
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