We like doing our own modern art here at The 2 Seasons. Mom made a couple of modern art projects (here and here), and I followed to make my own. We have a blank wall in our study, and I definitely wanted to add some color in the form of DIY art. Some people say this isn’t art but instead it is making home decor. Whatever it is called, it is a great way to create color and interest for your walls. Plus, it’s an automatic conversation piece.
We discovered the artist Cassandra Tondro and all of her amazing work. I found out she also had some Youtube videos that teach how to make your own art out of left over house paint. It looked like a fun project, and I decided to give it a try. I am happy to report that I had great success following her method, and I am about to share it with you.
To get started, you need a canvas, plastic drop cloth, old house paint, gloves. The first step is to find an area where you can spread out a couple of layers of the plastic drop cloth. I worked in my basement so the photos are not the best.
Once the plastic drop cloth is on the floor, take your canvas and map its size. I just marked the sides/size with Frog tape. You can also use a felt-tip marker if you don’t want to use tape.
Here is the plastic marked with the size of the canvas. This serves as the guideline for where the paint goes.
The next step is to get your paint ready to go. Remove the lids and stir each can of paint so that it is well-mixed. Put on some fun music, and take your first color and start pouring. This is when you determine if you want to make a design and how you want your colors to blend and mix.
The next couple of pictures all show me adding the color to area.
I had a lot of paint samples that I used. This project uses a lot of paint. The Habitat Restore sells house paint at a deep discount so if you need additional colors be sure to check out your Restore. Also, you can sometimes find discounted cans of mistake paint at Lowe’s and Home Depot.
Once you are happy with your colors and design, gently place the canvas on top of the paint. You can do an undercoat on the canvas beforehand if you want, and allow it to dry first. That is a way to add an additional color to your creation.
Take your hands and rub them on the canvas to get out any air bubbles and to spread the paint around and cover the canvas.
When you think you have covered the whole canvas, pull the canvas directly up from either a side or straight up. I pulled up from a side. Take it to an out-of-the-way area to dry for a couple of days. The colors need to dry and set so they won’t run when you hang it on the wall.
My canvas measured 24 x 36, but I also had a small canvas on hand. Since I had a lot of paint on the plastic, I decided to make another small creation using the same colors.
The possibilities are endless, and this would be fun for all ages.
The painting now has a home in our study and I LOVE it.!
Now it’s time to name this piece. Any suggestions?
Your art work looks great. Great idea on a different way to create art. I love it.
Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design
This is gorgeous. What a lovely idea. I am visiting you via Wow Us Wednesdays and look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas.
great idea and results…I love how your second one looks like a big flower!
Impressive! Looks like art to me! 😉
What a cool idea. Thanks for sharing….I am pinning to my “she’s crafty” board and would like to try this some time.
Great idea! Thank you!
Love, love love it. Thanks for sharing .
Boy! You make it sound so simple, and it is simple right? LOVELY idea and execution! And you have a great blog, found you thru Savvy Southern Style!
Wow! Your ‘art’ looks fantastic. I am a preschool teacher and every year we have to create
art on a canvas for the art show. I wonder if this would work with acrylic craft paint? My
children in my class could certainly do it!
Molly,
It is worth a try and since the canvas won’t be huge you won’t need as much paint. Let me know how it works out.
Cheers!
This is so awesome going to try this myself.I’ve been looking for something like this .THANK YOU
I think your pictures are gorgeous! Very creative, and it is definitely art!
Oh I LOVE this!! I am so excited to give this a try!
Something new for me to try! Pinned for later 🙂
Debbie
First of all let me say that whomever told you this wasn’t art has not been to a NYC gallery. I am a HUGE modern art fan and you did an amazing job!!! Thank you so much for sharing your art work with us! I need two giant pieces to fill space on either side of a fireplace. I have been at a loss because I don’t have 20k to spend. Your post ha solved my problem!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited to try this! You and your mom keep on rocking the modern art!
Madi,
Thanks for the kind words. This is such a fun project with a great end result so you should go for it! These would be perfect if you have a big space to fill. If you do it be sure to send us a picture!
Cheers!
Did you put something on the side so that they paint didn’t run over to the side of the canvas? I love the pictures. This is such a GREAT idea.
Patty,
I did not put anything on the sides and just a tad of paint did run over on the sides but I really do not even notice it. If you do not want to chance it I would suggest putting some painters tape on the sides to tape off that part from paint running over. Good luck!
Cheers!