Hello,
painting friends!Here’s a simple
question:what do you love to
paint?
Maybe that
isn’t as simple as it seems. I love paintings of flowers, but I actually enjoy
painting landscapes more.So I
guess my real question is:if you
could spend the next week learning how to paint something, what would that be?
(In this game, money is no object and your time is your own.All you have to do is paint.)
And like me,
do you enjoy painting a certain subject because you’re pretty good at it?Or because the subject intrigues
you?Or because you love it so
much you just have to get it down on paper or canvas? Or because
it’s how you make your living?
Hello,
painting friends! If you’ve clicked on the MyCraftivity Shop on this website
lately and browsed through the painting instruction books available in the
Painting and More section of the menu, you’re probably feeling a little
overwhelmed at the huge selection and the variety of subjects. There are books
for every style of painting, every genre, every subject, and most mediums.
But you may
be an artist who is simply looking to improve your painting skills, build solid
techniques, and truly understand the mediums you use.If you could take a “private lesson” with a well-known and
successful artist just by watching a DVD, would you?
Yes, there
are many DVDs on the market by popular artists (usually the ones on TV) who
quickly demonstrate paintings from start to finish, and that’s fine.
But what if
you want more in-depth instruction that enables you to master techniques and
skills at your own speed?
Would you
buy a DVD that provides that kind of instruction?Where brushstrokes are broken down step by step and shown
slowly enough that you can follow along on your own canvas?Where the artist explains the “why” of
painting, not just the how-to?
DVDs are the
perfect medium for this type of learning because you can see the artist in
action, see exactly how he holds and uses the brush, how she fixes mistakes
while the paint is still wet, and so much more.
What are you
thoughts?Would you value having
DVDs like this for yourself or not?
Hello,
painting friends!In my blog from
July 31, I talked about the HOOT show in Columbus, Ohio.HOOT stands for “Heart of Ohio Tole”
and it’s the largest regional painting show in the country, held every August
at the Columbus Convention Center.
I made my
annual pilgrimage to the show a couple of weeks ago and am happy to report that
creative painting is alive and well. The aisles were crowded with shoppers
spending money on project books, pattern packets, brushes, paints, surfaces and
supplies. Classes were full, people were lined up for the free demos and booths
were selling out of products. It was fun and exciting to be in the midst of it
all!
Crafters and
quilters would feel right at home, as decorative painters are broadening their
horizons to create handcrafted items that are embellished with painted designs.
Every year, HOOT raffles off a handmade quilt that represents the theme of that
year’s convention.This year, the
theme was “Painting is My Cup of Tea” and the quilters created and painted a
gorgeous sampler of teacups and teapots, while another artist hand-painted a
beautiful china tea set.
If this type
of gathering sounds like your cup of tea, make plans to visit the HOOT
convention next year, August 10-15, 2009.If June is a better time for you, the national convention of the Society
of Decorative Painters (SDP) takes place in Peoria, Illinois, in mid-June of
2009.
Conventions
like these are a goldmine of ideas and products by and for painters and
crafters, so don’t miss out!Websites are fine, but there’s nothing like talking face to face with
real live artists who make a living from their art and who are willing and
eager to share what they know and love.
Thanks, Jan
and Brenda, for your replies to my queries about painting knotty pine!Now I realize why I always see knotty
pine furniture, cabinets and wall paneling with just clear varnish or
polyurethane on them rather than paint.I had no idea that the knots will continue to bleed sap – my chest of
drawers is at least 20 years old and I’m taken aback that after all this time,
the knots are still doing that, even with a couple coats of paint over them!
Oh well, lesson
learned…Next time I buy any
unfinished furniture that has knots in the wood I will be sure to seal them
first with varnish.Actually, I
think I’ll do better than that and just buy clear pine instead – if it’s
affordable.
My poor
little chest of drawers will be moving to the basement and I’m sure I’ll find a
use for it.I’m relieved to have
it out of my sight.Time to move
on…
Hello,
painting friends!I’ve come across
a problem in my attempt to paint a piece of furniture, and I hope someone can
give me some advice.
I bought a
simple wooden chest of drawers about 20 years ago, and because it was made out
of knotty pine and was unfinished, it was cheap-o. At the time, I didn’t know
you could upgrade to clear pine for a little bit more money.
So…all this
time the thing has been in my house with those big knotholes staring at me, and
finally I couldn’t stand it anymore and I decided to paint it with acrylic
latex paint.I did two coats,
sanding in between, but guess what?Those blankety-blank knots are starting to bleed through.Arrrrghh!
Should I
sand the whole thing again and try using Kilz primer?Or is there something I can apply to the knots to cover them
up permanently?Or should I put
the chest down in my basement and pretend it never happened?
