UpCycled Furniture

                                                       Upcycled Furniture

Upcycling, as defined by Wikipedia, is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.

If you follow my blog at all, you know that upcycled furniture or upcycling furniture is one of my favorite things to do.

Who knew I was being so "trendy".

Every one of the pieces of upcycled furniture that I work on have been cast off, headed for the dump and no longer loved.

Once they are completed - they become new Functional pieces of art. 

So not only am I having a great time painting in these bright colors - but I am being environmentally conscious and responsible.

That sounds so very grown up!

And if you know me . . .you know that is not always the case. LOL

 

UPcycled Cat-themed bar stool

Upcycled CREATE library chair

Upcycled Ladybug School-chair

Upcycled Creative Chef - Old wooden box converted to a classy garbage can

Upcycled Corner television cabinet



UPcycled Embrace the Moon Stool

My hand won't stop drawing!!

A new piece - actually a special request from a friend. And it shows some of the influence from my online class with JoAnn Sharp!



You saw this one a few weeks ago - but it is finished now and not so blurry!



It's Wednesday.

That means American Idol.

I admit it . . .I am an American Idol junkie.

I love the show - I grew up singing and performing.

I don't do it often now - but I do love listening to the performers.

However, there is a problem.

I don't have a cable connection in my art studio. I don't want tv in my art studio.

I do watch movies in there - and I have been known to netflix entire series of tv shows in there.

(OK - confession, I watch alot of tv shows on netflix in there - but it doesn't count, because there are no commercials!)

But I don't want the commercials in my studio. My studio is my sacred space and I don't want that in there.

So when I choose to watch AI on Wednesday nights - I either have to move everything that I paint with into another room - or forgo painting all together.

So instead - I compromise and doodle and draw and experiment with my paper and pencils and new markers.

And I am having a great time -

And I am enjoying the fact that they are so portable!

And now another confession . . .

I did it.

I broke down and have started my collection of copic markers.

I do not; however, have them yet.

It was more affordable to buy them online.

And now I will be experiencing Christmas is May!

So I will have to wait . . .and wait . . .and wait.

In the meantime, I will keep playing with these tombow markers and I'll keep you posted on my experimentation with the new copics once they arrive.

So to say the least - if you wonder where I will be at about 8:00 tonight -

it's a pretty safe bet that I will be sitting on my bed,

the tv remote close at hand,

and my drawing supplies spread out it front of me.

Another special order for someone who loves to share the joy a good message and lots of Color!!

I met Lisa during the holidays.

She bought a few things.

She then ordered a gift.

She then ordered something else.

Now we are decorating her new office.

Filling it with positive messages to help remind her of the importance of life, love and laughter. . .

Once again the power of words combined with color . . .

Lisa - I hope these pieces (meant to be a wall grouping) will add a splash of color to your plain walls

and will also help you keep a positive thought in your heart!

If You Give An Artist A Pencil . . .

And evening doodle created using sharpie and TomBow markers on watercolor paper.

So recently I decided to take an e-course.

I signed up and have been practicing (some) on decorative lettering with JoAnn Sharpe
If you are not familiar with JoAnn . . .seriously - drop what you are doing and check out her happy whimspirational art!
I have to admit - I have a bit of starstruckedness. (I know that isn't a word - but go with me here.)

As part of the class - there was a supply list.
Pens - check. Pencils - check. Rulers - check. Watercolors - check. Paints - check. Paper - check. Markers - Markers???
I don't usually buy markers. I've never liked markers -
Markers always leave lines and look . . .unprofessional.

I was really surprised when I learn that markers play a significant part in JoAnn's work.
And I LOVE JoAnns work.

So that got me to thinking -
Why markers?
What have I been missing?

Then I started researching and found a whole world I have never explored.
Markers!!!
Now you experienced people are probably thinking . . .
Who is this girl who doesn't use markers?
I mean - I know all about Crayola markers.
And then there Pentel markers, and the LePlumes. They are nice. They are ok.

But there are so many many many more.
I learned about TomBows.
Did you know they are waterbased and you can create a watercolor effect with a brush and water?
How cool is that???

And Copics
Oh Copics.
There are no words to describe the world of Copic that I have discovered.
Again - you seasoned artists are probably thinking - "Aah, who is this person? And she calls herself an artist!"

I shopped and perused online sites for information and pluses/minuses of the various brands and what they would do and what they were good for and one and one and on.
I watched video after video.
I have become obsessed.

In the end . .. I bought some TomBows. Two sets.
(Which in the end - one would have been sufficient, I think. But oh well.)

And finally - I am now adding pennies to my piggy bank to save up and buy copics.
Lots and lots of copics.
I am considering making a sign and standing on a corner.
The sign will read -
"Will work for copics".

And so you can see . . .
just like that little mouse in the children's book
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" . . .
This may never end.

A Chair for Diane

A New Chair -

I met Diane during a Holiday Sale that I participated in.

It was a small and intimate pop-up boutique sale at another artists home.

We spent some time talking and she decided that she wanted an art chair for her studio.

This weekend, I completed her chair.

Full of whimsy and tributes to nature.

Lot's of purples and lime greens and tangerine colors.

Hope it inspires Diane as she works in her studio.