Fearless Friday, Getting Started
One of the hardest parts of the painting process is simply getting started
I am often inspired by a photo, an experience, a color, the way the light falls on something…and often my mind is so full of ideas I literally “can’t see the forest for the trees”
At this point I turn to one of my favorite organizing tools, Pinterest, and create a board to organize my thoughts, to actually see my ideas and inspirations all in one place. This helps me decide on my final start point or composition
I am in the process of doing a painting for DD’s birthday. She created a secret Pinterest Board, which she invited me to share, so we could both pin ideas to the same board. I also created a non secret board so I could share it with you here.
This is the space above the love seat that she wants to place a large abstract. Her home has a serene color palette of grays and whites
Breaking Waves in the foyer is visible from this point
And you can also see Falling Gold in the kitchen
She wants a very simple abstract in tones of white. Her style is contemporary modern, clean lines, uncluttered, minimal
Alot of the paintings on the Pinterest board are colorful, like this one above by Beatrice Dauge
And this one, below from Cerese Arts
I pinned them because I liked their composition
The colors would transform from bright hues to tones of white, cream and gray
I use small jars of sample paint when doing a large canvas, which is a real $ saver
These 8 oz. devine color paint jars from Target are $5 versus a 4.65 oz tube of heavy duty Liquitex acrylic at $16+
I also use the 8 oz sample size jars from the paint dept at Home Depot, you can get a variety of colors for about $3 I use the cheaper stuff for the underpainting and first layers, and save the pricier paint for the final finishing layers
I took this blank canvas over to their house so we could try it for size in the space
My SIL said “You know, you’re supposed to paint the canvas before you deliver it…”
“I did,” I exclaimed, “It’s a simple, white abstract, just what she wanted!” 😆
So stay tuned, we’ll see what happens!
Be Fearless!
………………………………………….
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Celebrate and Decorate, Rustic and Refined,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, A Stroll Thru Life
Tickle My Tastebuds, Wow Us Wednesday Crafty-Design-O-Rama
Full Plate Thursday, Work it Wednesday
Poofing the Pillows, Get Your DIY On
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You’re talent amazes me! Can’t wait to see what you do for your SIL, other than the “simple, white abstract!” LOL! ~Rhonda
How exciting! Cannot wait to see what you create. Great tips!!
Your painting posts are my favorites — can’t wait to see more!
The “girl with the hair” is so fun! Can’t wait to see more!
(Isn’t Pinterest the best invention since hot rollers?)
ha, YES! >
Jenna, can’t wait to see the SIL’a abstract! Happy weekend!!
Thanks Pam! >
Nothing is more intimidating to me than a big blank canvas. I have a space that needs a painting with some color and I’ve been considering creating my own masterpiece. lol. I’m always stopped by the thought of the preparation…gesso (which is expensive) and all that. I’m encouraged to see that you buy inexpensive alternatives.I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I love your art aesthetic and I always notice what you post on Pinterest. It all catches my eye!
Thanks Lorraine! It is scary, especially because art supplies are such an investment. Now wood panels are the big trend, but the finished fancy ones are just as expensive and canvas. One thing you can do is experiment on paper, get some freezer paper at the grocery or even your school and tape it together until you have the size of your painting and you can experiment before you commit to the canvas. One of my friends who exhibits in Fairhope and at the Grand Hotel paints only with house paint! Once you put a varnish on it none’s the wiser- The best part of painting with acrylic to me is that you can wipe it off or paint over it! Good luck, I am flattered to be an inspiration 🙂 >
Pinterest is truly wonderful for inspiration! Will be exciting to see how your project turns out. Have a wonderful week ahead!
Jenna, I am so impressed because abstract painting is so hard! Mine always looks like mud, so I’ve given up on it. J’adore the Falling Gold painting. So pretty!!!
Thanks Ricki Jill, I like to do abstracts but they are so subjective and my daughter is super hard to please, so fingers crossed she will like it!
Hello Jenna,
Thanks for sharing about getting started with painting and your tips at Cooking and Crafting with J&J!
Enjoy the week.
Julie xo
Jenna, I spied those devine color paint jars at Target and wondered about them! Your daughter is so lucky to have an artist mom provide originals for her home!
I love your artwork. You are one talented lady.
Thank you Debra! >
Oh, I can’t wait to see what comes of this. Thank you for sharing some of your process. I’m always so interested in how other artists work, and hearing about some of yours is great. Whatever you create for her, I know it will be fabulous. Have fun with it too. 🙂
Thanks Hope, it’s going to be a few weeks before I get back to it, and let me tell you, painting comes easily to me until it’s for my daughter! It is interesting to learn how different people approach their art- >
It’s going to be lovely! Can’t wait to see! Thank you so much for linking up and sharing at Dishing It & Digging It. We enjoy seeing your creativity each week! 🙂
Thanks Lori~ >
I would love to learn how to paint but my mercy, I cannot draw a straight line! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
You are just so talented!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!