Here is the painting I did for my sis and her fam after about ten layers of color and gold leaf: I used a ton of old paint I already had, a canvas that was half off from Michael's, a plastic spoon, water bottle, and piece of sand paper. Even with the gold leaf I spent less than $100 bucks on this piece, and I sell paintings in my store that are the same size and look for $2k.
At this point it was definitely too bright and I knew that I was going to tone down the entire thing with more white and then sand it to let the gold leaf and drips come through:
So I ended up here. I love it so much that I stopped messing with it until I can see it in the space. It is very pale and feminine right now so if I get it in place and find that it is too soft and girly, I will add another layer of gray over it. But sometimes you have to stop picking at it or you will regret it!
I also got my copy of Nate Berkus' book, The Things That Matter, yesterday and I read it in one night. I have to admit that I cried reading Nate's life story. I was not blown away by very many of the homes profiled in the book - maybe two projects including Nate's own reno, but the personal stories of why people have what they have and the emotions behind the "stuff" we keep makes this book a must-read. *Special props to Dr. Ruth and an amazing life story! Definitely different than any other design book on the market.
So happy weekend, friends! I will be working on the house of the people who mean the most to me in the world - hopefully my art will be one of their treasured things and make them happy every time they see it. Will reveal photos next week!
E
9 comments:
I am honestly IN LOVE with the painting before you toned it down (although I'm sure the toned down version will be great for your space!).
If you sold painting like that I would be very interested. Fabulous.
Thanks, Elyse. I can always make you one - the issue is shipping a 30 x 40 or bigger canvas! Also, I didn't count time into my cost analysis since it was for my sister. I worked on it every evening for about two weeks - so I think a painting like this would have to cost $800-$1000...maybe I should sell them! ha!
E
You SHOULD sell them! I think the total cost with shipping would kill me (I'm in Canada), but my god it's gorgeous. Put that shiz in your shop lady!
Elizabeth, you are so wrong! Making this kind of art is NOT easy. I can't count the number of times I looked at something and thought "I could do that," tried it, and it just didn't work! It seems easy to you because this is your thing, your talent. You definitely should consider if you want to do it for profit. It looks very Cy Twombly to me, and he is one of my favorite painters! I wish I had a sister like you:)))
You are right, Olya - I also try to copy things I like that don't turn out well. I guess I just mean that even if you just throw paint at a canvas it has more meaning than a plastic fake piece of "art", you know? I don't have kids, so my sis and her hubby and kids are my fam - I just want their house to be homey and cozy!
E
I love them both. I would love to see more bold ones. You should sell!
I absolutely agree. I really don't like the mass-produced art, it has no soul. I wish I had your skills! Since I have none, I have to buy, and you know how expensive good art can get. I've had a really good experience commissioning reproductions online (I can send you a link if you are interested). They mostly do classical paintings, but I've had them do contemporary ones and was blown away by the quality of work. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference... and they can do any size for a pretty reasonable price (starting around $200).
Can't wait to see the new photos of your sister's house! Thank you for sharing!
While we are on the subject of art, I'm killing myself trying to do a gallery wall here - did not know it was so hard! Have you ever done one?
Gorgeous art! You are so talented!
I didn't know that the book included his story. How interesting!
You're an artist!!! Seriously that painting is phenomenal E!
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